Photos: Wes Mackey plays Summer Noon Concert

Blues musician Wes Mackey played the second of five free weekly summer concerts on the PAC Plaza June 6.

While Mackey's first gig--more than 50 years ago--paid only 50 cents and a chicken sandwich, he eventually found himself touring with the likes of Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, and others.

Mackey now lives in Vancouver, B. C., but says Bellingham is one of his favorite towns.  

For more information on Mackey, visit www.wesmackey.com.

The concert series, put on each year by the Associated Students, brings local acts to campus for Wednesday lunchtime concerts throughout summer quarter.

The free concerts are held at noon on the Performing Arts Center Plaza (or, if it's raining, in the Viking Union Underground Coffeehouse).

Next up is Sosa, a supergroup consisting of members of many past and present Bellingham bands.

Here's the remaining 2016 summer schedule:

July 13: Sosa / Indie Rock

Sosa is an Americana-flavored pop band from Bellingham. Listening to Sosa is like driving in a mezcal-fueled pickup truck down a deserted coast to catch a nighttime rodeo. Website: www.facebook.com/sosatheband

July 20: Amir Beso / Balkan Flamenco Fusion

After he was seriously wounded during the war in his native Sarajevo and airlifted out of Bosnia, Amir Beso relocated to Seattle where he writes, records and performs his original instrumental acoustic guitar music, an amalgam of Balkan, gypsy and flamenco influences performed with rocker’s sensibility.  He released two highly acclaimed albums; Fatamorgana and Illumination.  Seattle Times calls him: “Bosnia’s answer to Jimi Hendrix.” Website: www.amirbeso.com

July 27: Actionesse / Action Surf

Out of the ashes of Bellingham ska-punk outfit The Gypsters rose Actionesse, a garage/dance/surf rock band currently based in Seattle. With influences ranging from The Deadly Snakes, Sax Ruins, and MC5 to Abba, Budos Band, and Morphine, Actionesse dips their appendages in all varieties of music that inspire them. With two short-but-sweet EPs up their sleeve and two big recording projects on the way, Actionesse consistently pushes the boundaries of rock and the live show experience. Website: https://www.facebook.com/actionesse/

Western Today Staff
Wes Mackey plays the Summer Noon Concert Series July 6. Photo: Jonathan Williams / WWU
Wes Mackey plays the Summer Noon Concert Series July 6. Photo: Jonathan Williams / WWU
Wes Mackey plays the Summer Noon Concert Series July 6. Photo: Jonathan Williams / WWU
Wes Mackey plays the Summer Noon Concert Series July 6. Photo: Jonathan Williams / WWU
Wes Mackey plays the Summer Noon Concert Series July 6. Photo: Jonathan Williams / WWU
Wes Mackey plays the Summer Noon Concert Series July 6. Photo: Jonathan Williams / WWU
Wes Mackey plays the Summer Noon Concert Series July 6. Photo: Jonathan Williams / WWU
Wes Mackey plays the Summer Noon Concert Series July 6. Photo: Jonathan Williams / WWU
Wes Mackey plays the Summer Noon Concert Series July 6. Photo: Jonathan Williams / WWU