Shemekia Copeland, Grainne Duffy & Others to Headline 7th Edition of the Mahindra Blues Festival

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Entertainment | January 17, 2017 | News

Mahindra Mahindra Blues Festival Brian Tellis Mehboob Studio Times of India

One of Asia’s largest blues festival is back with its seventh edition, attracting music aficionados of the two-day celebration. With live music in a high-energy festival-setting, the Mahindra Blues Festival will bring an incredible line-up of acclaimed international artists to the iconic Mehboob Studio stage, and is slated for February11 and 12.

This year the festival promises a bigger and better experience for its fans with a star-studded line-up of artists including three-time Grammy nominee, Shemekia Copeland; ‘blues prodigy’ Quinn Sullivan; Americana soul singer Janiva Magness; Mumbai-bred Blackstratblues; vocal-powerhouse Grainne Duffy; the Supersonic Blues Machine featuring Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top fame; and blues-rock guitarist Eric Gales.

Seventeen-year-old prodigy Quinn Sullivan will play the Mahindra Blues Festival for the second time in 2017. He has previously shared the stage with Eric Clapton, Los Lobos, The Roots, mentor Buddy Guy, and opened for B.B. King.

With a voice that is as sultry as it is assertive, and roaring, three-time Grammy nominee, Shemekia Copeland’s music is a force to be reckoned with. No stranger to the Indian blues scene, Shemekia opened the first ever Mahindra Blues Festival in 2011. She will bring her modern musical and lyrical approach to contemporary blues, roots, and soul music. Award winning singer-songwriter, Janiva Magness’s unique style of music blends acoustic and electric instruments to create a perfect setting at the Festival.

The Indian blues sensation, the Blackstratblues, a solo project of Warren Mendonsa will be back at the 7th edition of the Mahindra Blues Festival. Mendonsa has previously recorded and released numerous instrumentals including Christmas in July, Spitleaf and Evil.

Irish singer-songwriter Grainne Duffy blends blues, soul rock, and Celtic influences into emotionally-charged performances; delivered with a superlative combination of vocal power, range, and intensity that engages audiences. Closing the two-day weekend will be Supersonic Blues Machine, the magical amalgam of drumming legend Kenny Aronoff, bassist/ producer Fabrizio Grossi, and award winning guitarist/ lead singer Lance Lopez. They will be joined onstage by special guests Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top fame and blues-rock guitarist Eric Gales.

Sharing his thoughts on the announcement, Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group said, “The seventh year of the Mahindra Blues Festival is surely going to live up to what Mumbai expects – a world class festival with a world class line-up. Join us in welcoming Shemekia and Quinn back to the Mahindra Blues Festival along with the other fantastic Blues artists. We are delighted to see Mumbai’s Mahindra Blues tribe grow year after year.”

Speaking exclusively to EVENTFAQS, Brian Tellis, Chairman, Fountainhead MKTG said, “Music is the grand pivot that binds together the Mahindra Blues Festival but if I have to define its 2 days in one word, then that word would be experiential. The festival is known to offer some of the finest blues offerings from across the world which makes it a very personal experience. And that is experience is reflected in every aspect of the festival be it the ambiance, food, music, design or anything else.”

The Mahindra Blues Festival 2017 in association with The Times of India is co-sponsored by The Glenlivet, with Posterscope as the outdoor sponsor. The festival is promoted and produced by Oranjuice Entertainment.