Blues and barbies sizzle at Lakefront
New-look three-day festival has already locked in a great line-up of performers
Get ready for the smells and sounds of the first New Zealand Blues and BBQ Festival to be held at Rotorua’s Village Green. The festival will showcase top blues performers from all over New Zealand and Australia from November 25 to 27.
Bay of Plenty Blues Club secretary Di Riddell says she is excited for the new-look festival and sharing her passion for blues music with all who attend.
“We have already locked in a great line-up of performers for the three days of the festival. All of the musicians love the concept of music and food paired for a fantastic weekend in Rotorua.”
The festival line-up includes well-known local band House Band, as well as Wizard and Oz, Rehaab, Lazy Fifty, Dirty
Tones with Fat Max, Collision, Theory 89,
Kerry Le Lieve, Midnight Soul, Bruce Bissett and Kokomo with more still to be announced.
Hailing from the sunny Bay of Plenty, blues ‘ n’ roots band Kokomo have been together since the 1990s. They are renowned for dynamic shows and smart distinctive songwriting. The band have toured throughout New Zealand, performing at major rock, blues, jazz and folk festivals and with many top blues musicians from around the world.
The mouth-watering barbecue side of the festival will be managed by locals Shaun and Alia Branson of Black Label Barbecue.
“Our barbecue journey really started by entering competitions, so Shaun and I are stoked to be sharing this experience with our Rotorua community,” Alia says.
Festival-goers will have the opportunity to check out New Zealand’s best pitmasters as they compete in two internationally sanctioned barbecue competitions.
Winners receive a range of prizes including invitations to compete in barbecue competitions in the US.
While these teams are cooking purely for the judges, there will be delicious food from many vendors available while enjoying the music.
For those wanting to up their own barbecue game there will be a range of barbecuerelated retailers ready with deals and a schedule of demonstrations, tastings and masterclasses over the festival weekend.
Alia says the Blues Club had been running a Blues Festival for many years, and when the opportunity arose to bring in a foodie aspect, they joined forces to make one epic festival of music and food.
She says there are VIP tickets available which are great for corporates, especially leading up to Christmas, with VIP including a barbecue buffet dinner.