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FESTIVALS
Tompo has Performed at some of the most prestigious blues festivals in Australia.
The Australian Blues Festival
Bridgetown Blues Festival
Mordialloc Music by the Bay Festival
West Coast Blues and Roots Festival
Below is a short summary of Thompson's first Blues at Bridgetown experience.
This festival has to be one of the best blues festivals out there. This year’s
line-up was really fantastic. I was able to see some great performers for the
first time and meet up with some old friends. FRIDAY:
After my first set I got to see a bit of Andrew and Karen
Winton 
(photo credit: Tim Kovacevich)
SATURDAY: I walk down the hall of my accommodation and Loren is having a jam on the piano, so I take my resonator out and we (mainly he) play some tunes to start the day. The first show of the day (1 out of 3 phew!) was on the street stage (see photo above). Shortly beforehand I popped into the Blue Owl tent and caught most of C.W Stoneking’s set. I really felt like I was at school (I even sat right in front like a good student) learning from someone with loads of experience who knows what he is doing. My next show was at three o’clock outside the Blues Shop and typically I think this is a smaller show but a good number of people turned up and it was a really nice intimate vibe with people sitting right next to you with smiles all round…..good times. After this a rest was in order with my next show at nine o’clock in the 1896 Blues Café. A quick stop by to hear Loren play again and I was on. I had decided to make this show an entirely acoustic show. That meant no stompbox just my tambourine shaker, a microphone on the resonator and the acoustic pickup (as opposed to the electric) on the lap guitar. I was really happy with this show. It sounded just as I hoped.
SUNDAY: One show to go at the Riverwood House, a nice Café just outside of town. Andrew Pring a Perth Blues Harp player approached me about playing some harp and I was delighted to have him play for most of the set. I do love playing solo but this was really relaxed and it gave me an opportunity to hear some ripping harp riffs by the talented man. After we finished I knew I had to make it to Andrew Winton's workshop and quickly. He was going to be talking about his new seven string acoustic lap guitar and being a gear-o-phile it was must see stuff. I think these new ideas are really furthering what solo musicians are now capable of. I knew playing Andrew Ellis’ seven string resonator guitar at Frankston in March 2005 that he was on the right track, and to me it is very encouraging and healthy for the scene that Australian artists and builders are prepared to take chances and try new things at great expense to push the boundaries.
SUMMARY: I can’t wait to play here again, the people were very friendly and the atmosphere was excellent. My only regret is that I couldn’t see more of the other acts over the weekend, the place was teeming with talent. Till next Year;
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“At a very young age Tompo has captured the blues
and made it his own, you will be enthralled by his presentation and
style of his music, his vocals are deep and soulful reminding me of
the past struggles of men working on a chain-gang, or in the cotton
fields in the deep south in the days of slavery. Tompo is a true
bluesman!”
Sonia Meggs - President Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society
ELLIS CUSTOM GUITARS
TIMBER STOMP BOXES