Historic venues, hometown hospitality, & a weekend of australia’s best blues & roots — only in Echuca-moama
19-TWENTY - 8 BALL AITKEN - ALLY ROW - ANNA SCIONTI - BAG O' NAILS
BEK JENSEN - BILL BARBER & THE HOLDING CELL - CASS EAGER - CHARLIE BEDFORD - CHECKERBOARD LOUNGE - CLAUDE HAY & THE KUNG FU MUSTARD
COLLARD GREENS & GRAVY - COREY LEGGE - DOC HALIBUT - EDDY & THE EXCITERS - FOOLS - GEOFF ACHISON - GEORGE MACFLOYD BLUES BAND
GLENN SKUTHORPE BAND - INGRID & THE MINISTERS - JARROD SHAW
JIMI HOCKING'S BLUES MACHINE - JUNGLE JIM SMITH - KARL S. WILLIAMS & SALLY WIGGINS - KANE VINCENT - KATHLEEN HALLORAN - LIZA OHLBACK & THE MERCY TRAIN - LOUISE MACGREGOR - LUKE HARRINGTON - LUKE O'CONNOR - MADI COLVILLE WALKER MARSHALL & THE FRO - MIKE ELRINGTON - NATHAN CAVALERI - NICK CHARLES - OH BABE! - OSCAR
LADELL OZONE STREET - PAUL BUCHANAN'S BLUES XPRESS - PETE
CORNELIUS - PHIL COYNE & THE WAYWARD ACES - PHIL PARA - RAMBAL
ROD PAINE & THE FULLTIME LOVERS - SALT & STEEL - SAMMY OWEN BLUES BAND - SARAH MACKENZIE-ROSS - SHANE PACEY TRIO - SILENT VOICES
SMOKE STACK RHINO - STILL BILEVE - SWEET FELICIA & THE HONEYTONES
SWEET TALK - TAYA CHANI - THE HEAVY KICKS - THE LOCKY UKERS
THE MASKELL LOVE BAND - THE MOJO CORNER - THE RORY PHILLIPS TRIO THE WINDSAVERS - ZEVON LEE TRIO
Rolling into 25 years of beats
In 1999, Kylie Suich sparked an idea that would become the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival.
Peter Williams was there from the beginning, helping bring that vision to life.
A few years later, he stepped in to lead the festival, guiding it with passion and commitment for over two decades.
From humble beginnings to a nationally recognised event, Peter’s leadership and deep community ties helped shape the Winter Blues Festival into a cornerstone of Echuca-Moama’s cultural identity.
The 2025 Winter Blues Festival is more than a milestone — it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and continuity.
Over four days, our twin towns will come alive with the sounds of blues music, echoing through laneways, venues, and open-air stages.
With a stellar line-up of returning favourites and exciting new artists, there’s something for everyone — whether you’re a seasoned festival-goer or discovering the magic for the first time.
We’re proud to share that the festival was honoured to win the Community Impact Award at the 2024 Campaspe Murray Business Awards and was nominated for the 2025 Australia Day Awards.
These recognitions reflect the heart of this event — its ability to bring people together, uplift local culture and leave a lasting legacy.
This is a free, family-friendly event that welcomes all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
From the Sherridon Homes Family Space to the Winter Blues Festival Stage on Little Hopwood St, local cafés, pubs, and even the library, the festival embraces a wide range of experiences.
As an all-weather event, we’ve created safe, joyful spaces for connection and celebration — rain, hail, or shine.
Thanks to support from the Revive Live government initiative, we’re investing in the long-term sustainability and inclusivity of the festival.
This year, we’re proud to introduce Auslan interpreters and haptic vests at the Hopwood Gardens Rotunda Stage on Saturday.
We also invite you to join us there for the Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony — a powerful moment of reflection and respect.
Festival highlights
¡ The 25-Year Festival Exhibit at the Echuca Moama Historical Society — a tribute to the people, places, and performances that shaped our story
¡ A nightly light show (Thursday to Saturday) on Murray
The Riv’s Winter Blues podcast
you’ll also find our full list of supporters and sponsors — their generosity makes this event possible.
This festival is co-ordinated by a not-for-profit committee of dedicated volunteers.
Esplanade outside St Anne’s Winery
¡ Our new branding and fresh merchandise — available at the merch van outside Port Ice Creamery
¡ A chance to win a one-of-akind, festival-inspired fourstring guitar — raffle tickets available at the merch van
¡ The Wrap Party at Radcliffe’s — featuring a curated line-up of ‘Best of the Festival’ artists (tickets via Moshtix)
Download the Winter Blues app — your pocket guide to artists, venues, and scheduling. You can also find a PDF version of the program at www.winterblues.com.au, where
Cape Horn
This year at The Riv, we’re doing things a little differently, with a Winter Blues podcast, in addition to the event wrap.
