Throughout the music industry King King is a name synonymous with, not only great music and outstanding musicianship, but with, and perhaps even more importantly, having a damn good time every time.

When irrepressible leader Alan Nimmo walks out on stage wearing his now trademark kilt, fists in the air and a smile as wide and resplendent as Glasgow’s River Clyde itself there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that they are in for one of the best nights of their life - and that’s before the music has even started!

King King have never been a band content to simply ride the crest of their self made wave but instead have continued to work tirelessly to make that wave even bigger, stronger and ultimately better.

Alan Nimmo is incapable of just sitting back when everything is going well and the accolades are flooding in. Absolutely not. He wants to take that level of excellence already achieved and turn it up a notch with every performance and every new release to try and become the best that he and his band can possibly be. And judging by public response he is most definitely succeeding.

After 2 long years which saw the music business on its knees, King King have not only survived but have come back with a new line up and an extra edge that is the envy of many of their peers.

The addition of Alan’s brother Stevie on second guitar and vocals has added a breath of fresh air and a new dimension to the band. Something Alan had been looking for for quite some time.

Added to the already stunning line up of Jonny Dyke (keys), and fellow Scots Andrew Scott (drums) and Zander Greenshields (bass), the mighty King King is sounding arguably the best it ever has.

A string of sold out performances on their latest tours is testament to just that.

Alan Nimmo has been in the music business for many years now - more than he can care to remember - but one thing has never changed. His desire to make honest, real music which comes from deep down within the soul.

It may well have been high profile support slots with the likes of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Thunder and Europe which opened King King’s music up to a much wider audience. But it was pure talent and hard work which got them there in the first place. The very same talent and hard work which has allowed them to continue on their ever widening path to success ever since.

Many may feel a need to pigeon hole music, to give it a name and a place. Not King King.

It’s just music. Real music. And real music always has and always will stand the test of time.

King King’s music is the kind of music that makes people happy.

And let’s face it, especially in these all too dark and difficult times, who doesn’t want to be happy?

Not convinced? It’s simple. Come along to a show and find out for yourself.

‘The best band in the world’ might be a bold statement to back up. But rest assured Alan and the guys will give it their best shot every single night.

You can bet your kilt on it!

Dom Martin is a Belfast born multi award winning artist who burst onto the music scene in 2019

with a unique guitar style and voice, captivating audiences everywhere.

BBC Radio 2 presenter Cerys Matthews - “Absolutely wonderful stuff” Classic Rock Magazine - "The Belfast guitarist is a sprawling talent" Walter Trout - "Dom Martin is amazing! A unique, genuine, vital artist"

makingascene.org - "The likes of Dom’s talent only comes around once in a lifetime"

Blues in Britain Magazine - "Now and again you stumble across a rare talent of such sheer genius that you actually wonder whether what you have witnessed can possibly be for real. Dom Martin is one such talent"

Music-News.Com - "Dom Martin is an absolutely fabulous performer"

Rock & Blues Muse - "It’s obvious that Dom Martin is the next rising star in the global roots scene. Jump aboard now before he passes you by"

AWARDS

Instrumentalist of The Year - 2023 UK Blues Awards

Instrumentalist of The Year - 2022 UK Blues Awards

(Inducted into the UK Blues Hall of Fame for his third successive Acoustic Award) Acoustic Act of The Year - 2022 UK Blues Awards

Acoustic Act of The Year - 2021 UK Blues Awards Acoustic Act of The Year - 2020 UK Blues Awards Best Solo/Acoustic Act - European Blues Awards 2019

Dom is fairly unique in that he is an extremely talented multi award winning performer both as a solo acoustic act (Dom Martin) and as a power rock trio (Dom Martin & Band). His ability to perform both shows at large festivals is attractive to festival organisers looking for quality shows for different stages.

This unassuming musician is another fine product of the Belfast music factory responsible for Sir Van Morrison, Gary Moore, Paul Brady, Brian Kennedy, Foy Vance and many more.

Aynsley Lister

Aynsley Lister has been at the top of the Blues scene for over two decades, billed as one of the most exciting contemporary Blues guitarists around today. Known not only for his exceptional guitar playing, he is also a highly regarded songwriter whose passion for music crosses genres, e ffortlessly combining blues, soul, Americana, rock and sometimes even pop elements.

