Finally! We are ready for Sean Webster’s Blues All-Nighter! The previous edition was a great success and with today’s line-up it will be no different today.
A practically sold-out Theater De Meenthe has once again pulled out all the stops to give the visitors a very nice afternoon and evening. Everything has been thought of: lots of good music in various styles, a wonderful range of delicious food & drinks and not to forget an excellent atmosphere.
The bands are introduced by media icon Johan Derksen: “I really believe in Sean and think that a new blues festival is perfect for Steenwijk and the surrounding area.” Johan, we completely agree with you!
The kick-off in the Theaterzaal will be provided by EMILY HILL, the band of the 23-year-old talented singer Emmelien. Despite her young age, Emmelien has been “warming up” for a number of years, with performances ranging from school stages to Rabo Jazz Amersfoort.
In recent years, she has visited more and more stages in the country. From cozy, intimate pubs to larger pop stages such as the Bosuil in Weert, Emmelien has managed to captivate audiences everywhere. She has even attracted the attention of experts internationally.
In October 2023, Emily Hill participated in the Dutch Blues Challenge and received praise from the Haarlems Dagblad for their “smashing performance.”
Soul, blues, jazz, funk, New Orleans and gospel all flow seamlessly into her vocals and her performances are fun and enthusiastic, while she also doesn’t shy away from singing a poignant ballad.
She is supported by a rock-solid band: seasoned musicians who take her music to the next level. Michiel Heeneman, Mart Inkochnito, Roland Jenster and Dwain van Dijk set a very strong foundation for this Emmelien.
On to the main stage for blues icons Erwin Java & Sean Webster.
Guitarist Erwin Java has an amazing track record. He was part of White Honey, Herman Brood’s Wild Romance, King of the World and no less than 25 years of Cuby & the Blizzards. From 2015 to 2022 he was also the leading actor in Johan Derksen’s theater performances. In his long career …
Blessed with a distinctive raw voice and a patent on melodic, bluesy guitar playing, Sheffield-born singer/guitarist Sean Webster has toured both Europe and the US during his career. Webster has released 7 albums to date and love brought him to his current hometown of Giethoorn in 2012.
Together, Erwin Java and Sean Webster have written and produced a new album, called JAVA|WEBSTER. This collaboration came about after the two musicians clicked during their collaboration on the theater show “The Sound of the Blues & Americana.”
Because this tour was plagued by lockdowns a few times due to the covid epidemic, Java and Webster decided to make good use of those periods and started writing their own new songs. The lyrics and music on “Java|Webster” come from both of them, and of course the “blues” is the common thread. The album contains ten songs that vary in style from blues, ballads, rock and soul.
The bluesy guitar parts of both are phenomenal and Webster’s raw, lived-in voice cuts through the marrow.
It is pure enjoyment with this band. Many beautiful songs pass by, Coming Home To The Blues, Desert Ground, Hey Woman, a nice version of Crossroads and the beautiful River Of Tears. Goosebumps. The audience is really spoiled with this music.
We only have to turn a quarter turn for the concert of the British JON AMOR TRIO. After the band members crossed paths in their many experiences in the British scene, JON AMOR TRIO decided to join forces in 2022 and focus on their mutual love of blues and funk, delivering energetic sets all over the country.
The band is led by Jon Amor, known throughout Europe for his time with The Hoax, but now an established name as an artist in his own right. The band also consists of bass virtuoso Jerry Soffe and drummer Tom Gilkes.
Their album ‘The Turnaround’, which perfectly captures the dynamic sound of the band, was well received everywhere, both in the UK and on the European mainland. The band has become a welcome guest in halls and at festivals in the Netherlands and for good reason!
We get a very flashy set full of top songs, including my favorite Juggernaut and Cut Through The Graveyard. Delicious! The band is ‘on fire’ and how beautiful is that to see and hear.
Jon Amor lets his fingers glide over the strings of his red guitar at lightning speed and is in great voice, young Tom is already a drum legend and Jerry never gives his bass guitar a moment’s rest. I’ve seen them before but what an amazing performance this is here in Steenwijk. Later this year the band will return to the Netherlands.
Then it’s back to the 70s with the VELDMAN VINTAGE PROJECT. After years of making groundbreaking original music, singer-guitarist Gerrit Veldman now presents a serious “Vintage Project”. This in-depth dive revisits the golden age of his musical roots: the late 60s to the early 70s.
A tribute to the iconic years from 1965 to 1975. The band consists of Gerrit Veldman, guitar and vocals, Mathieu van Uden on drums and vocals, Tenny Tahamata on bass guitar and vocals and Roland Bakker on Hammond organ, piano and keys. All musicians who have earned their spurs long and wide.
