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So far Editor has created 9 blog entries.

Is Byron Bluesfest a mess? If not, it will do until a mess comes along

By Dennis Atkins As Brisbane blues music fans gather at the Goodna Royal Mail this weekend for our regular jam afternoon, it’s likely that many will discuss the most significant story for our community in 2026. The recent collapse of the Byron Bay Bluesfest company, just over two weeks ago, is not only about the 36th event—scheduled to be headlined by Buddy Guy and Split Enz—not going ahead. This marks the end of the festival, and unless a wealthy benefactor comes to the rescue, there seems [...]

By |2026-03-24T20:06:11+10:00March 24th, 2026|(default), The Groove|

Buddy Guy and Sinners

By Dennis Atkins Buddy Guy didn’t take much convincing to accept a role in the Oscar-winning, Grammy-winning, and BAFTA-winning film Sinners, but he did need to understand why he should participate. The film's driving force—writer, producer, and director Ryan Coogler visited Guy, now 89 years old and touring with his new record Ain’t Done With The Blues, at his famous Chicago club, Legends, to make his case. As it turned out, it wasn't a hard sell. Guy recounted, “Well, he came in there, and I don’t [...]

By |2026-03-24T19:56:07+10:00March 24th, 2026|The Groove|

Blues Arcadia – “Well, It’s Over Now … I Guess I’m Movin’ On”

Words and photographs by Dennis Atkins There’s a song that always worked its way into Blues Arcadia’s repertoire. It was a band favourite and a genuine fan favourite, a song that had been on set lists since the Brisbane blues band became an institution in South East Queensland and beyond, going back a decade. Corner Girls is a sultry, slow blues earworm that gets feet tapping and hips swaying. Primarily about bad behaviour, discoverable on a few levels, this is also very much a “time’s up” song. [...]

By |2026-02-18T19:04:10+10:00February 18th, 2026|The Groove|

2026 – Memphis Blues Challenge Successes for 8 Ball Aitken and Taya Chani Band

Words by Dennis Atkins, photographs supplied by 8 Ball Aitken, Taya Chani and Zed Charles. While proud and enthusiastic South East Queensland blues ambassadors, 8 Ball Aitken and Taya Chani, were shivering on the streets of Memphis, Tennessee, in the first weeks of this year, they wasted no time warming up for the biggest international contest showcasing the music that started it all. The International Blues Challenge, the annual global battle of the bands and the head-to-head for duo and solo acts, brings together some 150 performers [...]

By |2026-04-13T12:43:22+10:00February 18th, 2026|The Groove|
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