Put together by Riv journalist Jaci Hicken, the podcast chats to 19 Twenty’s Kane Dennelly, Lousie Macgregor and Nathan Cavaleri
services, and our generous community.
Behind-the-scenes, this event is powered by their tireless effort, supported by local businesses, emergency services, and our generous community.
We thank our sponsors, including Moama Bowling Club, Campaspe Shire, Murray River Council, Rich River Golf Club, Sherridon Homes, Savage Force, Vast Creative, the Riverine Herald, Rhythm Section, and many more.
Bowling the Riverine Herald, Rhythm
We love hearing your stories — how the festival has touched your life, sparked friendships, or inspired creativity.
After your visit, please take a moment to complete our festival survey: https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/2025WinterBluesFestival
As we gather to celebrate music, culture, and community, let’s honour the past, embrace the present, and look boldly toward the future.
Let’s shake off the winter blues together.
Laurelin Berick Winter Blues Festival Inc chairperson.
To listen to the podcast and Jaci’s full chats with Kane, Louise and Nathan, including who they recommend not to miss at the 2025 EchucaMoama Winter Blues Festival, go to Riverine Herald’s Winter Blues podcast on Spotify and iTunes.
Monika Feuerstein and Liz Deangelis dancing to the The Detonators at Bridge Hotel in 2014.
Cover: Nathan Cavaleri.
19 Twenty’s Kane Dennelly is performing with his band at the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues.
Guitar virtuoso lights it up
Melbourne guitarist and singer-songwriter
Kathleen Halloran is making waves in the Australian music scene, blending technical guitar mastery with intimate songwriting in her rising solo career.
“I’ve been prevalent in the blues and session scene for about 10 years as a lead guitarist and in the last 12 months, launched my solo career as a singer-songwriter,” Kathleen said.
Her music defies simple categorisation, drawing from various genres.
“It is pop, it is very guitar-driven, it is kind of bluesy, it is pretty rocky, but all within the pop forms,” she said.
“I try to write music that is a great vehicle for a live jam.”
Kathleen’s journey with guitar began early.
“I started when I was 10 years old and I had no idea what I was doing, I was just sort of make-believe pretending,” she said.
“When I was about 13, I started formal lessons and I’ve been
gigging since I was 16 and never looked back.”
Her musical influences span generations and genres.
“My inspirations are Ian Moss, Cold Chisel, Mark Knopfler and Derek Trucks,” she said.
For songwriting, she draws inspiration from different sources.
“Madison Cunningham, St Vincent, Megan Washington. I love music that lives in the pop world, but has really lovely twists and turns and is interesting.”
Kathleen is set to perform at the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival with her trio of bass, drums and guitar including musicians Jimmy Hocking and Jeff Atchison.
“Last year, I found Winter Blues amazing.
“The whole town is just lit up with music from the moment you wake up, to the moment you go to sleep.
“Everyone you bump into in the street is a friend or a colleague and it is just a great vibe.
“By the third gig, I feel like I’m a better player from just being there soaked in the scene, the culture and the people.”
¡ Thursday, July 24 at the Echuca Hotel at 6pm.
24 TO 27 JULY
Kathleen Halloran plays Winter Blues:
Kathleen Halloran’s music is full of rock and pop.
Photo: Jason Rosewarne.
Photo: Sean Clohesy.
Cool journey from afro origins
Marshall Okell, frontman of Marshall and the Fro, has been creating music on the far north coast of NSW for nearly three decades, carving out a successful career that has supported his family through his unwavering dedication to his craft.
Marshall and the Fro which is preparing to release its sixth album Hillbilly Disco by year’s end, got its name from its original line-up.
“The original bass player Nick looked like Ronald McDonald, six foot three with a big strawberry blond afro, and the original drummer looked like a little poodle with a tight knit afro,” Marshall said.
While maintaining a steady schedule of 170 solo gigs annually, Marshall performs with his current band members including Grant Gerathy, former John Butler Trio drummer, and bassist Nick Lemmet, whom Marshall has known since helping with Nick’s HSC music pieces.
“We treat the music
really seriously, but we don’t treat ourselves too seriously,”
Marshall said.
“We just get up there and try to have a ball and try to get as many people in the audience to join in with us and have fun.”
