Every year, the Big Wheel Blues Festival sees world calibre artists gather in the Riverside Pavilion, among them always a new or unfamiliar name who manages to blow the audience away. This year, the revelations start early, with a festival launch gig in Peel (11th April) featuring rising blues player Grainne Duffy.
Duffy, from County Monaghan, has won glowing praise from the critics for her soulful debut album 'Out of the Dark', which features musicians Ronnie O'Flynn (Sharon Shannon Band) and Richard Nelson, who has formerly worked with Van Morrison. With a bold style and earthy voice reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt, Duffy stands tall alongside her influences, which include BB King, John Mayall, Peter Green and Bob Dylan.
Last summer, she shared the acoustic stage at Glastonbury with Seasick Steve, Joan Baez and Suzanne Vega and in February this year, opened for Little Feat at the Celtic Connections festival.
With the buzz on Duffy growing louder all the time, this is a fine opportunity to catch an authentic talent in her ascendance.
Grainne Duffy plays Peel's Centenary Centre on Saturday April 11th. Tickets are ?10 from the usual outlets (Celtic Gold, Shakti Man and Peter Norris Music) or www.bigwheelblues.com.
