The Exeter Hotel in Adelaide will host a showdown between leading ‘wine bands’ from the Barossa and McLaren Vale on Halloween night – Friday 31 October.
The Battle of the Wine Bands – a free gig – will pit The Ambush Soul & Blues Band from McLaren Vale against The Valley Cats from the Barossa Valley in a night of rhythm, rivalry and revelry.
The event is the brainchild of Brian Lamb, sales & marketing director at Paxton Wines and owner of Mazzy Sands Organic Vineyard in McLaren Vale, and Tim Smith from Tim Smith Wines in the Barossa.
Brian is the guitarist for The Ambush Band and Tim is the drummer for The Valley Cats.
“The wine industry is full of passionate, creative people – artisans, storytellers and dreamers,” Brian says.
“We’ve all been through challenging times, and this event is about reminding everyone why we love what we do.
“It’s a celebration of music, laughter, camaraderie and letting loose.
“Let’s be honest – it’s about time we had a night that’s not another awards ceremony.
“This all-inclusive night promises to unite Adelaide’s notoriously fantastic drinking and music loving public with winemakers, grapegrowers, marketers and wine lovers alike in a raucous celebration of community spirit.”
Brian grew up in Boston and worked in the craft brewery industry in the late ’90s.
“They had an annual Battle of the Brewery Bands – it was huge,” he says.
“So many in the brewery industry were also musicians.
“The event was held at the House of Blues and became a must-attend night every year.
“I thought – why not bring that same spirit to the wine industry here in Adelaide?”
The Exeter Hotel has long been a stomping ground and watering hole for the wine industry which has embraced the tradition of drinking Krug from a butcher.
Emceeing the night is Matt McCullough, managing director of Langmeil Wines.
There will be costume prizes to fit the Halloween vibe including magnums and other wine goodies.
The Ambush Soul & Blues Band will be on stage at 9pm followed by The Valley Cats at 11pm.
AP John Coopers is a gold sponsor, WBM – Australia’s Wine Business Magazine is a silver sponsor and wine sponsors include Riposte Wines, Paxton Wines and Tim Smith Wines.
The Valley Cats (Barossa Valley)
Fronted by singer Steve Angel and led by the King of Vine Vale himself, Tim Smith on drums, and sax extraordinaire Chris Isaacson, this six-piece powerhouse has been lighting up the Barossa pub and winery circuit since 2018 with an energetic mix of party rock, blues and soul.
The Ambush Soul & Blues Band (McLaren Vale)
Founded in 2016 and fronted by powerhouse Joe Cocker style vocalist Nick Knappstein (co-owner of Riposte Wines Adelaide Hills) accompanied by troubadour bandmates Brian Lamb (Paxton) on lead guitar, (The Vine Retreat & Marmont Vineyard owner) Stu Cross on harmonica, Gary Barker on drums and on bass Stu Mosman (GM Hentley Farm Wines). This raucous five-piece outfit brings vintage 70s blues-soul-rock energy and infectious grooves to the stage. Think: The Blues Brothers in the Chicken Shack but rather the Exeter Hotel.