Marshall’s musical style has evolved over the years, influenced by artists like Johnny Winter, Little Feat, Jimmy Hendrix and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
“As I am getting older, the music is pulled back more and more bluesy and a bit more swampy,” he said.
Marshall and the Fro’s upcoming Winter Blues performance will feature special guest Manzi, known for his washboard and harmonica skills from his days with Hat Fitz.
“He plays the washboard with 308 shells on his fingers,”
Marshall said, recounting a memorable story about a helpful sheep farmer who provided fresh shells for Manzi’s performance at last year’s Winter Blues.
“When we got to our first gig, this old skinny sheep farmer rocked up and goes, ‘I’ve got some 308 shells. I shot them off
for you this morning.
“I thought that sums him up in a nutshell.”
Marshall is looking forward to just walking around Winter Blues and taking in heaps of music.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Collards, Greens and Gravy, as I haven’t seen him in a while, and Nick Charles is always good.
“Mojo Corner, they are groovy and 8 Ball and 19 Twenty, they always put on a good show.
“I will just check out whatever and see, hopefully, I see something new that I haven’t seen before, which is always the best part about the festival.”
Marshall and the Fro play Winter Blues:
¡ Friday, July 25 at the American Hotel at 10pm
¡ Saturday, July 26 at the Beechworth Bakery at 1pm
¡ Saturday, July 26 at the Echuca Hotel at 4.15pm
¡ Sunday, July 27 at the Star Hotel at 4.30pm.
CONGRATULATIONS TO
Campaspe Shire and Murray River Councils congratulate the volunteer committee behind the annual Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival for delivering an international-standard music festival across the years. We look forward to the ongoing success of the festival, which is a major drawcard for our region.
Marshall and the Fro’s Winter Blues performance will feature special guest Manzi, known for his washboard and harmonica skills, with Marshall excited to explore and enjoy the festival’s diverse music offerings.
Foot-stomping rhythms rock
Blues and roots band 19 Twenty continues to electrify audiences across Australia with their high-energy performances and distinctive sound that blends foot-stomping rhythms with raw energy.
Formed in 2010, the three-piece outfit features Kane Dennelly on vocals and guitar, Jeremy Berg on drums, and John Gwilliam on double bass.
The band has become a festival circuit favourite, performing at prestigious events including Byron Bay Bluesfest, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Blues on Broadbeach and 10 years playing Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival.
“Every weekend we’re away somewhere,” Kane said.
“We were just up in Cairns yesterday, and the
weekend before that, we were in Yackandandah, at the bottom of the Victorian High Country, we’re all over the shop.”
The band is currently on their Just Don’t Tour, which culminates at Winter Blues in Echuca.
The Echuca festival holds special significance for 19 Twenty.
“The crowds, the atmosphere, the town, everything. It’s one of those ones that when you go, should we do this gig? It ticks every single box,” Kane said.
“It sort of kicked us off into the festival scene in Victoria, actually.
“The first one we played, I think we did six three-hour gigs, which is something that we’ve never done.
“Actually, we did it the year after, but it’s something we’d never done to that point, and it’s madness.
“I’ll never do it again, but it put us in front of a lot of people.”
Kane now finds that anytime 19 Twenty plays in Melbourne, there will always be people in the audience who have seen the band at Winter Blues.
Kane’s recommendation to catch at this year’s Winter Blues is Pete Cornelius and the Mojo Corner.
“He is one of my favourite guitarists in the country, Pete Cornelius,” he said.
“And I really love the Mojo Corner. They are a killer band from Melbourne. I think they’re probably super underrated, and a lot more people should know about them.”
19 Twenty plays Winter Blues: ¡ Thursday, July 24 at the American Hotel at 8.30pm
¡ Saturday, July 26 at the Echuca Hotel at 7.15pm
¡ Sunday, July 27 at the Shamrock Hotel at 2pm 19
winter blues race
day FRIDAY 25 JULY GATES OPEN 11AM
On Friday 25 July, the Winter Blues Race Day at Echuca is as real as it gets! Kick off the Echuca Moama Winter Blues Festival with a day full of heart-pounding races and incredible live blues performances. It’s a celebration of music, excitement, and community - all rolled into one unforgettable event. LIVE BLUES MUSIC
+ Eddy & The Exciters + Phil Coyne & The Wayward Aces + Sweet Felicia and The Honeytones FREE SHUTTLE BUSES
+ Starting from 10:45am + Last bus leaves racecourse 6:00pm
Twenty at The Echuca Hotel in 2024.
