Blues club hoping for blue skies for festival

BRILLEAUX GOT THE BLUES: Fresh back from a tour of the UK, the place where their hard Brit-blues was born, Tauranga band Brilleaux promise a rollicking set at Saturday’s free Waikanae Blues And Roots On 35 festival. Picture supplied

HIS clubmates might be watching the weather like hawks but Poverty Bay Blues Inc president Darren Hart reckons he’s not in the least bit worried.

“It looked a bit hairy for a while but even by Sunday it had started to turn for the better,” he said of the blues club’s hopes for a fantastic day for its inaugural free community festival.

“We’re ready for anything but, at this stage, it’s looking pretty darn good.”

In the year before their 10th anniversary, members of Gisborne’s blues music club have put countless hours into planning Saturday’s programme of music at the city’s Railway Reserve.

In a nod to the club’s ambition to see the region’s State Highway 35 identified as a “Blues Highway”, the event – which can cater for up to 3000 thanks to funding support of nearly $30,000 – has been dubbed Waikanae Blues And Roots On 35.

There will, of course, be live entertainment, starting with emerging artists from The Band School and club bands including Nigel Marshall’s “moveable feast” Huntaways, Jerram Fielder’s band Manphibian, soloist Richard Alexander and smaller ensembles Eru Tamanui and Friends, Lawrence And Toni, Eastslide Blues and Timelords.

Then, as the day turns into dusk, it will be time for the visiting headliners: Brit-blues practitioners Brilleaux and psychedelic rockers Brendon Thomas And The Vibes.

There will be food and drinks available from The Gisborne Deli, Black Fig Catering, The Hot Potato Truck, The Coffee Truck, Mr Whippy and the PBB Barbeque. Alcoholic drinks will be available at clearly defined R18 areas.

Being located on the banks of the Waikanae Creek means PBB has been able to plan some extra water-based entertainment. Mr Hart says the club is grateful to have one of the best spots in town to hold its festival and, for their part, reserve owners Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust were pleased to lend the space.

“Gisborne is our home and, as a responsible iwi, we aim to participate fully in its cultural, economic and social life,” said trust chief executive Alayna Watene.

“It is great to have free family events that showcase our region’s talent and attract visitors. Because of this we are really happy for Rongowhakaata Iwi property to serve as the festival venue and we look forward to seeing it grow in the coming years.”

Poverty Bay Blues, too, is keen to see the event grow, especially as it gears up for its 10th anniversary.

“There is such a wealth of talent here in Tairawhiti and what we do best as a club is acknowledge celebrate that,” Mr Hart said.

“We think with this festival, and the Blues Highway concept, we are going to help put Gisborne on the map.”

The free Waikanae Blues And Roots On 35 festival will be on at Railway Reserve on Saturday (noon-8pm).

Build-up supporting events:

Thursday – Live music from Huntaways and Poverty Bay Blues jam, Emerald Hotel (7.30pm).

Friday – Brendon Thomas And The Vibes pre-festival show, The Dome Room.

Saturday – Live music continues at the festival after-party, Smash Palace.

Sunday – The wind-down, Brilleaux unplugged, Smash Palace (4pm?).