Kara Grainger @ The Exchange 1856
Schedule
Thu, 09 Oct, 2025 at 10:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
The Exchange 1856 | North Shields, EN
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An Australian native who moved to the US and began impressing audiences, opening for the likes of Peter Frampton, Heart, and Buddy Guy, Kara Grainger’s unique story certainly explains her unique sound. Her captivating slide guitar mastery, impeccable songwriting, and sultry vocals consistently evokes comparisons to legendary artists like Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi.And like Raitt, Grainger knows how to get inside a song's lyric, placing her own indelible stamp on classics such as Robert Johnson’s “Come On In My Kitchen” and the Allman Brothers “Whipping Post”. Although her inspiration is drawn from the same spring, there is a healthy dose of 21st Century chic thrown in.
With a voice that oozes emotion, and guitar skills that at one moment whips up a storm, and at another, exhibits a delicate feminine sensitivity, Kara’s music resonates with a broad demographic, both young and old, and reaches across a number of genres, including Blues, Americana, and Rock.
Her musical journey has taken her from a small suburban town in Sydney Australia on an incredible journey around the globe.
In the US, she regularly performs at festivals (The Portland Waterfront Blues Festival, Blues from the Top in Colorado and Austin City Limits). Her national tours in Australia including opening spots for Eric Johnson, Amos Lee and Little Feat.
She's travelled to India and Indonesia several times to perform, and she toured Japan in 2011 with The Swampers and Donnie Fritts, the infamous house Rhythm section for Fame Recordings in Muscle Shoals.
In Europe she's performed at some of the premier blues festivals, such as Sierre Blues Festival, Lucerne Blues Festival, Blues Alive Festival, and Beautiful Swamp Festival, as well as touring in Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Luxembourg and Spain.
In 2015 Kara followed tour dates in Europe with her debut tour of the UK, which included a night at Ronnie Scott’s. Since then, Grainger has been an annual visitor to the U.K., playing clubs and festivals up and down the country, including Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, Tenby Blues Festival, Maverick Festival, and Upton Blues Festival.
With a unique combination of slide guitar, evocative vocals, and deeply personal songwriting, and performances that are filled with soulful melodies and heartfelt storytelling, audiences are left uplifted and wanting more.
"Kara’s voice is nothing short of mesmerizing; it has a rich, soulful quality that draws you in. Her guitar skills are equally impressive, showcasing both technical prowess and emotional depth. Throughout the evening, we were treated to an array of original songs that highlighted her songwriting talent. Each piece felt personal and engaging, allowing us to connect with her artistry on a deeper level." Ken Jackson, Tuesday Night Music Club
"Nothing felt rushed – just a band letting the music speak for itself. The band was tight from start to finish, making for a perfect night of blues, and an absolute joy to watch and listen to." Gary Cooper
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Where is it happening?
The Exchange 1856, Howard Street,North Shields, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
