Diepenbeek, July 5th, 6th, 2019
Written by : Maggie Oliva MFEELINGSFMUSIC
Extra Napkins (BE) – Vanja Sky (HR) – Zac Harmon feat. Texas Slim (USA) – The Kokomo Kings (DK/SE) On Friday 5th, 2019
Here and with thanks to Rootstime.be some great pictures from the hand of our mutual friend and photographer Walter Wouters
On Friday 5 and Saturday 6 of July took place in Diepenbeek Belgium the 16th edition of the Hookrock Festival. Being one of the festivals, where Belgian and Dutch Blues lovers, meet every year to enjoy the Blues & Roots music of their preference.
The musical spirit was high on both days, with many magical moments but within a relaxed atmosphere, cold beers, a fantastic line-up, the jam sessions in between the acts, a birthday celebration but specially with a welcome feeling we let the power of music come all over us and that resulted in a weekend with an amazing explosion of joy.
The natural hospitality of Belgian friends completed these two wonderful days in addition to my reunion with some of the before mentioned international artists during their European tour.
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace’ Its a Jimmy Hendrix quote but, This is what truly happened at Hookrock Diepenbeek Roots & Blues festival in Belgium.
Remarkable moments once again with, Zac Harmon, who let the audience focus in the power of love ” Your love brought me here, your love will open many doors, I need each one of the audience to tell “I love you” to 10 people standing up near you, if this happens the energy of love will fill this place” He said.
Vanja Sky, already brilliantly recognized by the European Press, and also on European tour, said “Music is the most wonderful gift on the planet. It’s my aim to bring happiness through music to many people as possible.” and she truly focus in bringing and inspire young people to make and/ or enjoy real music.
The sunny Friday evening with the soulful Belgian Blues quartet Extra Napkins, the Powerful performance, mentioned before, of the Croatian guitar player, singer song writer and beautiful performer Vanja Sky and Guitar player -Blues Singer Zac Harmon offering the best of his repertoire with the one by one talented musicians.
The Scandinavian Kokomo Kings closed with ” doin’ the low down boogie” at this brilliant musical day.
One Time Blues Band (BE) Travelin’Blue Kings (BE/NL) The Rockolites (BE) Lil’Red & The Rooster (USA/FR) Malford Milligan & The Southern Aces (USA/NL) Sugar Ray & The Bluetones ft. Little Charlie & Duke Robillard (USA) The Revolutionaries (UK)
On Saturday, there were many brilliant and dancing moments, starting with the Belgium band One time Blues Band who full enthusiasm start this second day . they are the interaction between male and female, conveniently represented by a female and a male singer and driven by a wide range of blues oriented styles. Some Chicago , some soul, some jazzy, some funk, all that invite you to dance. They were followed by the Dutch, Belgium old hands in the professions the Travellin’ Blue Kings singer-guitarist-harpist Stephan Hermsen, once again surrounded by a bunch of race musicians brought an impressive own songs and selected covers performance. At the beginning of this year the band came up with a great album “Wired Up”, which is mainly filled with swinging blues, who we will certainly enjoy them again at our next stop in Belgium Blues Peer Festival.
Again a Belgium favorite The Rockolites. The atmosphere was literally and figuratively HOT people outside enjoying friends and joining the jam sessions organized by MojoJamSessions. when a diva voice that walks voluptuously from Bessie Smith to Janis Joplin crossing without a hitch tonalities sounding sincere and accurate call our attention the singer of Lil’Red & Rooster the Multitalented singer-songwriter, dancer, actrice Jennifer Milligan.
To complete the great surprises of the night the powerful but deep and soulful voice and impresive compositions he is often compared to soul icons such as Otis Redding and Percy Sledge. It is not without reason that he was awarded as best vocalist eight times at the Austin Music Awards. Malford Milligan & The Southern Aces are soulful, rootsy, groovy and stripped-down. their soul and blues fans were simply delighted, we much expect to see them at Blues Peer 2019 too. Malford Milligan ft. by the southern Aces, is formed, with among other talented musicians, of the Dutch Fokke de Jong on drums and Roel Spanjers on Keys + Accordion.
The intense experienced festival, may be closed by Sugar Ray and the Bluestones ft. Little Charlie & Duke Robillard from the USA and The Revolutionaires from the UK, They closed with honor, Hookrock 2019, the already well known festival point and friends meeting in Diepenbeek BE
Besides the live music recordings, live meet & greetings published at MFEELINGSFMUSIC in Social Media, you may enjoy to have a look at the http://www.hookrock.be for more reviews and pictures.
We thanks the organization of Hookrock and kindly volunteers, feeling enthusiastic about the next year line up and looking forward to meet you and your beautiful audience again.
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