Blues a Sul returns to Faro’s Lethes Theatre on June 7 and 8, with the best of Blues music from both local and international talents.
Faro’s International Blues Festival returns to the Lethes Theatre for its 10th edition on June 7 and 8. The first night of the two-day event will showcase Dutchman Robbert Duijf at 21h00. The winner of this year’s European Blues Challenge will be accompanied by his son Rubin Duijf on double bass and Robin Zalm on drums. This concert was arranged to “connect us and make us feel good” and will be characterised by acoustic and spiritual blues.
To close the night, the Portuguese band Nico & the Bluebirds will perform. The band is led by drummer Nico Guedes and includes well-known names among the Algarve public: Vítor Bacalhau on guitars, Vasco Moura on bass and the duo Carolina Fonson and Edna Oliveira on vocals.
The second evening will feature Englishman Ian Siegal, renowned as one of the most captivating British blues artists since the iconic figures of the sixties. He will immerse us in the intimacy of blues and folk with his acoustic guitars.
To close the festival, Brazilian Flávio Guimarães will take the stage. The internationally renowned harmonica playerwill perform with a Portuguese support band featuring André Rodrigues on guitar, Hugo Ganhão on bass, and Isaac Achega on drums.
That same day, at 15h00, there will be a guitar workshop aimed at all interested musicians, which will take place at the Teatro Lethes and be taught by Ian Siegal.
Throughout the weekend, also at the Teatro Lethes, there will be a painting exhibition titled “Live on Canvas”. The artist, Margarida Freire, will showcase paintings of musicians from the Blues and Rock genres.
This festival is organised by Blues a Sul – Associação de Blues do Algarve in partnership with the Teatro Lethes and ACTA and with the support of the Municipality of Faro.
Tickets are available at the Teatro Lethes box office at 58 Rua de Portugal in Faro, online at www.bol.pt, and participating stores.
Ticket prices are €15 for one day and €25 for two days. Tickets for the two days of the festival will only be available at the Lethes Theater box office (+351 289 878 908 / +351 919 172 008 / comunicacao@actateatro.org.pt)
Robbert Duijf (NL)
Winner of the 12th edition of the European Blues Challenge in 2024, Robbert Duijf’s music is pure, authentic and full of passion and commitment. He establishes a deep connection with the audience by singing and playing from the heart. A show full of stories with a profound message. Blues and spiritual songs to sing, laugh, clap and also shed a tear to. Music that connects us and makes us feel good.
Robbert Duijf performs on stage as a trio, accompanied by the contemporary and fresh Blues of his eldest son, Rubi Duijf, on double bass and the experience of drummer Robin Zalm.
His music is a blend of Gospel and Delta Blues with a touch of folk, inspired by Charley Patton, Skip James, Willie Dixon, Blind Willy Johnson, and John Lee Hooker.
More information: https://www.robbertduijf.com
Nico & the Bluebirds (PT)
Nico & the Bluebirds, by Nico Guedes (drummer and founding member of Budda Power Blues), appears at a stage in which, after 28 years of career, Nico intends to show the world his musical individuality and express himself, artistically, in the first person.
This is how the debut album “Bluebird” was created. The album features songs where the artist collaborated with several musicians to bring to life various themes he had held onto for years. The format of the album reflects the rhythmic essence of the songs.
“Bluebirds” is the group of artists collaborating with Nico to create musically and visually impactful performances. The band consists of Vítor Bacalhau on guitars, Vasco Moura on bass, and the duo Carolina Fonson and Edna Oliveira on vocals.
For more information, visit: https://www.youtube.com/user/eunicoguedes
Ian Siegal (UK)
On a journey that spans over a quarter of a century, Ian Siegal continues cementing his legacy as a powerhouse on the Blues music scene.
Although recognised as a Bluesman par excellence, Siegal’s art transcends genres, effortlessly crossing continents, eras and expectations. His music, enriched by a life fully lived, resonates with an authenticity that captivates audiences worldwide. With an unparalleled stage presence, imbuing each performance with sweat, passion and humour, all driven by a soulful voice.
At the inaugural British Blues Awards in 2010, Siegal won the award for Best Band. In the following years, he collected nine more awards in various categories, including Best Male Vocalist, Best Solo Artist, Best Album and Best Song. He was among the first inducted into the British Blues Awards Hall of Fame.
More information: https://iansiegal.com
Flávio Guimarães (BR/PT)
One of the great names in harmonica, admired and recognised worldwide, Flávio Borges Guimarães, is a Brazilian singer, harmonica player, and composer recognised as one of the early influencers of Blues music in Brazil. In 1985, he established the band Blues Etólicos, which is considered the most accomplished Brazilian blues group.
In 1988, he went to Chicago to take classes with Sugar Blue and Howard Levy. Back in Brazil, he began to transmit his knowledge to a legion of students through his courses and workshops.
The diatonic harmonica, commonly used in blues and rock music, was a relatively unknown instrument in the Brazilian music scene until Flávio Guimarães introduced it. The originality of his work made him a sought-after instrumentalist for dozens of album recordings and soundtracks for soap operas and television series.
He has also played with many famous artists throughout his career, such as Alceu Valença, Ed Motta, Luiz Melodia, Paulo Moura, Zeca Baleiro, Buddy Guy, Charlie Musselwhite, Magic Slim and Taj Mahal.
In Faro, he will perform with the Portuguese superband featuring Hugo Ganhão on bass, Isaac Achega on drums, and André Rodrigues on guitar.
More information: https://www.youtube.com/flavioharmonica
