Blues Train stokes next generation

THE Blues Train will, for the first time, feature a blend of emerging and established Australian contemporary blues and roots musicians in services throughout November.

The Next Generation Concert Series aboard the Queenscliff-based moving music venue is designed to showcase established artists who have contributed to the sustained success of the popular tourist attraction, as well as a lineup of new artists performing their interpretation of roots music.

“One of the greatest challenges of running a music venue for almost three decades is finding the right balance of high-profile artists, while still providing the opportunity for emerging artists to gain employment and profile, combined with valuable gig experience,” The Blues Train founder and curator Hugo T. Armstrong said.

“This often leads to collaborations and mentorships with established artists which otherwise would not happen.

“Another challenge of running a legacy venue is the ever-evolving music tastes and trends of audiences.

“For the first time, the Next Generation Concert Series has clarified these two challenges and created the opportunity to address them in a creative and engaging manner for artists and audiences alike.”

Armstrong has hand-picked established artists from the extensive Blues Train artist stable, focusing on those hit hardest by COVID-19 shutdowns. These include George Kamikawa, The McNamarr Project, Damon Smith, Anna Scionti, Nardia, The Mojo Corner, Mission Brown, Lazy Eye, Phil Para Band and King Canyon.

Up and comers in the series include 2020 International Blues Challenge Finalist Aaron Pollock, Geelong’s Jack Meredith, Warrnambool’s Eddy Boyle, Lazenby Recipient for Young Blues Guitarist of the Year Rhiannon Simpson, 2017 Connecting Song recipient Tex Miller, and Geelong jazz/blues artist Georgia Rodgers.

The original Blues Train format of four blues and roots artists per show – a solo artist, a duo, a trio, and a full band – remains the same.

As patrons swap carriages throughout the evening, they will see four completely different interpretations and styles of roots music.

In another first, The Blues Train will curate pre-travel and half-time entertainment by emerging and recently established artists on the Queenscliff and Suma Park Railway station platforms, culminating in special shows in and around the Queenscliff platforms on the last weekend in November.

There will also be a pop-up stage next to Queenscliff Railway Station during the Queenscliff Community Market featuring local mental health initiative Shedding The Blues.

The strength and reputation of the contemporary blues and roots scene in Geelong and the Bellarine region of Victoria will be boosted by showcasing the depth of local talent programmed in and promoted by Australia’s longest running blues and roots eenue, established in 1994, The Blues Train Next Generation Concert Series.

The Next Generation Concert Series will run on November 5, 12, 19, 25, 26 and 27.

For more information and tickets, head to thebluestrain.com.au

Emerging band White Lightning are part of the Next Generation Concert Series.