There may be no blues echoing around the pubs and venues for this year’s Belfast City Blues Festival owing to the Covid-19 crisis, but your fix of superb music will be delivered thanks to the virtual festival live from the Blues Bunker.
Saturday, June 27 sees 11 acts lined up to deliver from the Blues Bunker an entire eight hours of tunes.
From 2pm through to after 10.30pm the virtual fest sees local, national and international acts play for fans who need their music fix in these strange times.
Headliners are the Canadian Blues sensation The Johnny Max Band – an act guaranteed to get your toes tapping whether you are tuning in from your backyard or your bedroom.
The vast array of talent on display is a tribute to the pulling power of the Belfast City Blues Festival, as well as in the different climate of the pandemic.
“The wellbeing of our friends, fans, musicians and Blues family, alongside the amazing staff, volunteers, sponsors and festival team who support us every year out number one priority,” said festival director Seamus O’Neill.
“As we consider what we can do later in the year we’re pleased to host this special online show from the Blues Bunker.”
And, what a show it is. As well as The Johnny Max Band there will be The Lee Hedley Blues Band (live from Kelly’s Cellars), and Mirenda Rosenberg, who will be streaming all the way from the US.
Opening proceedings will be Sam Davidson’s Taste live from The American Bar, with sets following throughout the day.
Included are the Red Hot Roosters (live from Kelly’s Cellars), DD and The Delta Boys, Robin Bibi, Tony Villiers, Light, Christy Crow Black Chicken, and Dom Martin.
Seamus said that while they are considering a scaled back later in the year the June 27th show will again demonstrate the commitment to the best of musical talent.
“From an idea 11 years ago the Belfast City Blues Festival grew to such an extent that by 2019 22,500 visitors flocked to venues,” he said. “The success of the festival is testimony to what we can achieve when we come together.
“Thank you to everyone who has been part of the festival to date and I promise that in 2021 we will be back, bigger and better than ever.”
With the likes of Mirenda Rosenberg delivering her African American roots take on the blues, The Johnny Max Band’s ‘Roadhouse Soul, the exciting talent of Robin Bibi as well as the local stars the Belfast City Blues Bunker will be your essential online musical destination on Saturday
The Belfast City Blues Festival 2020 is un-funded and operating without sponsors, your support has been vital to our survival, thank you for your donations.
For more information, to register for tickets or make a donation go to https://bit.ly/2Bc8G2Z
Full Lineup
BELFAST CITY BLUES FESTIVAL
‘Live From The Bunker ‘
2pm – 2.55pm – Sam Davidson’s Taste
3.05.pm – 3.35pm – Mirenda Rosenberg (USA)
3.45pm- 4.15pm – DD & The Delta Boys
4.25pm – 5pm – Dom Martin
5.10pm – 5.40pm – Christy O’Hanlon from Crow Black Chicken
5.50pm- 6.40pm – The Red Hot Roosters
6.50 – 7.20pm – Tony Villiers
7.30pm – 8pm – Light
8.10pm- 8.40pm – Robin Bibi (London)
8.50pm – 9.40pm – Lee Hedley Band
9.50pm – 10.20pm – The Johnny Max Band (Toronto)
