BILL BARBER & THE HOLDING CELL at the MBAS House Blues + Blues Jam
Schedule
Tue, 19 May, 2026 at 10:00 am
UTC+10:00Location
Cnr Smithfield & Racecourse Road, Flemington, VIC, Australia, Victoria 3031 | Melbourne, VI
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MBAS 'HOUSE OF BLUES' @ FLEMINGTON BOWLS CLUB Tuesday 19th MAY 2026 • FREE ENTRY, all welcome!
8:00pm: Feature act: BILL BARBER & THE HOLDING CELL
9:00pm – 11:00pm: Blues Jam (Jammers to register by 8:30pm)
6:30pm: Doors open + KITCHEN OPEN FOR MEALS (6:30pm – 8:30pm)
FREE entry and walkups are always welcome, but attendees are encouraged to pre-book via the MBAS website for guaranteed table seating. Please 'BOOK' a single or multiple (group) ticket here: https://www.mbas.org.au/house-of-blues-19-05-2026
🎶🎥NOTE: The Feature Act is LIVESTREAMED on the night from 8:00pm via the MBAS Facebook Page.
BILL BARBER & THE HOLDING CELL are a blend of Blues, Southern Rock and Americana in Australia. Riding a wave of success since forming in 2023, the band hit the performance ground running to go on to win 'Blues Performer in the Year' in 2023, going on to represent the MBAS at the 2024 IBC in Memphis, where they made the Semi-Finals. Without loosing a beat, the band then went on to snatch the MBAS VICTAS Awards 'Band of The Year' for two years running in 2024 and 2025.
The Holding Cell features BILL BARBER, SHAUN KLINGER, JASPAR AUSTIN-GRAY, and TOMMY "back beat” BROWN. With the hard-driving rhythm section of Gray and Brown, the heavily technical and soulful arrangements of Klinger and the raw, powerful vocals and brutally honest lyrics of Bill Barber, The Holding Cell hold audiences with their unique sound.
Their critically acclaimed first album "The Muscle Shoals Sessions” was released in 2024, recorded at the legendary FAME studios in Alabama – and soon followed up in 2025 by their phenomenal 2nd album "Southern Redemption". They continue to play sold out ticketed shows and are invited to play some of the biggest Blues festivals in the country, including Blues on Broadbeach, Echuca Moama Winter Blues and many, many more. The Holding Cell is the shared experience and brotherhood of four like-minded musicians who love nothing more than sharing that with as many as they can.
Photo credit: Sean Clohesy
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ABOUT THE MBAS: Formed in 1990, the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) is a not-for-profit organisation run by a volunteer team of blues music lovers. MBAS hosts free Tuesday night live music events and jams at its clubhouse at Flemington Bowls Club, alongside producing special ticketed events and a free "Blues Weekly" e-newsletter. All MBAS initiatives – including the annual International Blues Challenge, Women 'N' Blues and Youth in Blues Programs – are funded by weekly raffle drives, Membership fees and donations. Thank you to President & Committee of the Flemington & Kensington Bowling Club for hosting all our live blues music events.
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Where is it happening?
Cnr Smithfield & Racecourse Road, Flemington, VIC, Australia, Victoria 3031, Melbourne, AustraliaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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