New tunes captivate audiences
Louise Macgregor is set to bring her unique blend of singer-songwriter style to Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival, following her successful international performances and artistic residency in France.
“I write songs, that is my thing, I have been doing that forever,” Louise said, who previously performed with the folk-acoustic band Louis and the Pride, and currently collaborates with Daniel Mays in their recording project, Longley Lane.
Louise typically performs either solo or alongside Sam Pollock from The Ratbags.
“Sam does some amazing effects and electric guitar to add beautiful vibes to me and my guitar,” she said.
Her musical influences span across various genres, drawing inspiration from iconic acts.
“I am heavily influenced by a bit of a mix, like Crowded House, Fleetwood Mac, Tori Amos, Portishead and Madonna,” she said.
“The Eagles were heavily rotated in my household growing up.”
Louise has new and fresh material from a recent artist
residency at a French château.
“We just dedicated time to our art and had little moments where we could trek off and see live music, galleries or old ruins for inspiration,” Louise said.
“It was just magical, and I haven’t been anywhere like that before, so I thought I would make it worth my while and lock in some gigs while I was over there, playing shows in Paris, Le Mons and London, with a couple of open mics in Edinburgh.”
After a successful set on the Homegrown stage in 2024, at this year’s Winter Blues, Louise will perform three sets of her own, featuring new material developed during her international travels.
“Sam and I have been working on arranging, making new arrangements for my new songs,” she said.
“I will be doing a fair bit of Louis and the Pride songs, just in a different way, because they lend
themselves to Winter Blues.”
At this year’s Winter Blues, Louise is excited to watch sets by her fellow Bendigo boys, expressing admiration for fellow musicians, particularly Luke Harrington and Bill Barber.
“I also find the Checkerboard Lounge very inspiring” Louise said.
“I don’t often get to see them, and when I have, I just sit there and, Oh my gosh, the voice on that guy, the type of songs, just sweep me away.
“I always walk away inspired as a musician.”
Louise Macgregor plays Winter Blues:
¡ Saturday, July 26 at the Beechworth Bakery at 10am
¡ Saturday, July 26 on the Winter Blues Festival Stage in Little Hopwood St at 2.30pm
¡ Sunday, July 27 at the Echuca Wharf at 10.30am.
Soulful blues hit the spot
Australian blues guitarist Nathan Cavaleri is returning to the EchucaMoama Winter Blues Festival, where he will perform solo with his signature blend of blues rock.
“When you strip out all the production and all of the flavours, you get back to the roots of what is underneath all the songs,” Nathan said.
“I would say my set is probably even more bluesy than what the studio recordings are, because the production and all the different sounds take it somewhere else.”
Playing solo, Nathan is using his stomp, guitar and a sampler for simple beats
“I’ll solo more, I whip out the slide, but I also like to tell stories in between my songs as well,” he said.
“I think there is one song where I probably solo for a good 10 minutes.
“So, for the guitar lovers out there, I hope you will still be happy, there is still those moments throughout the set, but it is very much song driven as well.”
His latest studio album, Miracles, showcases his
His emotional playing style, particularly notable in his early years, was shaped by his experience fighting leukaemia.
“I had learned enough skills to be able to express myself emotionally through my guitar,” Nathan said.
A wish granted by the Starlight Foundation led to a meeting with Mark Knopfler from Dire Straits, catalysing media exposure, which resulted in appearances on Hey Hey It’s Saturday, and eventually led to a signing with Michael Jackson’s label.
As a child, he went on to tour with BB King and other musical icons.
evolution as an artist, incorporating various musical styles beyond traditional blues.
“Miracles is all my years of development, and all of my influences put into one,” he said.
“I think the biggest key difference between what I release now and what I was releasing as a kid is that everything was expressed through the guitar, because that was all I knew how to do.
“Now, I can use all those
different skills to communicate a point and hopefully inspire some feelings that people don’t normally permit themselves to feel.”
Nathan recalls BB King telling the media he was “the future of blues”, which initially made him nervous about releasing music that ventured beyond the genre.
“BB King was always an advocate for being authentic. He used to say, you just gotta be yourself, like be you,” he said.
His recent release Live at the Wheaty, recorded at Adelaide’s Wheatsheaf Hotel, marks his first live album.
The recording was mixed by legendary engineer Andrew Scheps, known for his work with artists such as Michael Jackson, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Lana Del Rey.
“The blues is where it all started for me”, Nathan said, who learned to play guitar from his father.
After taking time away in his 20s to explore production and writing, Nathan experienced what he describes as “a big walk through the dark woods for about three or four years.”
