When? Sat 21/06/2008

Where? De Link

For this festive edition, R.K.Blues programs three groups at a new location. It’s not the familiar room ‘de Kobbe’ in Rollemgem-Kapelle, but it’s in the roomy, practically appointed events room ‘De Link’ in St.-Eloois-Winkel that gets the preference for the 20th volume of R.K. Blues. This festival doesn’t strive for high, often impossible aims, it’s offering more of a nice, relaxed evening out with good music at an affordable price. It appears they’re very capable of that as ... Read more

When? Thu 19/06/2008

Where? cc de Steiger

RJ Mischo closes the spring season 2008 of On The Road sereen. The Red Hot Bluesband sailed, with captain RJ Mischo on the steering wheel, under Dutch-German flag. On board two people from the North of Netherland: Hein 'Little Boogieboy' Meijer on guitar and Jan den Boer as bass player; and from Berlin: Andreas Bock on drums. This quartet had never ever played together on stage and this was clearly to see during the time of the appearance. Between the songs there were frequently too long ... Read more

When? Sat 10/05/2008

Where? festivaltent

After organising a few successful festivals in the usual format, the guys from the Blues Store at the East Flemish Zele, decided to present a blues festival featuring only women at the microphone. A task that should not be taken lightly, it proved. Is it coincidence or just the unpredictable nature of the female species? It took quite a bit of effort, phone calls and stress to find three groups of that kind. In the end the “Storeboys” succeeded in their quest to align three ladies and get ... Read more

When? Sat 31/05/2008

Where? Hof Van Coolhem

It was with mixed feelings that we drove to Puurs, where last year a poster with a bang was presented. But knowing Gust, he doesn’t do things by halves when it comes to putting together a poster. Enquiries here and there with collegues and of course attending many gigs are part of it. Even though we set off in time, we were called back to base because of a domestic problem. This resulted in our schedule being completely messed up and us arriving late. So we missed Bass Papa, a band I’d ... Read more

When? Thu 22/05/2008

Where? CC de Steiger

With John Campbelljohn 'On The Road' puts another top musician on stage. From Paderborn (Germany) a quick roundtrip to Menen for a single concert on Belgian soil, because the day after the Eastern neighbours claimed this 'guitar wizard' again. Four more concert nights to go before returning across the open water, back to the home base. John comes from Cape Breton on the Nova Scotia (Can) Peninsula, separated from Newfoundland by a sea arm, but spends a considerable part of the year in Europe, ... Read more

When? Fri 09/05/2008 - Sat 10/05/2008

Where? Festivaltent Sportveld

On Friday, May 9th, just around 19.00 hrs, Lefthand Freddie had the honour to open the festival. The night before there already was room for some drinks, while enjoying live blues music in the local pub. But the 'real work' was due in the festival tent. For Freddie, these kinds of openings are no problem at all. With his experience playing both local gigs and international venues, he's the perfect act for a small pub audience, as well as a reasonably filled festival location. Freddie's set is ... Read more

When? Sun 11/05/2008 - Mon 12/05/2008

Where? Festival area

11-05-2008 Ribs & Blues Day 1 The Ribs and Blues festival is an every year returning event for blues fans. The inner part of The Raalte town is closed for traffic and there are organised all kinds of events. Dead tree sawing to make a sculpture. All kinds of playing for the younger people. Air cushion and booths with clothing, tatoes, of course the delicious Spare Ribs and a lot of beer taps. It’s really a family event for young and old. This year it was also beautiful weather, so what ... Read more

When? Sat 17/05/2008

Where? Festivaltent Toon mij een kaart

Fantastic Festival, But Who Expected Otherwise? Excellent line-up, quality based on originality, variation and authenticity: Spring Blues in the year 2008 was, looking back on this 21st edition, it was one of the best blues festivals ever in this area. Despite the pessimistic weather forecast, above they clearly thought otherwise; the clouds above Ecaussinnes looked sometimes threatening, but the sun showed itself regularly. And so it became a quarter to two, André Hobus was itching to ... Read more

When? Sun 11/05/2008

Where? CC Luchtbal Toon mij een kaart

What a weekend! On Friday we saw Kathleen Vandenhoudt & Tomboy (with Luc 'Luke Alexander' Jansen, René Stock and Arnout Hellofs, a genuine super group) at Aalter Statiekermis (East Flanders, between Gent and Bruges) The new material they recorded in December in Café De Buster in Antwerpen before a live audience, like Framed My Dad and Don't Ever Stop, is clearly becoming familiar stuff, but older songs like Never Forget also get a new lease of life in this combination. Kathleen as usual ... Read more

When? Wed 30/04/2008

Where? P.C. St.-Godelieve Toon mij een kaart

On the 23rd edition of the Night of the Blues the local hero Cerys opened. On the festival website she was announced as a solo artist, but she brought a bassplayer and a second guitar player/drummer along. This sympathetic lady was blessed with a beautiful voice, but htis had little to do with blues. It was still early, but those present enjoyed her 20 minutes of folk music. Next up were the Turnhout based The Baboons. This young band (early 20's) plays roots music in the widest sence. They ... Read more