BluesFest 2013 announces that The Ronnie Wood Band will close the event in a huge grand finale on Friday 1 November.
Natalie Cole is also announced as part of a special co-headline show with the sensational Gregory Porter, while Van Morrison and Mick Hucknall partner up for an All Star Tribute to blues and soul legend Bobby Bland. Other exciting additions include Steve Craddock, Big Boy Bloater and Huddled Masses for one huge celebration of Blues and everything it has inspired. BluesFest takes place at London’s Royal Albert Hall 29 October – 1 November 2013. Tickets go on sale this Friday 30 August available at www.livenation.co.uk.
Fresh from touring with The Rolling Stones, Ronnie Wood is announced for BluesFest 2013. Last year Ronnie Wood brought the house down with an incredible celebration of the legendary Chess Records. This year promises to go one step further, as Ronnie and his band return to perform a special tribute to one of the most influential bluesmen of all time – Jimmy Reed. Ronnie will lend his boisterous riffmanship and incisive vocals to some of his favourite Jimmy Reed tracks in an incredible grand finale to BluesFest.
Ronnie Wood commented: “Jimmy Reed was one of the premier influences on The Rolling Stones and all the bands that love American Blues from that era until the present day. It is my honour to have the opportunity to celebrate his life and legacy with this tribute.â€
Grammy Award winning soul diva Natalie Cole will make an exciting debut appearance at BluesFest, performing in a co-headline show with Gregory Porter on Wednesday 30 October. Expect classic hits including ‘This Will Be (An Everlasting Love), ‘Inseperable’ and ‘Our Love’ plus some surprises. Van Morrison and Mick Hucknall are confirmed to team up for an all-star tribute to a man who has influenced everyone from Otis Redding, to Paul Weller, to Van himself - the one and only Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award-winning, Bobby Bland. Steve Craddock, Big Boy Bloater and Huddled Masses are also confirmed across the four days.
BluesFest will take place for the first time under one roof at the Royal Albert Hall. Throughout the day, four rooms will feature a variation of one-off intimate sessions from Blues & Soul inspired acts including James Hunter, Marcus Bonfanti, Georgie Fame, Huey Morgan, Dr Feelgood. There will also be ‘In Conversation With…†sessions, a showcase from North American Guitars featuring some of the finest instruments around from their unique collection of handmade acoustic and electric guitars, plus exclusive BluesFest sessions from a variety of emerging new talent. The Royal Albert Hall will open its incredible vault of memorabilia showcasing rock and roll artefacts from Eric Clapton, The Stones, BB King, Muddy Waters and many more.
In the evening, two concerts will take place during the early and late part of the night. Held in the main auditorium, the concerts are headlined by Robert Plant, Van Morrison, Bobby Womack, The Ronnie Wood Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Chris Rea and more.
Published on 28 August 2013 by Ben Robinson
