Jailhouse Concert featuring Garry Allen Blues Band & Suzie So Blue

One night, two unforgettable bands, and a kaleidoscope of blues, alt-country and soul, in one of Melbourne’s most atmospheric rooms!

Matsumua Blues Festival Inc presents...

JAILHOUSE CONCERT SERIES 2026 featuring GARRY ALLEN BLUES BAND & SUZIE SO BLUE

Saturday, 20 June 2026

DOUBLE BILL - Intimate. Raw. Unmissable.

SUZIE SO BLUE

Suzie So Blue carves out a rare space where country storytelling meets deep, aching blues. A natural shapeshifter on stage, she slips between banjo and the guitar with effortless grace, weaving melodies that feel both intimate and elemental. She’s joined by two long-time companions in sonic mischief: guitar virtuoso Kier Stevens, whose playing veers from shimmering delicacy to fire-cracking riffs, and George Borthwick, the anchor and alchemist on bass, grounding every song with warmth and swagger. This trio’s performances are tight, intuitive, and quietly electrifying.

Suzie’s musical beginnings stretch far beyond the alt-country world she now inhabits. Childhood brass lines, wandering flutes, and the sun-kissed rhythms of early bossa nova explorations, all left their fingerprints on her sound. What emerges today is a voice and writing style drenched in soul: wind-worn, honest, and coloured by the breadth of a life lived in constant dialogue with music. Her songs draw from blues, folk, and the glowing after-hours of reggae and soul, creating a tapestry as textured as her journey.

Suzie So Blue brings this rich, genre-bending world to the historic Kew Court House as part of the 2026 Jailhouse Concert Series—a winter’s-night performance set in one of Melbourne’s most atmospheric rooms. Step in from the cold and let Suzie So Blue and her remarkable trio carry you somewhere warm, wild, and unforgettable.

GARRY ALLEN BLUES BAND

The Garry Allen Blues Band present their unique style of original blues music, drawing from ancient Delta Blues with a modern sensibility, to down and dirty electric slide-driven grooves. Brimming with stories about the dark recesses of the human soul, redemption, betrayal (and even murder), the Garry Allen Blues Band will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Band leader, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist, Garry Allen, has been playing blues since his apprenticeship as Chris Finnen’s (Adelaide Guitar Legend and Blues Hall of Fame recipient) rhythm guitarist in the Blues Healers back in the late ‘80s. Garry moved to Melbourne and in the late ‘90s joined the band of CW Stoneking, one of the most successful Australian Bluesman, proving as an important inspiration to Garry’s songwriting and playing.

Gus Whelan is the “groove machine” holding down the bottom end of band. His inventive bass lines and edgy rhythms drive the band forward and lay the foundations for outrageous riffery! Gus’s vibe permeates the band and invigorates all around him.

And what can be said about drumming legend Ian ‘Bully’ Bull? From wagging school to play with Russell Morris in the lats 60’s to marathon gigs with guitar legend, Phil Para, Bully is an exceptional drummer. Ripping out the blues harp while coordinating drumbeats and backing vocals, is all in night’s work for this skinsman.

This is a blues outfit not be missed and the Kew Court House and former lockup is a fitting place to take in some heart-warming mid-winter Melbourne blues at its very best!

ARTIST LINKS:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suziesoblue

Bandcamp: https://suziesoblue.bandcamp.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garry_allen_blues_band

JAILHOUSE CONCERT SERIES 2026:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jailhouse_music

Theatre-style seating (general admission) at the historic Kew Court House in the heart of Kew, Melbourne. Ticket numbers are limited.

Tram 48 or 109 will bring you straight from the city to the Kew Court House. There is off-street parking available near the venue.

This event has been made possible with generous support from the City of Boroondara and the Rotary Club of Balwyn under their Annual Community Strengthening Grant Program.

Come join us for what will be an unforgettable night!