“You’ve got to put yourself out there in the most authentic way and you will attract people who align with that,” Nathan said, who has now released three albums as an adult.
Nathan Cavaleri plays Winter Blues:
¡ Saturday, July 26 at Radcliffe’s at 7.15pm
¡ Sunday, July 27 at the Hopwood Gardens at 1.30pm.
Louise Macgregor’s new songs will captivate audiences.
Nathan Cavaleri is playing solo at Winter Blues.
Creative kids jazz up guitars
The chilly weather was the perfect backdrop for some indoor fun for children on Wednesday, July 9.
Children gathered at Echuca library for some Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival guitar painting sessions.
The guitar painting sessions are just some
of the fun activities for children to enjoy these school holidays.
The Riv photographer Jordan Townrow headed along to a couple of the sessions.
The winners of the best decorated guitar will be announced on Wednesday, July 23 at the ceremony at the Echuca Library at 5.30pm.
Important information
From Thursday, 24 July – Sunday, 27 July, the historic Port of Echuca’s heritage precinct and surrounding venues will come alive with some of the country’s best blues musicians.
Here is your guide for being ready for this great event.
Road Closures & Traffic Management
To support the increased number of people and vehicles into the port precinct, the following traffic management will be implemented for the weekend:
¡ High St (from roundabout to roundabout) will become 40kph.
The following roads will be closed to traffic both Saturday and Sunday:
¡ Radcliffe St Car Park (Beechworth Bakery),
¡ Little Hopwood Street between High Street and Murray Esplanade,
¡ Watson St between Law Crt Place and Hopwood Place,
¡ Murray Esplanade between Leslie Street and Hopwood Place.
¡ Law Court Place and Hopwood Place (extension of Murray Esplanade up to Watson, port side only).
¡ Patrons will be encouraged to use additional parking at the Old Pump Station and High St Carparks.
¡ Traffic bollards will mark the bus stop for the Event Shuttle Bus near St Georges Square, High St.
¡ Crowd barriers will once again be placed in the median strip along High St, encouraging pedestrians to cross at set locations.
¡ To keep the flow of traffic moving on the corners of High Street, vehicles will only be able to turn left out of Leslie Street and Radcliffe Street onto High Street.
Any person drinking at a licensed venue will NOT be allowed to take their drink with them to another venue. Alcohol can only be consumed in designated redline areas, and patrons cannot walk around the street consuming alcoholic drinks. Anyone found in possession of an open alcohol container in an undesignated area will be issued with an infringement notice. Victoria Police have advised they will be heavily enforcing this requirement over the entire weekend. Patrons who fail to comply will be issued with a fine.
Jimmy Cashin, 7.
Georgie Rose, 7.
Taazaz Hoque, 5, and Tasmiah Hoque.
Bek brings retro-soul and funk
Central Coast artist Bek Jensen is bringing her unique blend of retro-soul, funk and blues to audiences, drawing from a rich musical heritage as the daughter of two musicians.
“I am a musician, a Sydney musician, who was born and raised by two fantastic musicians themselves,” Bek said.
“I grew up on the road and was fortunate to experience the best of Australian music through the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s.”
Her journey in music began early, performing with her mother at the famous Kings Cross venue, Springfields.
She has since established herself as both an independent artist and a sought-after backing vocalist, working with Australian music icons including Cold Chisel, Jimmy Barnes, The Sleepy Jackson and Lachy Doley.
“I’ve done lots of tours with amazing artists as a professional backing vocalist,” she said.
“But my passion is I love writing music and sharing my story with the world.”
Bek’s independently released album Energy, recorded and co-produced with Declan Kelly at
The Nest Studio in Sydney, showcases her evolution as an artist.
“My passion really lies in soul roots and funk music is where I am at, I love the way it makes me feel,” she said.
“I love exploring my craft and ways to connect with the audience through those styles of music.”
Drawing inspiration from musical legends, Bek said, “Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and the incredible classic artists. I would say I am heavily influenced by those people, as well as funk acts like Earth, Wind and Fire, Sly Stone, and Prince.”
She will be performing four shows at the Winter Blues festival, including an intimate ticketed performance on the MV Mary Anne.
“I am looking forward to the solo show on the MV Mary Ann, because I’ll get to pull it back a little bit and go into the space
of how I wrote the songs, and be a little bit more intimate and personal,” Bek said.
For her other three shows at Winter Blues, Bek will be performing as a trio in a powerful show full of blues, funk and soul that will leave you spellbound in a kind of roller boogie wonderland.