On this tour, Aynsley presents his new studio album “Along For The Ride”, released on November 11th 2022 via his own label Straight Talkin’ Records, which he co-founded with his wife Stephanie. The new release offers 13 songs - stories from everyday life about relationships, loss, feelings and life itself in all its facets, embedded in catchy melodies, rocking r ffs, virtuoso guitar solos and an energetic mixture of modern elements and traditional blues.

Aynsley Lister will be leading his band through a sensational set, performing songs from the highly acclaimed new release, along with fan favourites from the past

In previous years, Chantel stepped out in the pro-musician world and her stunning live performances demonstrated that she had the ability to perform rock for the new age, played by a musician born with an effortless virtuosity. Since then, she has built a loyal and growing fan base who follow her every move.

If you measure an artist’s prospects by the company they keep, then Chantel has been moving in the right direction. Early in her career, Chantel was invited to perform with Joe Bonamassa, on two of his UK tours.

Over the last few years, Chantel has received great reviews of her 5 albums, the last 2 being released during the 2021 Covid lockdown. The ‘Shed Sessions Volumes 1 & 2’ were recorded at home and mixed by Wayne Proctor of Superfly Studios due to the pandemic. They were born out of a weekly livestream which Chantel performed throughout lockdown.

Over lockdown, as well as the 2 albums, Chantel released a rock cover of ‘Stupid Love’ by Lady Gaga and had a track on ‘Gumbo Blues, a tribute to Dr John’, both through Cleopatra Records in the USA. She also released the single ‘I Will See’, which she co-wrote and recorded with David ‘Nova’ Nowakowski (Scars on 45).

Chantel is writing for her next studio album, and is debuting some of the new tracks on her tour which, is taking place throughout the UK. These are one off shows not to be missed. Chantel stated, ‘I’m over the moon to be back out on tour again, the last couple of years have been incredibly tough for everyone in the music industry and it’s just so wonderful to be able to play live music in front of great crowds once again’.

Arthur Brown is synonymous with his 1968 hit “Fire” and the Hammond-driven “Crazy World” line-up which spawned it. However, his ‘God of Hellfire’ burned out fast and, in 1970, he returned with a new project: the prog-festival freak-show Kingdom Come followed by a varied solo career. Those initial four band albums, by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and by Kingdom Come are thrilling, as tend to be Brown’s cameos on other peoples’ projects. 

Best known for his flamboyant theatrical performances and his powerful, wide- ranging operatic voice. He has been a major influence on a wide range of musicians due to his outstanding vocal ability and wild stage persona and concepts. He is considered a pioneer of shock rock and progressive rock and influential on heavy metal music.

He associated with Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Frank Zappa, Hawkwind, Klaus Schultze and Alice Cooper and made a cameo appearance in the cult film “The Committee” and also “Tommy”. His countless collaborations include The Alan Parsons Project, The Stranglers and The Prodigy.

His best-known single “Fire” hit number 1 in the UK singles chart and Canada, and a number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album “The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown” had top ten success on both sides of the Atlantic. Following “Fire”, the press would often refer to Brown as “The God of Hellfire”, in reference to the opening shouted line of the song.

Arthur shows no signs of stopping or slowing down and continues to record and release hugely inspiring music, including his most recent release “Long, Long Road” (2022) and the launch of his new multi-media show “A Human Perspective”.

Blues and soul become inextricably entwined in award-winning singer-songwriter, Kyla Brox, whose raw talent has seen her described as “the finest female blues singer of her generation”. Winner of the 2018 UK Blues Challenge, Kyla has the honour of representing the UK in Memphis at the 2019 International Blues Challenge, as well as the European event in the Azores. In a huge nod to her ongoing stature in British Blues, the UK Blues Federation made Kyla an official Ambassador of UK Blues in 2016 and she is one of only three British singers privileged to be included in the 50 Women of the Blues Spotify playlist.

