The Blues came early to Whangaparaoa, and so did the fans. By 10:30 AM, over 50 dedicated Blues lovers had already secured their spots at Paraoa Brewing Co. Setting the tone for what would be a marathon of electrifying performances, raw emotion, and damn good music.
Fatt Max
For a solo act, commanding the room like he did was no small feat. Greeted with applause and at one point an enthusiastic heckler was screaming in adulation, prompting Max to quip, I’ve put $50 under your chair, with a cheeky grin.
With bluesy swagger and undeniable charm, he had the crowd singing along, setting the bar high for the event.
Los Diablos
The crowd had swelled by the time they hit the stage, and their groove-infused blues was an instant hit.
Their frontman Phil Roberts, with a voice akin to Stevie Ray Vaughan and his guitar work inspired by Kirk Fletcher, ripped through solos like a man possessed, while the bassist Steve Sussex laid down some seriously tasty licks, alongside drummer Jayden Lee.
Sound engineer Paul Crowther got in on the action, adding some slick delay grabs to the snare for extra depth. The crowd? Nodding, foot-tapping, and fully immersed.
The Dirty Tones
This five-piece outfit, featuring the morning’s opener Fatt Max on bass, came out swinging with original songs and the frontman who basked in the warmth of the audience.
You guys are lovely, he said, soaking in the cheers. Shay, on backing vocals, gave it her all, though her performance had moments of uncertainty. Still, the energy was infectious, and The Dirty Tones made their mark.
Big Boss Men
A standout moment was their rendition of Ray Jordan’s Early in the Morning, which resonated beautifully in the intimate setting.
In the audience was blues fan Cheryl Everard, who had travelled all the way from Tauranga specifically for this event, saying I want to give back to music because I’m a huge fan and have had a close association with musicians over the years.
A passionate music fan and photographer, she shared her deep connection to the Blues scene, noting that her husband Mike had once been a guitarist in a band himself, before his passing.
The Flaming Mudcats
The highlight? Their drummer-penned track Black Limousine, the first original of the day to truly get the crowd moving.
With a set consisting of 75% originals, they proved that fresh Blues can still ignite a dance floor.
Darcy Perry Band
Before launching into the next song, I Miss You, Perry dedicated it to Max McDonald, Tama Renata, and his cousin Aaron Tokona. The latter being the frontman of the great NZ band Weta.
Geographica remains one of my all-time favourite NZ albums, and in a twist of fate, its producer, the legendary Steve James (son of UK comedy icon Sid James of Carry-On fame), later became my producer for Hangar 18 and many of my other projects. Proof that in New Zealand, the music scene really is just two degrees of separation.
As for the origins of the Darcy Perry Band? My dad passed in 2002, and about six weeks later, I started recording an album in his tribute. That’s how the band was born.
It was evident that this was more than just a gig, it was a homecoming. The band closed their set on an absolute high, leaving the crowd in awe.
Texas Storm
Midge Marsden
He kicked off with his original track Struck Down by The Blues, the sixth track from his 2007 album Travel ’N Time.
From the first note, his power and passion were undeniable. He sang as if his life depended on it, while his guitar playing was pure magic, perfectly timed and effortlessly expressive.
At one point, Marsden shares a story with the audience about discovering a bach with a blue letterbox in Raglan. He recalls paying what seemed like an extortionate price at the time. $1,220 back in 1980 but later selling it for $3 million.
Late in his performance he tells us I’ve done alright as I’m a white boy from Taranaki, he mused, before launching into Don’t You Carry My Blues Away.
After his performance, I had the privilege of speaking with the legend himself. Still as humble, grounded, and charismatic as ever, he shared a story with me, handed over his personal email, and then, with a grin, excused himself for the night. It’s time for me to get some sleep.
Beatz Working
While they leaned heavily on classics, they provided the perfect wind-down to an action-packed day of Blues mastery.
Final Thoughts
Without his dedication, there would have been no Blues festival. Thanks to his efforts, the event not only happened but exceeded all expectations.
I caught up with him after the show, and he confirmed that we’ll be back next year, bigger and better. If you missed out this time, be sure to mark your calendar for next year!
Dean also hinted at the possibility of a Country Music Festival at Paraoa Bar. Another one to keep an eye on.
If there was ever a question about whether the Blues still has a place in Aotearoa, Paraoa Brewing Co. delivered a resounding hell yes.
Paul Marshall
Photography by Leonie Moreland
Fatt Max
Los Diablos
Dirty Tones
Big Boss Men
The Flaming Mudcats
Darcy Perry Band
Texas Storm
Midge Marsden
Beatz Working
Thank you for the review. There were several interruptions while Paul interviewed me. I began playing bass in the 80s and became Tura “Bullfrog” Rata’s bass player in the 90s. This introduced me to Shayn Wills, Midge Marsden, Sonny Day, Erna Ferry, Roger Fox, Syd Limbert, and many more giants of the blues scene. My debut as a blues guitarist was the album Blues 4 Dad (2002). I think Tura “Bullfrog” Rata gets overlooked far too often. In my humble opinion, Tura is one of the greats.
Great pics – love yer work!