No King delivered blues-rock and funk, The Hoochies performed raw blues infused with gospel and surf, and Ben Poole played solid blues-rock. The varied performances made for a successful festival day.
This year marks the fifth edition of the Berkelblues Festival, held in the beautifully situated open-air theater in Eibergen.
The weather gods smiled upon us once again this year, providing truly perfect festival weather—a crucial factor for an open-air event. The festival also featured a vintage market, a beer and wine tasting, and various food stalls.
During the stage changeovers, the acoustic duo The MuddyRoad Twins performed on the small stage. They play acoustic blues and roots music infused with country and Southern rock influences—a lovely variation in the program. The festival was well-attended, ensuring a return next year.
No King
The band consists of Sjoerd Schelvis (vocals and keys), Jelle Wunderink (guitar), Stijn Middelhuis (bass guitar), and Lars Middelhuis (drums). Today, vocalist Iris Slot joins them as a guest.
No King opens the festival with the hard-hitting blues-rock track ‘Wide & Far,’ featuring a fantastic guitar solo by master guitarist Jelle Wunderink. They follow up with the well-known ‘Foxy Lady,’ characterized by deep organ tones, a rich bass sound, and tight drumming. The slow blues number ‘Every Day I Have The Blues’ features restrained guitar work followed by a magnificent solo. ‘Midnight Mystery’ delivers tight riffs. Then, vocalist Iris Slot joins the band for a superb rendition of ‘Can’t You See.’
Her beautiful voice clearly adds a new dimension to the vocals. Lead singer Sjoerd Schelvis has a soft, warm voice that can sometimes sound a bit thin during the heavier songs; together, however, their sound is much fuller. ‘Pack It Up’ features excellent guitar work, and Iris takes the lead vocals on the groovy track ‘Woman Across.’ Pleasant piano and guitar-violin tones give the slow blues track ‘Show And Tell’ a somewhat country-esque vibe, which transitions into thunderous, dark organ playing. A funky bass line kicks off the final song, ‘Ain’t No Fool’, featuring delightful grooves and backing vocals from Iris Slot.
There are two more songs on the setlist, but time has run out, so ‘Big Legged Woman’ and ‘Lazy’ unfortunately cannot be played.
The Hoochies
This band consists of Roelof Koster (vocals, harmonica), Roelof Meyerink (guitar), Jules van Brakel (bass), and—filling in today—drummer Peter te Wolde.
The Hoochies have been around for about ten years, with this specific lineup in place for roughly four. After the Cuban Heels disbanded, Richard and Roelof decided to start a new band: The Hoochies.
Last year, they won the Dutch Blues Challenge, earning them a spot at the European Blues Challenge. That victory provided great publicity; as Roelof explained before the show, their music is rooted in the blues but interwoven with other styles like gospel and surf.
The opening track, “Step On My Heart,” immediately sets the tone for what’s to come. It’s a solid opener featuring driving drums, Richard’s wonderfully gritty vocals, and superb harmonica playing. “Just Want You” is a robust blues-rocker with gospel influences, followed by “Lord Help,” which features a beautiful guitar solo and backing vocals.
“Trainsong” powers along energetically, followed by the swinging groove of “Lowdown Woman,” driven by a pumping bassline, tight drums, and crisp guitar work—a fantastic track! The slow blues number “Anytime You Want” features surprising stops and a harmonica solo. The uptempo, rollercoaster-like “Gutbucket” is an instrumental track featuring a harmonica intro and vocals processed through a voice effect.
“Wanna Make Love To You” is a delightful boogie that makes it impossible to stay still—simply great stuff. “Porchbreecher,” written by Roelof, is an instrumental surf track characterized by beautifully clear guitar tones; it is played fantastically.
“Let’s Get High” is a slow boogie in the style of The Red Devils, featuring a heavy, dark, and fat groove. The set concludes with the blues track “Deal Goes South.” A magnificent performance by a band that has mastered every note—their music is rock-solid!
Ben Poole
This three-piece band consists of Ben Poole (vocals, guitar), Steve Amadeo (bass guitar), and French drummer Stéphane Avellaneda.
The band kicks off furiously with ‘Start The Car,’ opening with a guitar riff before settling into a rocking groove with a funky touch. It features a great rhythm and a long, beautiful solo. The rhythm section is fantastic, laying down a musical foundation upon which Ben can truly excel.
Next up is ‘Win You Over,’ featuring crisp, more restrained guitar work and a hint of reggae. Things slow down with ‘Take It No More,’ which opens with a gentle, finger-picked intro and guitar playing reminiscent of Eric Johnson. This is followed by the beautiful slow blues track ‘Longing For A Woman’—an emotional song, well-sung by Ben with his distinctive, slightly raspy, raw voice.
‘Found Out The Hard Way’ features extended solos. The set continues with Don Henley’s ‘Dirty Laundry,’ a classic in Ben’s repertoire. It is a wonderfully funky rendition with a top-notch groove, driven by the amazing Stéphane Avellaneda—a drummer who seems to thrash his kit in many of the rockier tracks. Bassist Steve Amadeo is a master of his craft, and his bass solo during this performance is outstanding.
The song builds towards a spectacular climax. They perform the song ‘Searching’ from his new album, *Post-Midnight Behaviour*, due out in October. It is a more radio-friendly ballad featuring deep, dark guitar work and a powerful finale driven by explosive drums and a pumping bassline. What a rhythm section!
The ballad ‘Don’t Cry For Me’ opens with a beautiful, subdued bass solo accompanied by timpani-style drumming and highly expressive guitar work; it builds through an explosive transition—featuring searing guitar—to a powerful climax, before settling back into a quieter mood with sensitive vocals from Ben. The final track, ‘Any Time You Need’, is one long, fantastic jam that encompasses everything from tender moments to explosive energy. A fitting conclusion to a blistering performance.
This year’s festival was wonderful once again. It featured three bands with distinct musical styles, yet all rooted in the blues: No King, blending blues with funk elements; The Hoochies, offering a raw, unpolished blues sound infused with gospel and surf; and Ben Poole, delivering solid blues-rock driven by extensive guitar work.
The beautiful weather, excellent sound provided by Slapback from Deventer, flawless organization, a great crowd, and a stunning venue all combined to create a perfect festival.
