Great Southern Blues Festival Leads With Monstrous International Line Up

If their first announcement for 2014 is anything to go by, the Great Southern Blues Festival is back to its best as they secure the services of a few very, very tasty blues acts from around the world.

The event, which takes place in Narooma every October, has made its first announcement with four American acts and two renowned Aussie bands that will have blues fans all around the country contemplating the trip for the event this year.

Leading the line up is the great Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings, the virtuosic slide guitarist once again bringing his brilliant blues band down to Australia for what are bound to be rowdy celebrations of all manner of blues styles. Rogers came to fame as a member of John Lee Hooker's band and a producer of a few of his records, but has since performed with a diverse range of acts – from Ramblin' Jack Elliott to Sammy Hagar – as well as making his own killer records.

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats return to Narooma for the fourth time in 2014, for one of just two shows they will be playing on their Australian jaunt. The harmonica master is proficient as hell and his songs bring out the playful side of blues in a way that doesn't sound cheesy.

If you want blazing blues guitar, then you need look no further than the Kelley Richey Band on the Narooma bill in 2014. They have never been to Australia before and when Australian audiences see Richey in full flight we get the feeling they're going to be pretty much besotted.

Rounding out the international component on this announcement is a band that really ought not even be introduced to Australian audiences; The Paladins. This band are adored over here, this will be their third visit to Australia in just over a year – not bad for a band who aren't really even together as a full time band – and they'll turn Narooma into one hell of a party.

The Aussie acts are of top quality as well; Backsliders sound as good as ever after almost 30 years in the business and the awfully hardworking Bondi Cigars – fellow blues veterans – are one of the most requested bands to return to Narooma just about every year.

The festival takes place from Friday 3 October to Sunday 5; head to the website for more information.