“I will definitely be bringing some fire, that comes from within, ready to take it into fifth gear,” Bek said.
Bek Jensen plays Winter Blues:
¡ Friday, July 25, at the Echuca Hotel at 11pm
¡ Saturday, July 26, on the MV Mary Ann at noon — tickets www.maryann.com.au
¡ Saturday, July 26, at Radcliffe’s at 9.15pm
¡ Sunday, July 27, at Henry’s Bridge Hotel at 2pm.
Bek Jensen will be performing at the Winter Blues festival, including an intimate show on the MV Mary Ann and trio performances filled with blues, funk and soul. >
Racing into Winter Blues
The bet365 Echuca Racecourse is combining live thoroughbred racing with blues performances on Friday, July 25 for Winter Blues at the Races.
Free shuttle buses will operate on a continuous loop from multiple locations in Echuca and Moama, starting at 10:45am until 6pm.
Pick-up points include opposite the Echuca Hotel, The Caledonian Hotel, The Border Inn and Moama Bowling Club.
The event features three prominent blues acts throughout the day, Eddy & The Exciters at noon, followed by Paul Coyne & The Wayward Aces from 2pm and Sweet Felicia & The Honeytones from 4pm.
Gates open at 11am with general admission priced at $15 for adults, while children aged 17-and-under enter free.
The first 200 tickets are being offered free with a limit of four per email address.
Visitors can choose between general admission or the Pavilion Dining experience, which offers country dining with panoramic views of the track and the winning post.
To purchase tickets for ‘Winter Blues at the Races’, visit countryracing.com.au/ Echuca
Eddy and the Exciters
Blues musician Eddy Boyle and his band, Eddy and the Exciters, are set to deliver their signature blend of original material and blues classics.
“I’m a blues musician, harmonica player, singer songwriter,” Eddy said, whose musical journey began at age four after hearing the blues classic She’s tough by Jerry McCain.
“My auntie gave me a harmonica and said, ‘Take it and blow on it,’ and I’ve been doing that since then.”
The band will perform at two venues,
featuring different line-ups.
“We have Mark Greenway on guitar for the Friday gig at the races and Troy Love on guitar for the gig at the Echuca Hotel on Saturday,” Eddy said.
“With Tim Conlon on bass and Raf Marino on the drums, so a four-piece.”
Eddy’s musical influences span across blues and jazz genres, having always been interested in old American roots music.
“I like William Clark, Kim Wilson on the modern side of things for the harmonica,” he said.
“I like a lot of jazz as well, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Count Basie.”
The performances will showcase a diverse repertoire.
“It will be blues, with some jump blues thrown in,” Eddy said.
“I will be playing some original stuff and some classic blues covers.”
Eddy’s picks at this year’s Winter Blues include the Windsavers, Collard, Greens and Gravy and Sweet Felicia.
Eddy Boyle - Eddy and the Exciters play Winter Blues
¡ Friday, July 25 at the Echuca Racing Club at noon.
¡ Saturday, July 26, at the Echuca Hotel at 11am.
Phil Coyne and the Wayward Aces
Phil Coyne and The Wayward Aces are making waves on the Australian blues scene with their distinctive fusion of Chicago blues, rockabilly swing, and garage surf drive.
A promoter once described the band as a “no holds barred, ass kicking, original Australian Blues”.
Phil Coyne, who started his musical journey at 19, is the singer and song writer behind the music of Phil Coyne and the Wayward Aces.
“I had no reason other than a cliche to pick it up; I’d split up with my girlfriend and decided that I needed to do something with my life and I chose to pick up the harmonica,” he said.
His early influences included Mississippi Delta music, but for the past two decades, he’s been drawn to amplified harmonica sounds.
“I really love the sound of a harmonica through an amplifier, where you can get it to sound like a saxophone,” he said.
“The harp for me, it really drives the band.”
Musical legends like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Little
“Chris Wilson was an incredible player and a great, brilliant performer, great influence,” Phil said.
“When we perform, I have the best time in my life. I don’t leave anything on the stage.”
Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones
Sweet Felicia, one of Australia’s most respected blues bass players and vocalists, is set to return to performing after an 18-month break at the upcoming Winter Blues festival.
Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones will fill any dance floor and your souls with the love of the blues, swing and jump blues that is.
“I am a bass player, vocalist, band leader, songwriter, so I kind of do everything really,” Felicia said, who has been leading her own band since 1999.
Her musical journey began at age 12 with guitar, transitioning to bass at 19.
“We are at the races on Friday, and it is such a fun day,” she said.
