The Winter Blues are back

AFTER two years of COVID cancellations, Echuca Moama’s legendary Winter Blues Festival is back in 2022, bringing some of Australia’s best blues and roots artists to town from July 28-31.

Celebrating its 22nd year, the Winter Blues Festival is a free event that takes place in the pubs, restaurants and cafes of Echuca’s historic port precinct, with more than 50 acts performing live across the weekend.

Event organiser Peter Williams said Echuca Moama turns into a mini New Orleans over the Festival weekend.

“The Winter Blues Festival is one of the best weekends of the year in Echuca Moama, with the town coming alive with music, food and a cruisey vibe,” Mr Williams said.

“The event is unique. There are no tickets and visitors can wander between venues as the sultry sounds of the blues fills the air of the Echuca Port precinct. Each venue showcases different acts and their distinctive brand of hospitality, serving up their best cuisine and local drops all weekend,” he said.

Venues that will be hosting acts across the weekend include The American Hotel, Star Hotel and riverside marquee, 1895 The Royal, Caledonian Hotel, Shamrock Hotel, Echuca Club, Henry’s Hotel, Radcliffe’s Port 53, The Odd Captain and the PS Canberra paddlesteamer.

Highlights from the program include Broderick Smith, Sweet Felicia & The Honeytones, 19 Twenty, Andrew Farrell the Piano Wizard, Bill Barber, Collard Greens & Gravy, Geoff Achison & The Souldiggers, Kelly Auty & The Extraordinary Gentlemen, Nardia and Rambal – among others.

The only ticketed event of the weekend is the famous Wrap Party, featuring a star-studded lineup of artists, collaborating and jamming in true blues style. This event is hosted at Radcliffe’s Port 53 and tickets are $35 per person.

To find out more, head to winterblues.com.au

For a list of accommodation options, head to echucamoama.com.au