A new concept to showcase the blues right here on the Hinterland
By Sonia Isaacs
PIONEER Blues Sunday Afternoon Session is an ambitious passion project aimed at bringing highcalibre blues music to a hinterland audience.
Spearheaded by Paulette Steele, former president of the Blues Association of SE QLD (BASEQ), this event is the perfect opportunity to gather friends and family for a relaxed afternoon of top-quality blues.
Held at Pioneer Village Hall, Maleny, it’s a BYO food and drink affair with some stellar local live music. Speaking with GC&M News, Ms Steele shared that her first blues event for hinterland audiences was the Maleny Winter Blues Drive-In Concert at the Showgrounds in 2020.
“It was a tremendous success on many fronts, and since then, I’ve been keen to organise another blues event in Maleny,” she explained.
“A few months ago, I attended a ‘Porch Blues’ event, held quarterly at Caboolture Historical Village. It’s a privately organised event, and suddenly a ‘light bulb’ went off in my head—I could replicate this type of easygoing event in Maleny at our Pioneer Village.
“I want to bring blues artists here that you usually have to travel to Brisbane or further afield to hear— musicians who would most likely never perform in the Hinterland.”
To launch the new event, Ms Steele has chosen Blues Arcadia as the headliners, three-time Australian Blues Music Award winners and nominees for the Australian Roots Music Award.
“They are a highly successful band with a unique sound, different from most other blues artists,” she said. “They are definite crowd-pleasers, and I’m sure people here will enjoy them.”
Local up-and-comers Shade Hadie, a four-piece band featuring twin lead guitars, gravelly vocals, and a dynamic blues harmonica, will be the supporting act.
Inspired by 60s artists like Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Canned Heat, and Frank Zappa, they’ve created their own unique blend of soulful vintage music.
“The reason I chose Shade Hadie as a support is because I want to champion young musicians,” Ms Steele added. “These guys are a group of young 20-year olds who’ve immersed themselves in the Chicago electric blues sound and have received rave reviews.”
Pioneer Blues kicks off on Sunday, December 1, 2024, from 1–5 pm at Pioneer Hall, 3 Bryce Lane, Maleny.
Tickets are $50 + booking fee and can be purchased via Eventbrite.
