The Blue MUGS come to town

November 14, 2024

Friday and Saturday, November 8 and 9, saw the Blue Mountains Ukulele Group (The Blue MUGS) put on a free concert and workshop at the Oberon Showground, with local ukulele players invited to come along and join in.

People sometimes poke scorn at ukuleles but they are a remarkably versatile instrument. This was demonstrated on the day by a performance of "Hotel California" using 14 fewer strings than Don Felder had for the original recording. One famous musician, George Harrison, was never without a uke to strum on so they can't be too embarrassing to play.

The variety of music played on the day showed not just the versatility of that four-string "mini-guitar" but also that of the performers, either solo, in duets or with a larger group.

Just some of the afternoon's entertainment.

You can catch the Blue MUGS at various places across the Blue Mountains, and they will definitely be at the Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival in February, 2025. With about a hundred uke players from all over the place, it is always a great event.

And if you think that one of Australia's greatest rock'n'roll classics would be too much of a challenge for a ukulele band, here's a sample from the Blue MUGS CD "Call to Arms"

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