Daughter of cult blues figure, Victor Brox, the Mancunian vocalist began her career as a teenager in her father’s band and has now honed her own sophisticated sound, as heard on her critically acclaimed 2016 album, Throw Away Your Blues and the scintillating, multi-faceted new 2019 album, Pain & Glory. Her voice; tender, urgent, gritty, blurring the distinction between pleasure and pain, mixed with the enchantingly fluent guitar work of Paul Farr, inspired bass playing of Danny Blomeley and in-the-pocket drumming of Mark Warburton, combine to make a unique and powerful, often joyous, always emotional experience.

Kyla also plays in duo form with her husband, virtuoso acoustic guitarist, Danny Blomeley, whose playing, by turns delicate and unrestrained, has earned him a following in his own right.

With many albums under her belt and many miles covered on the road, touring all over the world, Kyla Brox is widely regarded as one of the very best soul-blues singers the British Isles has ever produced.

Way back in the halcyon days of rock, there came a trio of 'superheroes' known as the Groundhogs, riding the blues boom into unchartered territory, they gained a reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts around, and are influential and inspirational to this day. The classic line-up of Tony McPhee, Ken Pustelnik and Pete Cruickshank toured the world for 6 years straight, including seminal shows with the Rolling Stones, John Lee Hooker, John Mayall and Canned Heat, and at the legendary 1970 Isle of Wight festival along with Jimi Hendrix. In this time they produced 4 renowned albums: 'Blues Obituary', 'Thank Christ for the Bomb', 'Split' and 'Who Will Save the World'...

Now Ken Pustelnik brings you a new and exciting line-up - Groundhogs, playing that classic material with verve and power, and giving performances of energy and excitement that are as fresh and relevant to the modern audience as the originals were back in the day...

The Band

Ken Pustelnik (drums)

Original member of the classic line-up, officially joined in 1967, leaving at the height of their success in 1972 and features on all of the first 5 Groundhogs albums.

Chris D'Avoine (Vocals/Lead Guitar)

Incendiary guitarist of Mean Blue Monsters, Snatch it Back (w/ Ken Pustelnik) and formerly with numerous outfits such as Shiva.

Latch Manghat (Bass)

Heavy and hard-driving bassist of cult British stoner-metal band Gonga, Guitarist/Vocalist of the Rollbars, and producer of numerous artists such as the Heads.

Sol Latif (Lead Guitar)

Long-standing member of the Rollbars, formerly lead guitarist of Lastwind (w/ Ken and Latch), his ability to traverse the intricate and unorthodox sections are unmatched.

THE HITMAN BLUES BAND

The Hitman from New York City and his Hitman Blues Band play original Modern/Alternative Blues and inspired versions of blues classics = blues for the 21st century! The common thread for every tune is the blues - from soulful blues ballads to foot tappin' music to make you want to dance. Powerful vocals, ripping guitar, a solid rhythm section, stirring backing vocals, plus a little humour in the narrative. This is a blues show like no other.

Vocalist, guitarist and and band leader Russell ‘Hitman’ Alexander has New York City in his veins and the blues in his heart, The man in the shades, top hat and sharp suit is playing real blues, informed by 50 years of mastery of New York City’s thousand styles while imitating no one.

The Hitman Blues Band constantly get great album and live reviews, and feature in the top of the blues charts around the world. Their latest album 'Hey Can You Guys Play...' has received superb reviews and they have a new studio album for 2024:

" An album that delivers great pleasure with a genuinely innovative, bold approach that works fabulously. " Blues Matters magazine

“Fine musicianship and strong song writing – a winning formula!” Blues in Britain magazine

“Led by New York guitarist Russell ‘Hitman’ Alexander, Hitman has a striking, charismatic personality and knows how to entertain and put on a show with superb danceable blues and great covers. Born to play and with real personality, as he tells stories, jokes with the crowd, proudly features his excellent band and plays a spiky guitar with great panache and soul. What a find you may think and you’d be right” – Blues Matters magazine.

The Milk Men is a band made up from the cream of British R’n’B talent and pedigree.

Bringing together young veterans of the UK’s live music scene. The Milk Men have been tearing up venues and festivals all over the UK with their dynamic live show.

With former Pirate Mike Roberts on drums, Lloyd Green (son of guitar legend Mick Green) on bass guitar, husky blues singer Jamie Smy on vocals, the band is rounded off on guitar by Adam Norsworthy, also know as the singer and guitarist in blues scene mainstays Mustangs.

