On Saturday 18 January, the Hua Hin Bluesfest was held at SiraPura Beach Restaurant in Khao Takiab to an audience of approximately 500+ Blues music enthusiasts. The setting was nearly perfect with the Gulf of Thailand as a backdrop behind the stage and a bevy of unfinished resort bungalows surrounding the seating area giving a “haunted town” look.
The organizers provided ample bales of straw, tables and chairs for the attendees as well as people who brought along their own favourite beach chairs. The weather could not have cooperated any better as it was a comfortable 26° to 28° with a steady ocean breeze all day and into the evening.

White Canyon | Photo Credit : Frank E Hidalgo
With a near perfect setting, the festival began at2:20p with the MC, yours truly, introducing the first band of the day, 491 Blues Band, who immediately launched into a 40-minute set of up-tempo blues standards that immediately got the ever growing crowd’s attention. They were followed by White Canyon Blues Band, which features the fine young guitarist, Bank Prathan. Their set of Texas style blues brought images of SRV to the audience.

Willie Solomon | Photo Credit : Frank E Hidalgo
The next act to perform was Chiang Mai’s Willie Solomon and The Legendary Taco Bells, who played an array of traditional down home country blues whilst seated on the stage. Their music was very entertaining and equally as relaxing. At 5:00p
Sandy Beach & Sea Level Blues took the stage for their “sunset set” of high energy blues/blues rock music. With the very talented Tor on guitar leading the charge from the opening number, the band ripped through a 50 minute set of traditional blues songs done with a rock inspired twist. I am not afraid to say that they (we ��) got the audience pumped up.

Tor –
Sea Level Blues

Tor –
Sea Level Blues

Sandy Beach –
Sea Level Blues
Sandy Beach & Sea Level Blues | Photo Credit : Frank E Hidalgo
They finished their set just as the sun was setting in the west, turning the sky a beautiful gold color.


Jassmin Lil Moss.

Pi Moo
As dusk took over the festival site and the stage lighting bathed the stage, Bangkok’s Lil’
Moss & the Bonetown featuring the lovely Jassmin on vocals stepped on stage to a rousing introduction by the event’s evening MC Claude Athaseri aka Pí Moo. Lil’ Moss played a set blended with Blues and R&B influenced songs with vocals belted out by their petite lead singer Jass, who amazingly sings way above her weight class. Next up and in full force was Hua Hin’s very own Ped Bluesman with a 7 piece band with 4 different vocalists. They had 2 saxophone players, keyboards, 2 guitars bass, drums and Pî Moo even played the washboard. It was a great show!! Their set contained an array of blues standards, R&B songs and some great soul. The musicianship was tight and the arrangements were spot on creating musical drama with every song.
Then came a set change that allowed the hundreds of spectators a chance to purchase
food and beverages from the vendors, which included Best Burger, 3 Monkeys Café, Sunflower Cafe & Mini Golf and a new establishment in Hua Hin, Tree’O Cafe. Beverages provided by Singha, Bangkok Vodka and Siam Lanna Gin.
Keith Nolan and The Cotton Mouth Kings, who have played in every Bluesfest so far, came out and changed it up a bit. They creatively weaved Blues and R&B songs that the audience all knew with some brilliant original songs written by Keith Nolan. Their set was dynamic and melodic and Keith moved from keyboards to playing guitar on a couple of tunes. Much to my surprise.


Following the Cotton Mouth Kings was American Blues guitar legend Bobby Messano. Bobby traveled to Thailand alone so his backing band was basically Ped Bluesman’s big band with a couple of personnel substitutions. Bobby blazed through his set utilizing Blues and R&B standards blending in his own original compositions. His brash guitar sound, for which he is famous, cut through the night like a knife. It was a truly memorable 60 minutes of live music on the beach in Khao Takiab.





Finally, at 10:00p the headliner, Thailand actor, model and pop music sensation, Hugo,
took the stage and at the moment that Pí Moo announced him, every Thai lady at the
festival jumped from their seat and rushed to the front of the stage. I must admit that this
caught me completely off guard. I was not aware of what a pop celebrity he was with
Thai women “of a certain age”.

Even my wife ditched me for the final hour of the festival. Hugo’s band was tight and were all very talented musicians. His set consisted of all his original music; some newer and many were the songs that all the ladies knew every word to. They were not shy to sing along. It was a wholly entertaining performance in every way.



Hugo’s set and the festival ended at 11:15p and it appeared to me that throughout the 9
hours of music, everyone in attendance had a marvelous time. It was peace. It was love. It was an immensely epic entertainment event from start to finish. Bobby Messano addressed the crowd near the end of his set stating that he has performed with house bands all over the U.S. but that the musicians who accompanied him at Bluesfest were at the top of his list of talented Blues musicians. That is a shining endorsement of our musicians here in Hua Hin, a statement that I have made, publicly, on many, many occasions.

The organizers (primarily John Murphy) are to be commended as well as the hosts, SiraPura Beach Club Restaurant and their staff. The security was present but virtually invisible. For me, as being a part of Hua Hin Bluesfest 2025 – from planning and media promotion, to stage manager, MC and also performing with Sea Level Blues, it was one of the most incredible music events that I have witnessed in my 10 years in Hua Hin. Next up, Hua Hin Bluesfest 2026. Right John Murphy?