Blues Guitar Roadshow – Frankston Arts Centre. November 14th 2025
Words and photos by Jason Rosewarne
The Blues Guitar Roadshow (BGR) rolled into Frankston on Friday night for the second stop in a powerhouse three-show run and it delivered nothing short of a blues lover’s dream. After kicking things off in Warragul and wrapping up in Castlemaine, the rotating showcase of Australia’s finest blues guitarists once again proved why it continues to grow into one of the most anticipated live music events.
With it’s ever-changing lineup of guitar greats supported by a rock-solid house band, Dave Clark (drums), Andy Fry (bass), Dan West (keys) and Shane Gilbert (guitar), BGR guarantees a thrilling night no matter who steps onto the stage.
The sold-out Frankston crowd was welcomed by The McNamarr Project (John McNamara & Andrea Marr), Victoria’s own King and Queen of Soul. Their fiery, soul-drenched set, set the tone for the evening, leaving no doubt that the audience was in for something special.
Next up was Melbourne guitar sensation Kathleen Halloran, whose star continues to rise at a rapid pace. Her performance was confident and full of promise of what’s shaping up to be an enormous year ahead.
Making his BGR debut, Adelaide-bred, UK-based blues troubadour Gwyn Ashton returned early from his European tour just to be part of this lineup, a testament to the even’s pull. Ashton delivered a gritty, authentic performance and showcased tracks from his newly released self-produced album Grease Bucket. If raw unfiltered blues guitar is your thing, it’s an album well worth exploring.
The energy shifted into charismatic showmanship as saxophone legend Wilbur Wilde took the stage. Known for his work with Ol’ 55, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons, and as a long-time member of the Hey Hey It’s Saturday band, Wilde had the audience in the palm of his hand, weaving songs and stories from his stories career into a vibrant crowd-pleasing set.
Local blues icon Geoff Achison followed, the only artist to appear in every Blues Guitar Roadshow to date. His performance this time featuring his sparkling new Gibson, was a masterclass in tone, technique and musical storytelling.
But for many, a standout moment came with the appearance of Perth slide-guitar legend Dave Hole. A longtime icon of the Australian blues scene, Hole showed no signs of slowing down at 78. His blistering slide work and impassioned vocals were nothing short of electrifying, offering one of the evening’s most memorable highlights.
As tradition dictates, the night concluded with an all-in jam, every artist back on stage trading licks and pushing one another into spontaneous musical territory. It was joyous, unpredictable and the perfect finale to an already stellar night of musicianship.
Once again, the Blues Guitar Roadshow cemented it’s reputation as a must-see event, continuing to evolve and expand under the vision and passion of it’s creator John McNamara.
The Blues is alive and well, and the BGR is helping drive them forward with unmistakable force.
