Bluesman home to headline RSA gig

Former Masterton musician Mike Rigg and Kapiti singer-songwriter Clare Christian headline the Cross Creek Blues Club show night. PHOTO/FACEBOOK

Wairarapa musician Mike Rigg is returning for a one-off performance at the Featherston RSA with Kapiti blues woman Clare Christian at the Cross Creek Blues Club show tomorrow night.

Rigg, 29, moved to Queenstown earlier this year to work as a tour guide after playing guitar in several working bands and completing a succession of band and solo recordings in Wairarapa.

Acts in which he played and recorded included four-piece Deaf Lemon and covers band Mister Groove. Rigg had also released two solo albums, Living for Now in 2007, recorded with John Mabey at Bassrick Studios in Carterton, and Moonlight in 2014, recorded at Paddy Addison's The Mobile studio in the same town.

Rigg had also taken the stage as a duet, before he left for Queenstown, with Kapiti-based singer-songwriter Clare Christian, performing covers and some of her original tunes.

Cross Creek Blues Club spokeswoman Linda Sorensen said Rigg will be part of the featured act at the club show night from about 7pm at the Featherston RSA.

"We will be privileged to have Kapiti's phenomenal blues woman, Clare Christian, on vocals and guitar along with her band," Ms Sorensen said.

"Clare has even managed to persuade Wairarapa's own Mike Rigg to return from the 'mainland' for this gig, so it will be an evening of blues that is sure to lift the roof off."

Ms Sorensen said the show comes after "a sensational evening" at the Village Cafe in Martinborough last month with Australian guitarist Nick Charles.

The show at the Messines Bar and Restaurant at the Featherston RSA tomorrow night will feature support from Murray Parker, Honky Tonk Heroes, Fire Maintenance Band, Stefan Brown, Nighthawk, and Chris Moses. Featherston RSA will be the third host venue for the club, she said, since losing its longtime base at the Tin Hut Hotel at Tauherenikau that closed earlier this year.

Entry costs $2 for members and $5 for non-members. Go online to crosscreekblues.org.