A SOLIHULL band are fast approaching 52 weeks of gigging for free from their front room.
Three piece Blue Nation feature the classic line-up of bass, guitar and drums and have won legions of fans for keeping the vibe going throughout all the UK’s lockdowns.
Every Thursday, including tonight, February 18, they’ve been there on Facebook (@Blue Nation Music) playing for free and raising money for good causes into the bargain.
“Over the year we’ve created a great little community and it’s hard to believe we’ll be marking our 52nd anniversary next Thursday, February 25,” said guitarist Neil Murdoch.
“In a way we’ve been lucky because, although we can’t gig at least we can stand up and play which hasn’t been the case for the roadies, sound engineers and everyone else involved in the business.”
Sponsored by mod vintage clothing company Relco, the band started live streaming every Thursday when the first lockdown came in.
“Throughout the year we’ve been raising money for the NHS charities – Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity – auctioning off our stage wear and on the 52nd week we will be raising money for Mind to win a stage worn jacket,” said Neil.
“In the past year we have reached more than 40,000 people who have watched over 150,000 minutes of music!
“Streams have fallen on my birthday, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.”
Blue Nation, featuring Luke Weston on bass, Neil Murdoch on guitar and vocals and Ben Bradley on drums, play original riff-based melodic Blues/Rock and have three albums under their belt.
They’ve played at some top venues too, from major cities in the UK to two tours of NYC’s Greenwich Village and Manhattan.
They are equally happy doing stripped down acoustic or full-blown electric gigs.
To see the band in action tune in to their Facebook page on Thursdays at 7pm.
