The Blues Train announces October shows

THE Blues Train has announced its schedule for October as the rolling music venue celebrates its 30th anniversary.

These shows will be the first for The Blues Train as it reopens for business after the winter and follows on from their April and May series.

The next events will begin on October 5 with The McNaMarr Project, Jarrod Shaw, Anna Scionti and Snake Eyed Rollers.

Blues Train founder and director Hugo T. Armstrong said he was looking forward to the diverse music on offer in the October Shows.

“There’s a lot of subgenres and what we try and do is a bit like a grazing table, you’re actually going to try a bit of everything over the night.

“It’s not the music of 100 years ago, it’s the music of today and it’s also represented by today’s artists.”

The train leaves from Queenscliff Station and heads along the old Geelong train line, stopping at Suma Park historic homestead and winery and then at Drysdale before turning around going back to Queenscliff.

Mr Armstong handpicks up to 10 musicians each event, promoting upwards of 300 Australian dontemporary blues and roots artists each year.

The audience swaps between the four carriages as they stop throughout the journey, so everyone will see a solo artist, a duet, a trio, and a full band.

A buffet dinner is included in every ticket.

Mr Armstrong describes the experience as a mini music festival in one night.

The Blues Train is Australia’s longest running Contemporary Blues and Roots music venue and is based on the Bellarine Heritage Railway.

Over the past 30 years, the train has played host to many musicians including The Tesky Brothers, Ash Grunwald, Mia Dyson and more.

Established in 1934, The Blues Train has provided live music to over 7,000 patrons annually.

Mr Armstong said what he had enjoyed the most over the past 30 years were the people who have turned up thinking they did not know what blues music was and ended up loving the experience, and that was what kept him going.

“You’re ultimately there to entertain people and provide them with a memory that will last them a lifetime.”

He thanked everybody who has donated, especially through COVID-19, and the government bodies who helped start shows again after the pandemic.

Tickets are still available for the April 27 and May 4 events as part of the Women in Blues program.

For more information, head to thebluestrain.com.au