SBS International Blues Day 2026

Name: SBS International Blues Day 2026
Start: 2026-08-01T18:30:00+10:00
End: 2026-08-01T18:30:00+10:00
Location: Marrickville Bowling Club

About

*Clayton Doley is a giant of the Australian Blues Scene, Sydney Blues Society's Keyboard Player of the Year for five years running and Inductee into the Hall of Fame, Clayton has played with a who's who of international artists. His virtuosity on the Hammond organ is unmatched and has seen him tour the world performing with artists such as Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram, Joe Bonamassa, Walter 'Wolfman' Washington, Harry Manx, Steve Cropper & Donald 'Duck' Dunn (Booker T & the M.G.'s, Blues Brothers), David Garibaldi (Tower Of Power), Jimmy Barnes, The Divinyls, Hubert Sumlin, Mojo Buford, Louisiana Red, Guitar Shorty, Renee Geyer, The Mighty Reapers, Eugene Hideaway Bridges - to name a few.
The most unique and sophisticated voice in contemporary retro soul today, Clayton is a master musician, a killer boogie woogie piano player, a super funky Hammond player, and a remarkable singer/songwriter with a passion for creating new works that could have been recorded by the R&B greats from the 50’s and 60’s.
His current project Clayton Doley’s Bayou Billabong, featuring Sydney Jazz and Blues royalty, captures the essence of the New Orleans Blues piano tradition while fusing contemporary Australiana and Americana with all the might and power of a 10 piece band.

*The Kate Lush Band: where modern blues & soul meets vintage groove. Think blistering horns with a super tight rhythm section, swampy Hammond grooves and powerhouse vocals.
Her albums have won numerous international songwriting awards as well as receiving an honourable mention in the U.S. Blues Blast Awards, they have also charted alongside the likes of Norah Jones, Tedeschi Trucks, Samantha Fish, Taj Mahal & Robert Cray.
Her new album Titled ‘HIPNOLA’ has been a passion project for some time, which is now baring the fruits of this amazing bands work.
There’s a high-energy array of outstanding tracks from her 70’s cover of Steely Dan’s ‘My Old School’ & Ray Charles’ ‘I Believe To My Soul’, ….but that’s not the cherry on top… her originals are absolutely show stoppers. Songs like ‘Bad Company’ will have you dancing on the tables & singing it in your sleep & ‘Turn It All Around’ has such a unique mood.. a real 70’s movie vibe, it’s authentic, soulful storytelling about saving the most important relationship we have.
Yet again Kate makes powerful and deeply human statements in her music. Exploring lived wisdoms, scars turned into strengths. Through her songs there’s a sense of a profound yearning for connection & healing.

*Dom Turner (of Backsliders) along with Roscoe Clarke & Johnny G will deliver a set of raw, heavy groove-based rural blues.
Voted Traditional Blues Artist of the Year’ 2022, 2024 and 2025 by the Sydney Blues Society, Dom Turner is guitarist, vocalist, and founding member of the legendary Australian blues group, Backsliders, as well as other international collaborations with Phil Wiggins, RL Boyce, Sunpie Barnes and as The Turner Brown Band.
Dom has toured the Australian and international festival circuit since the 1980s, and has been invited onstage with various legends, most recently in Sydney by Derek Trucks (The Tedeschi Trucks Band) at the State Theatre and The Allman Betts Family Band at Metro Theatre.
With The Rural Blues Project Dom presents a mix of upbeat raw electric rural blues songs—originals, as well as versions of songs by artists such as Son House, Lead Belly, Fred McDowell and RL Burnside, all played in a wild and heavy groove-based style.

*Unlike your typical singer-songwriter, Lecia Louise embraces musical diversity, commanding attention with soaring, blues-soaked rock guitar riffs woven through melodic sensitivity and evocative lyricism.
A twice #1 artist on the Triple J Unearthed charts, Lecia has also reached #2 on the AMRAP Regional Charts and held the #1 position on the Alternative Chart three times in 2025. Years of relentless touring and electrifying performances have built her a loyal following across Australia and beyond.
The 2025 People’s Choice Award winner, Lecia continues to captivate audiences with her powerful live shows. Her highly anticipated new album Strike to Ignite is set for release in 2026.
Lecia has performed at many major festivals including Blues on Broadbeach, Woodford Folk Festival, Tamworth Country Music Festival, Mullumbimby Music Festival, Agnes Blues & Roots Festival, Airlie Beach Music Festival, Adelaide Guitar Festival, and more, further cementing her reputation as a compelling performer and formidable guitarist.

*Kicking things off will be the SBS 'Future of the Blues' band featuring some very talented youngsters giving us a taste of fine things to come!!