Shaking off the winter blues

Blues and soul musician Shaun Kirk drew crowds as he performed at the Blues Festival at Brew Craft Beer Pub and La Mexica on Saturday. Photo / Andrew Warner

Local punters danced to the sound of blues in front of waterfront views along The Strand on Saturday afternoon.

Tauranga restaurants Brew Craft Beer Pub and La Mexica presented their first mini blues festival featuring award-winning Australian blues and soul artist Shaun Kirk.

Auckland-based blues musician Robbie Laven and Tauranga's Neil Findlay, along with Eastslide Blues, also performed in front of a buzzing audience who were not shy to get up and dance.

Kirk is currently touring the North Island and brought his high-energy blend of soul and blues to the Bay.

Kirk told the Bay of Plenty Times, it was the first time he had visited Tauranga.

"What a location. Sitting and playing with some boats behind me. You can't get much better than that."

He was surprised by Tauranga and wished he had the chance to stay longer.

"I was expecting just a little tiny seaside town but it's actually a lot bigger than what I thought, which is cool," he said.

Brew Craft Beer Pub bar manager Marc O'Connor and La Mexica owner Adam Sox both said the event was a hit and were keen to make the blues festival an annual occasion.

"I saw Shaun last year in Rotorua and thought he was amazing," said Mr O'Connor.

"Not much is happening this time of year so it's great to have something going on.

"It's just a chilled and laid-back vibe and everybody here is enjoying it and everything is going really well."

Mr Sox said it was great to see people walking by and stopping in to see what was happening.

"Maybe we'll call it the Winter Blues Festival," he said.