“The music and the horse racing kind of goes really well together and we are considerate of each other.
“Hopefully I’ll get a chance to catch up with some mates while I’m at Winter Blues.
“Some other great artists are performing all through the festival,” she said, mentioning performers including 19 Twenty, Collard Greens and Gravy, and Anna Scionti. Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones play Winter Blues:
¡ Thursday, July 24 at the Shamrock at 6pm
¡ Friday, July 25 at the Echuca Racing Club at 4pm
¡ Saturday, July 26 at the Caledonian Hotel at 5.30pm
¡ Sunday, July 27 at Radcliffe’s at 12.30pm.
“I write a lot of my own songs, but we also do covers, but they are generally from the ’40s and the ’50s and my big influence, really is swing music.
also do covers, but they are generally from
“Swing, what they call jump blues, which is kind of derived from big band swing, but more guitar oriented and in a smaller group.”
Felicia’s musical influences are deeply rooted in swing and jump blues.
“I still love big band music, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan and all those types of artists from the ’50s,” she said.
“But I find that the music I am drawn to is generally by women who played an instrument.”
The upcoming festival will see Felicia performing at multiple venues.
Walter have shaped his style, along with Australian icon Chris Wilson.
Phil Coyne and the Wayward Aces
Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones
Eddy and the Exciters
From humble beginnings to major festival
This year the 25th anniversary of the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival.
With the assistance of the Echuca Historical Society Inc., The Riv has compiled a brief timeline detailing the event’s origins and its evolution over the years.
The information has been taken from a special exhibition celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival, which has opened at the Echuca Historical Society Museum, showcasing the event’s remarkable growth from humble beginnings to a major regional festival.
The Winter Blues Festival was founded by a small group of businesspeople, who at the time, was led by Echuca Moama Business and Trades Association subcommittee Heritage Precinct Traders president Kylie Suich.
Originally called the ‘Beat the Winter Blues’, Ms Suich, a trader at the time, thought of starting the festival after seeing how ‘dead’ the town was through winter, wanting to bring some life to it.
She recently told The Riv, “I wanted to bring some life into the town in the dead of winter.”
“At the time, we had the jazz festival and the Southern 80 happening in the summer, and I thought about what we could do to liven up the town in the winter.”
On Sunday, July 25, 1999, a six-hour Beat the Winter Blues Festival took place between 10am and 4pm. Not just music, but a lot more for the whole family.
The first event included fairy tarot reading, face painting, stilt walkers, clowns, trick cycling, gourmet food tasting, lace crocheting competition, poetry readings, donut and ice-cream eating competitions, wine tasting, flower show, street theatre,
waiters racing, spinning and craft demonstrations, storytime for under fives, weird hair colour competition, spin a yarn about your black billy, heritage hunt and much, much more.
Not just blues, at the ‘Beat the Winter Blues’ in 1999 bands covered jazz, Irish, hard rock, ’70s songs, top 40 covers, country rock, folk, country and western with a brass band and buskers.
Ms Suich left Echuca after the second running of the event and the EchucaMoama Winter Blues Festival was then led by Peter Williams, Campaspe Shire councillor, four-time mayor and hardworking volunteer.
Mr Williams and the Winter Blues Festival Committee wanted to host an event that would draw visitors to the quiet, wintery town of Echuca.
Sadly, Mr Williams passed away in August 2022.
He had led and guided the Winter Blues Festival Committee for many years, and was pivotal in growing the festival from a Sunday afternoon with a handful of performers in the Port to a four-day event with 50 artists in over 20 locations in and around Echuca.
A brief timeline of the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival
1999 ~ 2000 to 3000 people attend the first festival, originally called ‘Beat the Winter Blues, a six-hour event running from 10am to 4pm with diverse family activities and music genres beyond blues.
2000 ~ Some venues extend their hours for the festival to 6pm.
2001 ~ At least double the attendance of 1999 and 2000, with an estimated 4000 to 6000 people. There was an increased number of bands and the Echuca Art Group exhibition became a regular event. Some of the restaurants and hotels kicked off Saturday night blues.
2002 ~ About 5000 people attended. The event received a $1500 State Government grant, Tisdall’s Wines became a major sponsor, and there was a Friday night kickoff at the Paramount Theatre. An estimated $3 million was spent in Echuca-Moama over the weekend.
2003 ~ More than 5000 people went along. The event was expanded to two days, Saturday and Sunday, and combined paddle steamers and blues music.
2004 ~ Blues bands played at four venues, Radcliffe’s, Oscar W’s, the Bridge Hotel, the Star Wine bar, with street entertainment on Saturday and Sunday.
