(Frederikshavn, Denmark) – Mark the dates: Friday 3rd. and Saturday 4th. November 2017 when the Frederikshavn Blues Festival changes its name to BLUES HEAVEN. After several years packing out “Det Musiske Hus,” the festival moves half a mile up the road to the mighty “Arena Nord” (Harald Nielsens Plads 9, 9900 Frederikshavn, Denmark). The festival expects this great new venue to be a major step up, so set your sights high!
What is special about BLUES HEAVEN is the joyful atmosphere that is generated when a sympathetic audience and a carefully selected roster of award-winning musicians and singers meet. 2017 sees a massive 14 bands on the bill, an amazing 7 of whom are performing for the first time ever in Denmark! 11 of the bands are from the USA, the birthplace of Blues and Soul music, creating a cornucopia of world class blues, soul, rock and boogie-woogie. Friday 3rd. Nov 7:00 pm – 1:00 am; Sat 4th. Nov 4:00 pm – 1:00 am on 2 stages.
Topping the bill is Memphis born Wee Willie Walker. Even at 76 years old, the legendary soul singer has plenty more to offer, just having won 3 awards (“Best Comeback Artist”, “Best Blues Album” and “Best Soul Singer”) in 2016! Willie has the kind of velvety voice comparable to the likes of Otis Redding, Al Green, Sam Cooke and Ray Charles. Backing Willie is his All-Star Soul Revue Orchestra, a huge 12-piece outfit complete with horn section and backing singers. Add in the distinctive sound of the Hammond B3 organ with the unique Leslie speaker, and you can be sure that you’ll be experiencing a big, big sound from this soul-survivor.
The Festival welcomes music lovers from Denmark and dozens of other countries and can promise to continue the evolution of what has, now in its 12th year, become one of the most respected and prestigious blues and soul festivals in Europe.
Festival organizer Peter Astrup from blues.dk comments: “As we have committed to for the past 11 years, so once again in the 1st. weekend in November we present a carefully selected line-up of artists, matching legends as Peter Green, Johnny Winter, Gary Moore and Dr. John and many more who has given the audience so many fine and memorable experiences in previous years. It’s easy to promise a lot with words, but BLUES HEAVEN has made an authentic presentation video – it proves every word – see it for yourself! It’s gonna be an amazing discovery of new exciting swinging blues, soul and rock music and even the most discerning music lovers must surrender.”
Big Llou Johnson, “The Man with the Golden Voice,” is flying in directly from Hollywood to host this year’s festival, as well as having narrated the presentation video. A successful Chicago blues singer in his own right, Big Llou is now Hollywood-based and internationally known as the beloved voice of BB King’s Bluesville on Sirius XM satellite radio. He is a sought-after MC, hosting some of the biggest events across the US. He does “voice over” work for world-known companies like McDonalds, Mercedes Benz, Lucas Film, Warner Brothers and Play Station. Having Big Llou as host started as an impossible dream, but now it’s a reality. Be prepared to be wowed!
Check the website to see the artists, program, promotion-video, tickets, hotel and transportation.
Lineup:
Wee Willie Walker All Star Soul Revue
Eric Gales
James Hunter Six
Ronnie Baker Brooks
Sugaray Rayford Band & Horns
Rick Estrin And The Nightcats
Sugar Ray And The Bluetones
John Németh
Zac Harmon Band
Marquise Knox Feat Kat Riggins
Kilborn Alley Feat Mike Ledbetter
Dona Oxford • Pascal Geiser Band
Thorbjørn Risager & Black Tornado
Performing Host: Big Llou Johnson
Tickets:
- Friday ticket: DKK 395 – (€53) ($64)
- Saturday ticket: DKK 495 – (€66) ($80)
- Weekend ticket: DKK 695 – (€93) ($110)
- VIP ticket: DKK 1.395 – (€188) ($223)
- Bus from Aalborg Airport: DKK 100 – (€13) ($16)
- Bus from Hirtshals harbor: DKK 100 – (€13) ($16)
