Riverhead Slide to play at the Cabana

Riverhead Slide will perform original songs covering a unique blend of genres at The Cabana on Saturday and in the Redwoods at Te Mata Park on Sunday.

One of New Zealand's longest surviving blues acts will be in Hawke's Bay this weekend - playing two "very different" gigs in two days.

Formed in 1987, Riverhead Slide is a moveable feast of musicians, with 40 members passing through its ranks in that time.

The band's unique sound features catchy originals executed with passion, infectious enthusiasm and style.

Singer-songwriters Steve Wigz and Gael Ludlow front the group, blending rock and soul with blues roots; Nigel Major plays guitar, Murray Finer, bass, and former Hawke's Bay man Pete Ludlow on drums.

With a repertoire of 150 songs and the ability to read a crowd in the moment - no two performances are the same. "It's a work in progress, it still evolves, it's always been broadly based upon the blues which is a 12 bar, Southern American format, but it covers a lot of other music - jazz, country, soul, swing and rock," Ludlow says.

For Saturday's gig at The Cabana, the band will take a lead from their supporting act, who may well bring out a rockier side. "We will call it on the night, we are following Detour, a Hawke's Bay band which is getting some airplay and making some good sounds - they will set the mood. Being more of a rock band we'll follow their cue, we are all in our 50s and 60s but we can still rock and we have a huge set list to draw on."

Ludlow joined Riverhead Slide in 1995, after five years with Sonny Day and the Blues News - gigging throughout the country.

His initial passion for music was sparked as a teenager, listening to Radio Hauraki, but got serious when a Napier Boys' High School classmate introduced him to Vanilla Fudge, featuring Carmine Appace on drums.

His first ever pub gig was the Cabana Hotel in 1970 - he later returned with Sonny Day in the early 90s - but will have somewhat of a homecoming when he takes the stage again this weekend on the band's mini tour.

"A few years ago my niece got married in Hawke's Bay, her reception was at The Cabana - I got talking to owner Roy [Brown], and said 'what would the chances be of organising something?' he said he'd be happy to have us."

Riverhead Slide are also holding a show in Rotorua on Friday and a two-hour charity performance at Te Mata Park, on Sunday from 3pm, with proceeds going to a new visitor and education centre.

Ludlow approached organisers of The Redwood Sessions, to see if he could arrange a concert while Riverhead Slide was in town. "I thought 'that sounds amazing' - I remember the Redwoods as a youngster, so I sent off an email, it was passed onto the right person - for me to come back to Hawke's Bay is quite cool really."

Local favourite Wyn Drabble will open for the legendary blues band as part of a Summer Events for Everyone programme.

Concertgoers have a gentle 20-minute walk to the site from a carpark in Tauroa Road - a Nimons shuttle bus will also be available for those who can't make the journey on foot.

All the musicians involved have donated their time to give back to the community.

"[It's] incredibly generous of Riverhead Slide and Wyn Drabble to donate their time and talent, and to put on such a great concert to benefit the Park," Trust Chairman, Bruno Chambers said. People can bring some cash and get a Village Butcher sausage or grab a free piece of Hawke's Bay fruit.

The Cabana gig on Saturday will run from 8pm, tickets are $10 from the venue.

The Redwood performance starts at 3pm on Sunday, tickets are $10 per person or $25 for a family of four - for more see: www.tematapark.co.nz.