14th MOSTAR BLUES & ROCK FESTIVAL
13. – 15.07.2016.
Another edition of the oldest blues & rock festival in Bosnia and Herzegovina is behind us. Once again, the festival organizing team managed to provide three days of excellent music.
First, introductory night presented the book by author Tibor Nađ (Novi Sad) „Iscjeljuća moć bluesa“ (The healing power of blues). After many promotions in the region, Mostar Blues & Rock Festival has had an honor to present it to the BH audience. The book speaks about origin of blues and its crucial role in the evolution of modern music genres.
Being the author and musician himself, following the book promotion he joined the Mostar band R'N'R VOD and performed several blues songs on acoustic guitar.
That same evening as the part of the after program, Blues Caravan, another Mostar band took the stage and presented itself with their versions of some of the greatest blues & rock songs. Their repertoire included Eric Clapton, Ten Years After, The Allman Brothers Band and others.
The next day, after the official opening ceremony, young band from Austria Milk + presented its urban rock sound featuring elements of psychedelic rock and grunge. Their memorable performance certainly spoke out to the younger members of audience.
Next on stage was Zoran Čalić Band, fronted by Zoran Čalić best known as former guitarist of famous Croatian band “Majke”. They presented their first album “U moru i plamenu” (In the sea and flames), an album that “shook” the region. It is needless to say that this band sounds amazing.
The finale of the night went to American guitarist Popa Chubby. This guitar virtuoso moves playfully through the most demanding music sections. With his band he presented his original works to Mostar audience, but also some of the most popular blues & rock covers. For the grand finale of his performance, he played the solo on the drums, bringing the atmosphere to the boil.
The third festival night was opened by another young band – Rock School Messengers.
With their great versions of famous rock covers, these young representatives of Mostar Rock School surely justified their presence at the festival.
Second band on stage was Small House Brown, Zagreb based group of experienced musicians who exist over ten years. With harmonica and double bass and amazing stage energy and presence, this formation was true pleasure for both, ears and the eyes. Their repertoire consisted of energetic blues of the American South, as well as music giants such as: Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, J. L. Hooker and others. Great rhythm consistent throughout their entire show was excellent introduction for the true rock giants: Yu Grupa.
Yu Grupa, the longest-running band in the region, practically rock legends, the owners of a series of excellent albums, singles and sold out concerts. With no breaks, their best-known hits were lining up sung along with a choir called the audience.
For us who organize the Mostar Blues & Rock Festival greatest reward is satisfied audience, the audience that comes to see our programs from all over Europe.
The awards are also the performances by young bands showing that new generations of brilliant musicians representing the blues and rock expressions are to arrive.
Program of the 14th Mostar Blues & Rock Festival
13.7.'16 – MC Pavarotti
Book promotion „ISCJELJUJUĆA MOĆ BLUESA“, author TIBOR NAĐ (SRB)
After program:
R'N'R VOD (BiH)
BLUES CARAVAN (BiH)
14.7.'16 – MC Pavarotti
MILK + (A)
ZORAN ČALIĆ BAND (CRO)
POPA CHUBBY (USA)
15.7.'16 – MC Pavarotti
ROCK SCHOOL MESSENGERS (BiH)
SMALL HOUSE BROWN (CRO)
YU GRUPA (SRB)
MBRF Organizing team
