As the 27th annual edition of Bluesrock descended upon a stirring Saturday evening it was clear this year's lineup was one of the strongest in recent memory.
Bluesrock, at the friendly suburban confines of the Openluchttheater de Doolhof in Tegelen, alongside the border town of Venlo has consistently earned a reputation as one of the finest single day music festivals to be found in Europe.
This year's informal theme could be cranked-up heavy metal blues behind the smoking guitars of performers like Los Lonely Boys and Robin Trower. A strong supporting cast kicks things off in the afternoon for what should lead to a night of righteous rocking.
The UK's Johnny Clark and the Outlaws open the show with traditional American blues, followed by Netherlands singer/songwriter Stefan Schill. Popular German bluesman Henrik Freischlader comes next, well equipped to set the stage for the emerging London duo known as Saint Jude who show no sign of lost causes after their well received recent debut recording.
Robin Trower promises to be a highlight for almost any electric guitar fan with his Jimi Hendrix style Stratocaster. Trower's extensive resume of rock collaborations speaks for itself and he'd be a worthy headliner on his own.
New York's Dana Fuchs has been making a joyful, hard edged noise with her modern bluesrock vocals so she seems like a perfect fit for this gala. Fuchs gained mainstream acclaim with her breakout performance in Broadway's “Love Janis" musical and hasn't looked back.
Grammy winning Texas family trio Los Lonley Boys were forced to cancel some European dates earlier in the year after bassist/vocalist Jojo Garza suffered vocal chord lesions, but now they're back tearing up the touring road. Garza brothers Henry (guitar/vocals) and well named drummer Ringo are also ready to roar for a region quite anxious to see them. The boys should be playing plenty of classic covers off their tribute album 1969 (Playing in Traffic,2010), in tandem with their own southwestern songbook.
Anticipation for Bluesrock 2010 has been high throughout the multi-national, bordering region. It says a lot that many people from nearby entertainment capitals like Amsterdam or Antwerp make the approximately two hour journey.
“Sometimes Bluesrock looks like a massive open-air dance party," observed All About Jazz correspondent Phillip Woolever. “Everyone goes with the idea of getting loose, and the result is one huge Holland hoedown."
Fans at Bluesrock are definitely among the most fun oriented, beer chugging, pipe smoking assemblies to converge on any type musical engagement. Bluesrock 2010 is proudly poised for adding to the local legend.
Bluesrock, at the friendly suburban confines of the Openluchttheater de Doolhof in Tegelen, alongside the border town of Venlo has consistently earned a reputation as one of the finest single day music festivals to be found in Europe.
This year's informal theme could be cranked-up heavy metal blues behind the smoking guitars of performers like Los Lonely Boys and Robin Trower. A strong supporting cast kicks things off in the afternoon for what should lead to a night of righteous rocking.
The UK's Johnny Clark and the Outlaws open the show with traditional American blues, followed by Netherlands singer/songwriter Stefan Schill. Popular German bluesman Henrik Freischlader comes next, well equipped to set the stage for the emerging London duo known as Saint Jude who show no sign of lost causes after their well received recent debut recording.
Robin Trower promises to be a highlight for almost any electric guitar fan with his Jimi Hendrix style Stratocaster. Trower's extensive resume of rock collaborations speaks for itself and he'd be a worthy headliner on his own.
New York's Dana Fuchs has been making a joyful, hard edged noise with her modern bluesrock vocals so she seems like a perfect fit for this gala. Fuchs gained mainstream acclaim with her breakout performance in Broadway's “Love Janis" musical and hasn't looked back.
Grammy winning Texas family trio Los Lonley Boys were forced to cancel some European dates earlier in the year after bassist/vocalist Jojo Garza suffered vocal chord lesions, but now they're back tearing up the touring road. Garza brothers Henry (guitar/vocals) and well named drummer Ringo are also ready to roar for a region quite anxious to see them. The boys should be playing plenty of classic covers off their tribute album 1969 (Playing in Traffic,2010), in tandem with their own southwestern songbook.
Anticipation for Bluesrock 2010 has been high throughout the multi-national, bordering region. It says a lot that many people from nearby entertainment capitals like Amsterdam or Antwerp make the approximately two hour journey.
“Sometimes Bluesrock looks like a massive open-air dance party," observed All About Jazz correspondent Phillip Woolever. “Everyone goes with the idea of getting loose, and the result is one huge Holland hoedown."
Fans at Bluesrock are definitely among the most fun oriented, beer chugging, pipe smoking assemblies to converge on any type musical engagement. Bluesrock 2010 is proudly poised for adding to the local legend.