I still remember the first time I was blown away by Gerrit Veldman’s guitar skills during a Jimi Hendrix session. Awesome! Tonight that feeling comes back with a smashing set of classics from Jimi Hendrix to The Beatles and CCR, and from Rory Gallagher to The Doors and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. In a truly packed, chock-full Theaterzaal, the band’s passion is 100% palpable.
The audience enjoys, sings and, where possible, dances along. Every song brings a wonderful feeling of ‘oh, yes!’. Each and every one of them is a timeless gem from this unique seventies band.
Finnish ERJA LYYTINEN is one of the leading blues rock guitarists on the international tour circuit. During her career, this Finnish ‘Queen of Slide’ has released twelve studio albums, as well as several live albums. She is inspired and influenced by many blues greats of yesteryear and we can hear that in her music.
Erja’s power trio plays a pounding set with verve. Cheerful Erja, now with a slightly shorter haircut, kicks off with the song Diamonds On The Road from her latest live album “Diamonds on the Road – Live 2023” that was released on October 6, 2023. Followed by the solid Rockin Chair, already from ‘Stolen Hearts’ from 2017. The award-winning song Bad Seed is a bit more accessible, in a calmer tempo and is sung beautifully.
Next to her on stage are Heikki Saarenkunnas on bass guitar and Jesse Lehto behind the drum kit. The performance is blazing on all sides, the playing is good but to my taste we hear too much of the same.
One of the hardest working bands of the moment: THE CINELLI BROTHERS, a 4-piece band from London. By now everyone knows their name and their live performances are praised!! The men have developed their own style that is a true melting pot of musicality, showmanship and charisma.
The band has released four albums so far, including their latest studio album ‘Almost Exactly’, which was recorded in Woodstock, NY and received much acclaim in January 2024.
Their sound is actually indefinable but has components such as soul, funk, gospel and blues, all this with their contemporary twist where the craftsmanship of their songwriting is a true discovery.
The band consists of brothers Marco and Alessandro Cinelli from Italy, Tom Julian Jones, born in London, and Stephen Giry from France.
The latter is not with us today, he is about to become a father. He is expertly replaced by the Italian musical jack-of-all-trades Jorma Gasperi. Marco and Jorma have known each other for many years, from their time at music school in Rome.
Their show is different every time, but the intense energy always radiates from it. It is precisely because of those fiery live shows that The Cinelli Brothers have managed to acquire a loyal and ever-growing fan base.
They have now given many shows in Europe and the US. They sell out everywhere and have left their calling card at many large and prestigious blues and jazz festivals on the continent.
Tonight is no different, we are presented with a danceable set full of passion and fun. Their musicality is undeniable and newcomer Jorma fits in 100% with his own style and music. The audience enjoys it to the fullest.
DEWOLFF is not a band that sits still and this band is truly constantly on the move. Like now, in the middle of their European tour, brothers Pablo and Luka van der Poel and Robin Piso are headlining an ecstatic crowd tonight. Tonight the band has been expanded with backing vocalists Kim Schulte and Diwa Meijman. Their attractive psychedelic southern rock soul type of music appeals to many, their sizzling live shows are a pleasure to experience.
The Limburg rock ‘n roll trio was founded in 2007, in the deep south of Geleen and after years of hard work the band has conquered a permanent place in the international music world. They are very productive in the studio and are more than seasoned musicians on the road.
In the past four years they have released no less than five albums, of which Muscle Shoals is the latest. Their club tour is going like a train and many interesting collaborations have already been announced, including with the Teskey Brothers in Groningen on July 5, 2025.
Opener Night Train immediately hits the spot and what follows is indescribable. You have to experience something like this. We are in a whirlwind of pure rock ‘n roll mixed with gospel, soul & blues and catchy songs one by one.
Screeching guitars, fat Hammond organs and pounding drums. Songs like In Love, Natural Woman, Ophelia and the rousing Treasure City Moonchild, all explosiveness. The hall is packed for this world band. Oh my, what a show!
The intention is to play the roof off tonight and that succeeded with flying colors! What a party! This year they can still be experienced frequently in many halls and at major festivals. In January 2026 they will play the opening act of the farewell concert of that other Dutch world band, the Golden Earring.
As the last notes fade away, we return home tired but very satisfied, the music still resounding in our ears. Once again a perfectly organized festival with a class line-up. Compliments to Sean Webster and his team/organization. The date of the third edition has also been announced and will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Tickets are already on sale! See you then!
