fionaboyes.com - 'BLAK N BLUES'

'BLAK N BLUES'

Uncle Glenn Loughrey & Fiona Boyes

A new, dynamic collaboration! BLAK N BLUES is a ‘conversation in Blues music and poetry’ presented by Fiona Boyes and Wiradjuri elder Uncle Glenn Loughrey.

'Blak n Blues unfolds on stage and we watch as the blues take on a new form, a yarning circle with guitars. You’re not just entertained; you’re asked to listen, learn, and witness the collision of two distinct but echoing oral traditions - First Nations tales and the Mississippi Delta.' - Mary Sinanidis, review of Theatre Works show, St Kilda Fest, Feb 2026

Read full review, including performance context, here!

Fiona Boyes & Uncle Glenn Loughrey

Blak & Blues with Mark Grunden on percussion

Uncle Glenn's designs in Melbourne's St Paul's Cathedral

'Treaty' by Uncle Glenn Loughrey

Proud Wiradjuri man Uncle Glenn Loughrey is an artist, public speaker, published author, and poet. Loughrey has been recognised as a finalist in the Paddington Art Prize, the Mandorla Art Prize, and the Blake Art Prize, amongst others. His observations and witty, incisive poetry speak from a distinctive indigenous perspective.

Fiona Boyes plays deep Blues, reflecting influences from a wide range of regional styles. She draws inspiration from the classic sounds of New Orleans, Chicago, and Memphis, and her decades-long immersion in the oral history of the Blues tradition, while writing refreshingly new and finely crafted original songs.

Fiona: “The way Blues music speaks to the human condition is at the heart of its enduring appeal. While people may suppose it is simple music, it is far from simplistic. For the Blues songwriter, the trick is to take a very personal and idiosyncratic experience and distil it to an essence. That simple magic suddenly renders the experience universal and the listener nods in recognition; ‘yes! I know that feeling…I know that story…’

After Fiona plays one of her original songs, Uncle Glenn picks up on the topic or theme and responds with a yarn and poem of his own, bringing different insights. The resulting ‘conversation’ is both deeply personal, universal, and often very funny.

Glenn: “My art and poetry is an expression of my journey, of my family, and my mob. It reflects the interaction between the dominant culture and the oldest living culture on the planet. It explores the impact of that interaction from the Indigenous point of view and its purpose is to engage, challenge and initiate action leading to unification and reconciliation.”

Uncle Glenn and Fiona have performed ‘Blak n Blues’ at stand-alone events, Sacred Edge Festival (2024, Queenscliff, VIC), Woodford Folk Festival (2025, QLD), and most recently at Theatre Works as part of the St Kilda Festival, VIC in Feb 2026.

For selected performances Uncle Glenn and Fiona are joined by inventive percussionist Mark Grunden. Mark Grunden is a talented hand-percussionist as well as a kit drummer. He is a music educator, a long-time member of Fiona's band The Fortune Tellers, the Dili All-Stars, and others. Mark is also adept at Brazillian drumming styles and runs his own Samba school!