Ealing Summer Festivals
‘Bigger
than
we ever
pected’
ex
From humble beginnings nearly 30 years ago,
the Ealing Blues Festival attracted thousands of
visitors last year. Set in the gorgeous surroundings
of Walpole Park, the festival is back with the full,
familiar swagger of a classic blues riff.
B
reaking in the main stage
on Saturday, 24 July will be
Debbie Bond & The Trudats
from Alabma USA followed
by Tommy Allen & Trafficker, The
Spikedrivers and Devil Drives. Closing the
opening night this year will be Dom & the
Ikos, mixing up a New Orleans songbook
and its traditional piano playing styles.
The festival continues on Sunday
with The Chairs, 3AM and Northsyde
warming things up for the international
‘boogie-woogie’ piano player, Ben
Waters. Bringing his special blend of
boogie blues Ben will be sure to raise
the roof on the big top tent, bringing
the Blues Festival to a spectacular close.
The festival kicks off at 1.30pm and
will continue until 10.30pm in Walpole
Park in Mattock Lane, Ealing W5.
After nearly 30 years of involvement
in the Blues Festival, founder and
artistic director, Bob Salmons has
ert Hokum
Bob Salmons, AKA Rob
picked up a thing or two: “I started
the event just so that my musician
mates and I could have a get together
in the local park,” laughed Bob.
“Ealing is the birthplace of British
rock music with a heritage that
encompasses such acts as The Rolling
Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who,
Queen, Dusty Springfield and many
more. The Ealing Blues Festival not
only celebrates that heritage but also
provides a platform for the acts that
will carry that onwards.
“We never expected the festival to
get as big as it has. Back in the late
1980s it was easier for bands to get
gigs because there were more places
to play. Nowadays bands have to have
a YouTube channel and social media
sites just to get a foot in the door.
Most musicians never get the chance
to play to an audience of several
thousand, I get to do it every year and
for that I’m grateful to the audiences
for supporting the festival.
“I have appeared at the festival
playing as guitarist and vocalist under
my stage name, Robert Hokum,with
such bands as The Amazing Rhythm
Burglars, The Guv’nors and Devil Drives.
“If you think that the blues is just
about old blokes being depressed, think
again. Under the banner of ‘the blues’
we’ve got funk blues bands, rock blues
bands, New Orleans style music, boogiewoogie barrelhouse piano and even
some good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll.”
Entry into the festival is £5 or £8
for a family ticket. Children 12 and
under get free entrance. Gates open
at 1.30pm with live performances
beginning at 2pm in Walpole Park,
Mattock Lane, Ealing W5.
Visit www.ealingsummer.com for
the latest updates and a full line-up
of performers. Follow Ealing Summer
Festivals on Twitter @Ealing_summer
and Facebook www.facebook.com/
ealingsummer for regular updates.
around ealing
Summer 2015
29