Ricki Wood is set to return to #AgnesBluesFest 2024 and showcase a brand-new release of original songs.
A singer / guitarist from small town Maffra in Victoria, Ricki Wood left Australia at 13 and nurtured growing musical roots in New Zealand, playing band and solo shows 5 nights a week for 15 years while performing in backing bands for a variety of fantastic NZ artists such as Graham Brazier of Hello Sailor, When The Cat’s Away, Rikki Morris and Jordan Luck of The Exponents.
Ricki went out into the big wide world in 2009 and performed shows back in Australia, then adventured further afield to Hong Kong in 2010 to perform 5 nights a week in a hotel residency. Settling back in Aus in 2011, he played weekly residency shows in venues around Victoria and endless private functions all over Australia, Japan, Canada, Fiji and Bali.
Ricki’s original music has seen 35 years of writing and performing take him from youthful heavy rock days playing for NZ band, Loose Unit, to forming rockabilly / punk / country band The Voodoo Kreepers and performing all over NZ and at Australia’s iconic GreazeFest in 2007.
Ricki’s songwriting followed, steeped more in a blend of country, folk and blues vibes with a sprinkle of alternative on top and lyrics mostly focused on his personal journey through the ups and deep downs. His songwriting allows listeners to not only interact with an open book of Ricki’s journey, but really connect to stories that ring so familiar in most people’s life.
Ricki and his wife jumped in a caravan and have been roaming around Australia the past couple of years, taking on shows and work here, there, and everywhere. It was through these travels Ricki first crossed paths with Australian rock legend, Frankie J Holden (OAM). This travel connection brought them together to perform an impromptu show for Channel 7 TV’s ‘Adventure All Stars’ show, which aired in 2023. Ricki and Frankie J met for the first time on the day of the show, jammed once, played the show and bonded from the very first note.
As well performing with Frankie J at last year’s #AgnesBluesFest, Ricki also performed a set of his own original songs, where he received the following accolade from popular blues musician, Maynard Heap, “You’re the best musician I’ve never heard of’. For Ricki, this was the perfect boost needed to refocus on writing and performing his own songs more often.
Ricki Wood recently re-released some of his back catalogue and this year has been writing and recording new material, which he can’t wait to perform at #AgnesBluesFest in 2024.
Take a trip with journeyman Ricki Wood on the #AgnesBluesFest Discovery Stage 1.15-2.00pm Saturday 17 February 2024
Designed to complement the Marquee Stage program within the vibrant Festival precinct at the 1770 SES Grounds and now in its fourth year, the Discovery Stage encompasses the blues, roots and rock genres within a relaxed, intimate atmosphere; getting up close and personal and showcasing original music performed by an eclectic range of entertaining regional artists from Central Queensland and beyond.
16-18 Feb 2024
Rocking out since 2008, the Agnes Blues, Roots & Rock Festival is a 3 Day Annual Event held in the Great Barrier Reef’s Sensational Deep South.
Book tickets and places to stay: www.agnesbluesandroots.com.au
Be sure to follow @AgnesBluesFest on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The 2024 Festival will be required to operate in line with current QLD Govt Health Directives for all attendees, staff, volunteers, stallholders, vendors and performers.
The Agnes Blues, Roots & Rock Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.
