A sunny day, a perfect location for a blues festival, and an EU Bureau organization that had put together a fantastic program – what more could a blues lover ask for?
It’s wonderful that, after Bureau Pinkpop pulled the plug on the festival, they’ve managed to continue the tradition of Bluesrock Tegelen for the third year running.
The lively crowd once again showed that many have embraced this festival. I, too, and my photographer enjoyed the sometimes surprising acts, amazing guitar talents, and familiar bands that truly have the blues in them.
Jos Verhagen
What could be better than kicking off a festival with a band that most blues fans haven’t heard of yet, yet still manages to captivate the audience and draw them in?
The German Paddy Boy Zimmerman Band did just that. The trio was formed as a band of opportunity: seasoned German session musicians who started a project during the coronavirus pandemic to alleviate boredom.
Their performance at Blues Festival De Doolhof was therefore one of their first. Paddy Boy played fiercely and convincingly in a style somewhere between Southern rock and Jimi Hendrix.
He clearly took note of the festival’s strong Rory Gallagher fan base, as his version of “Laundromat” was received with great enthusiasm.
A pleasant introduction to this German band.
Blues festival De Doolhof Tegelen has a single stage and only twenty minutes of set-up time per band.
This gives the audience a break, but also means the sound often doesn’t really hit its stride until after the first few songs. This was the case with the Leif de Leeuw Band, where Leif’s guitar was barely audible at first, and the bass was too prominent in the mix.
This was resolved after three songs. The band plays beautifully, but just like in Culemborg, it was noticeable that they struggle to maintain the tension.
Only towards the end did the energy explode, after the announcement of their new Allman Brothers tribute tour, followed by a rousing rendition of Whipping Post and a powerful version of Neil Young’s Southern Man.
The second surprise of the day was the German band BB and the Blues Shacks. This band has been around for thirty years and has released twelve albums.
True to the Chicago blues, they delivered a mix of everything from B.B. King to Magic Sam, with a touch of 1950s West Coast swing.
The core consists of brothers Michael (vocals and harmonica) and Andreas Arlt (guitar). Together with Fabian Fritz (piano/organ), Henning Hauerken (upright and electric bass), and drummer André Werkmeister, they form a band that perfectly knows how to entertain their audience.
The songs featuring upright bass, in particular, were full of swing and groove, complemented by the sharp guitar playing of the masterful Andreas and the warm vocals of Michael Arlt.
After that, the stage was quickly set for Dom Martin, one of the main reasons to come to this festival. Anyone who didn’t know him yet became a fan instantly.
His virtuoso guitar playing and soulful vocals made a deep impression. The highlight was the fifteen-minute version of “Dixie Black Hand,” with a solo full of melody and ideas, never just a torrent of notes.
His tributes to Howlin’ Wolf and Rory Gallagher were also of great beauty. Dom Martin continues to prove himself an exceptional talent.
Every festival has its unfortunate choices; this time it was Philipp Fankhauser. Although the band played well and saxophonist Daniel Durrer added a touch of brilliance, the overall performance felt somewhat flat.
The Scottish blues-rock machine King King, who stepped in for the ill Laurence Jones, delivered a completely different set. The band delivered a predictable set, but with such verve and joy that it was irresistible.
Familiar singalongs like Waking Up, Rush Hour, and I Will Not Fall, interspersed with slow blues classics like A Long History of Love and Stranger to Love, created a sense of familiarity.
For many, this was the highlight of the festival.
The party wasn’t over yet, however, as young British talent Toby Lee closed out the program.
Three years ago, he performed here with backing vocalists from the British blues-rock scene, but this time he was joined by his own band of peers.
With his Gibson Firebird, he immediately unleashed three heavy rock numbers, cleverly connecting with the audience. Impressive were the slow blues “No Need to Lie” and his tribute to Jeff Healey, complete with fiery guitar work.
Many songs from his new album “House on Fire” were featured: modern blues-rock with a poppy edge. Toby Lee proved he’s an artist who’s truly destined to make it.
Blues Festival De Doolhof Tegelen 2025 was another successful edition, thanks to beautiful weather and a varied program.
Mark your calendars for next year’s event, September 5, 2026!
