Luka Bloom set to bring Irish charm and folk to BREC

Luka Bloom will be bringing his Irish charm and unique folk to the South West for two shows next month. Bloom said the shows had been planned for Bunbury and Margaret River after the Fairbridge Folk Festival — which was recently cancelled. While he was saddened by that, Bloom told the Herald he was “really excited” to still be coming to the South West for the first time on his 15th Australian tour. “I’ve only ever performed in Perth or Fremantle,” he said. “The region is completely new to me and I’m completely thrilled about it.” Bloom recently showcased his story by compiling 50 of his songs from more than 50 years for his album Wave up to the Shore. “I have been writing songs for 50 years, and that’s what I pull from,” Bloom said. “These days I walk on stage, I don’t make a set list, I sing whatever comes to me.” The artist said his creative process drew on different influences such as North African music, blues, and artists like Van Morrison and Bob Dylan culminating in his own take on folk. Bloom said he had a love for story telling through song, which often talks about surviving through troubles, such as those in Irish history. “I love how people say history tells you what happened in the world and songs tell you how it felt, we (Irish people) are story tellers,” he said. “In 2020 when COVID kicked in, I began to wonder If I would ever get to Australia again and I here I am on my 15th tour. “Every time I get to come to Australia and sing my songs - people come to listen to them. That is a highlight, this tour is a highlight.” Bloom will be performing at at Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on April 6 and in Margaret River on April 10. For more information and tickets visit www.bohmpresents.com or www.bunburyenterntainment.com