2005 ~ There was Friday night dining and blues music and Saturday night street theatre, Enchanted River, two arts displays and a buskers’ competition.
2006 ~ 17 artists played at 17 venues, with an opening night on Friday and the festival continuing until 9pm on Sunday.
2007 ~ The introduction of the shopfront window display competition and there was Christian gospel blues added at the Anglican Church.
2008 ~ The 10th anniversary saw the introduction of the painted guitars competition and the festival officially became a threeday event.
2009 ~ The introduction of the Blues music boot camp for young local musicians, with six students in attendance.
2010 ~ Over 10,000 people attended the event, which introduced a buskers stage and saw surrounding towns join in the festivities. The Blues music boot camp for local students grew to 12 young people.
2011 ~ Saturday was just as busy as Sunday at the event, with a visit by the Victorian Parliamentary Secretary for the Arts, Heidi Victoria.
2012 ~ Over 14,000 people attended, with 30 more performances than the previous year and an increase in business for local traders.
2013 ~ Over 15,000 people went along. The festival received a grant from Tourism Victoria of $10,000 for marketing. Fortythree acts played at more than 20 venues.
2014 ~ The number of stages increased to 30, with a focus on benefiting local businesses.
2015 ~ The introduction of the homegrown stage for local talent. There was 145 performances from over 40 artists over three days
2016 ~ The festival expanded to four jam-packed days, with 24 stages and every hotel in town fully booked.
The donut eating competition was well attended in 2001. The winner of the first round was Keith Herenedez of Keysborough.
Former Echuca resident Heather Stewart performing in 2004 with friends Veronica Zahra (left), Simon Merry and Leigh Barker (right).
Ginja Roe added a blend of country and rock to the blues festival in 2007.
From the 2001 archives, was Harpin’ Momma, Adele Meredith (main picture), one of the popular performers of the weekend. (Inset) stilt walker Team Fratellini.
2017 ~ There was more than 40 performers at more than 30 venues, kicking off on Thursday night.
2018 ~ Sixty-two artists booked with some of the venues impacted by liquor licensing regulations.
2019 ~ For the 20th anniversary, a free festival app was launched and the kids’ space in Hopwood Gardens was increased to include Saturday
2020 and 2021 ~ Sadly, the festival was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Bob Fuller from
in South
busted some moves to the high voltage set from blues rock band Transvaal Diamond Syndicate at the Shamrock Hotel in 2016.
2023 ~ Upwards of 15,000 to 20,000 people attended with an estimated $10 million boost to the Echuca-Moama economy
2024 ~ Over 15,000 people attend, with around 80 per cent of them coming from out of town.
The Homegrown stage ran on Saturday and Sunday.
This timeline was compiled from information published in the Riverine Herald and archived copies at the Echuca Historical Society Inc.
The information forms part of the 25th anniversary of the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues
2022 ~ The festival returned with 48 bands and 22 stages in -4℃ temperatures on the Saturday morning. All accommodation in town was sold out, the painted guitars competition returned, and the Songwriter’s Studio was introduced.
The Echuca Historical Society Museum is located at 1 Dickson St, Echuca, and is open daily from 10am to 2pm.
In 2018, Electric Blues Collective
The Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special exhibition at the Echuca Historical Society Museum.
Festival exhibition, on at the Echuca Historical Society Museum until the middle of August 2025.
Winners of the busking competition in 2005 at the Winter Blues Festival were, equal first, Echuca students Darcy Milgate (left) performing with James Martens (back right) and Barham brothers Sean (centre) and Michael McConnell. Col Kidd, of Stanley, was second.
In 2011, the guitar competition was known as the Tangled Gardens Bookstore guitar competition. Tangled Gardens owner at the time was one of the event organisers Peter Williams. There were 117 entrants received in 2011.
Helping promote the Winter Blues Festival in 2013 was State Member for Victoria Rodney Paul Weller and Winter Blues Festival organiser Peter Williams.
Winter Blues Festival in 2013 included a performance by Jules Boult.
Cleveland Blues band members
Bam Bam, Dean Martin and Ihaia Pirere in 2014
Waikerie
Australia
Lindsay Chapman from Who’s This? entertained punters on High St with a polished solo performance in 2016.
performed.
George MacFloyd Blues Band during the Winter Blues festival in 2019.
‘Winter blues will always be around.’ ‘People need it.’
Event Partner again for 2025 Bars, Bistro, Players Terrace, full TAB, Sports Bar, The Greens and much more.
