Bendigo’s Bluesy Rootsy Weekend – The best of Aussie blues
Get ready, music lovers — the Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival’s spirit is alive and riffing! From Friday, November 7 through Sunday, November 9, eight of Bendigo’s most iconic venues — Handle Bar, The Black Swan Hotel, Bendigo Brewing, The Courthouse Hotel, Gold Dust Lounge, The Balcony (Hotel Shamrock), Tysons Reef Hotel, and The Old Church on the Hill — will come alive with the sound of guitars, harmonicas, and soulful voices.
It’s the weekend we’ve all been missing — the one where every laneway hums, every pub bursts with rhythm, and every familiar face beams across a crowd of friends old and new. It’s not the full-blown BB&RMF, but it’s got all the flavour — a hearty stew of homegrown roots, blues, and heart.
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The Soundtrack to Your Weekend
Scott Cook & The Little Rippers are rolling in from Canada, ready to serve up their trademark storytelling folk blues — the kind that feels like a warm conversation over whiskey.
Iseula with Justin Yap promise a powerhouse set, fusing Iseula’s raw soul vocals with Justin Yap’s signature guitar wizardry — a combo that’s melted many a regional stage.
Bill Barber & The Holding Cell bring the swampy fire — guitar growls, big grooves, and lyrics that crawl under your skin.
Liz Frencham, beloved for her velvet contralto and double bass, will charm the crowd with songs that balance wit, warmth, and wonder.
Jungle Jim Smith swings in with his swampy 3-string cigar box, laidback slide guitar, homemade foot drums and cheeky smile, offering blues with a side of storytelling mischief.
And Georgia Rodgers? Expect a smooth blend of Americana and indie-folk sass — perfect for a lazy Bendigo afternoon.
That’s just the start. More than 40 incredible artists — from Grim Fawkner to Mariah McCarthy Trio, Elly McK & The Unbelievers, Charlie Bedford, and Piano Wizard Andrew Farrell — will be spreading joy across eight stages.
There’s even an international flavour this year, proving that Bendigo’s blues scene still swings with global class.
Venues Alive with Vibes
Over three glorious days, Bendigo’s friendliest haunts will host an aural feast.
Drift between stages — from the intimate coziness of Handle Bar to the church acoustics of The Old Church on the Hill.
Lounge at The Balcony of the Hotel Shamrock with a cold pint and sweet live licks wafting through the evening air. It’s grassroots at its grooviest.
Ticketed Treasures & Free Feasts
Most of the weekend is free entry, but a few ticketed shows promise something truly special — intimate, unforgettable sets that will sell out fast.
So if you know what you’re after, grab those tickets early and settle in for something sublime.
For the full program of who’s playing where and when, head to bendigoblues.com/weekend — print it, circle your favourites, and start plotting your sonic journey.
Keep the Music Rolling
Bendigo’s blues and roots scene thrives because the locals — and loyal fans from all over — keep turning up, pint in hand and heart on sleeve. Every clap, every coin in the tip jar, every post shared keeps grassroots music alive.
So pull on your boots, warm up those vocal cords, and let the city’s soundtrack take over. This is Bluesy Rootsy Weekend 2025 — and it’s everything we’ve been craving.
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Links
Liz Frencham on Youtube
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