The band draws its influences from a wide range of classic bands from Dr Feelgood to Fleetwood Mac. Their original music is classic blues rock, but always played with attack, energy, melody and a sense of fun.
The band has released four hugely-acclaimed albums of original material, and their latest and finest album Spin The Bottle saw the band cement their reputation as one of the UK’s premier keepers of the British Blues Rock flame.

The band has headlined major blues festivals all over the UK including Swanage and The Great British Rock & Blues Festival in Skegness. 2023 sees them take their unique brand of catchy blues rock all over the country playing at festivals everywhere from Cornwall to Carlisle. 

It has been a standout year for Laura Evans who is an artist standing out amongst the crowd with her effortless blend of Blues, Rock & Soul, her latest album releases have now amassed over 2 million streams on Spotify, she has graced the cover of the 'Nu Blue' playlist sitting alongside artists such as Larkin Poe & Beth Hart. Laura's standout year has solidified her as an artist to watch. Her recent tours across the UK and Europe have garnered rave reviews, with Classic Rock Magazine comparing her sound to ‘Stevie Nicks jamming with Blackberry Smoke, embracing notes of Americana, pop, and bluesy rock and roll’ 

Laura’s live performances are a testament to her talent and authenticity, often described as the ‘real deal.’ Her latest single, ‘What I’m Made Of,’ is already making waves and is the title track from her upcoming EP, set for release this August. Fans can also look forward to her second studio album, slated for early next year. Laura heads out on tour with Blues Rock Legend Walter Trout this October, before her own headline European tour November 2024. With continued support from Cerys Matthews at BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Wales, Laura Evans is an artist you won’t want to miss. 
 

‘Laura Evans is a real firecracker, can’t wait to hear more from her this year’ Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 2

OTWAY AND BARRETT

Nearly Free

This magnetic bond still holds after more than 40 years of attempted escapes and still loved for their total in-yer-face originality, the contrast between the dead pan humour of Barrett and mad onstage antics of Otway are hilarious to watch.  John’s lyrical genius and Willy’s outstanding musicianship (he seems to play almost every stringed instrument known to man, plus a few hybrids of his own making!)

Ever keen to add a new dimension to the show, Willy has a new addition to his array of instruments. Beware the Moose Homp!!.

Willy’s interest in making instruments began when he commandeered two guitars made by his dad in 1965. One from an old guitar neck and a scaffold plank which became affectionally known as the Les Dawson, and the other branded the Mk1 Schitstik electric slide of similar pedigree. These instruments were used on many of the early tracks, including Really Free and Racing Cars)

Was the Last Straw Tour of 2017 to be the end? Willy’s remark “this will be the last time that many of you will see us together again” was often hastily misinterpreted as the final throw of the dice, but the reason given “it’s not us packing up, it’s you lot dying off, you know who you are!” is often overlooked by eager scribes. And so the rumours abound.

For any Otway/Barrett virgins out there who don’t know what to expect, be prepared for everything from bare-chested theremin playing to wah wah wheelie bin as the duo jump from one hit and 40 near misses to another:  An amazing and irreverent performance by two master entertainers.

A 3-piece band from Birmingham, use Riff based Melodic Blues Rock from a reservoir of influences, including Beatles, Cream, Zeppelin, Brit Pop 90’s, more recently Rival Sons and Vintage Trouble, to create their memorable sound. Their songs are delivered by three accomplished musicians, fronted with stunning vocals. All backed up with impressive gig experience, stage presence and great songs. They play top venues and festivals in the major cities of the UK and further afield including two tours of NYC’s Greenwich Village and Manhattan. They are equally happy doing stripped down acoustic or fullblown electric gigs Their most prestigious performances have been on the Main Music Stage @ F1 British Grand Prix Silverstone, twice, and tours / gigs with Dirty Thrills, Steve Conte (NY Dolls), Skid Row, Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy), Von Hertzen Brothers, Virginmarys, Cats in Space, King King, Daxx & Roxane, Kris Barras, The Record Company, Sari Schorr and Chantel McGregor. Main support to Toploader @ Rhuddfest and main stage slot @ Evoke Festival Brentwood. The quirkiest was The Tramlines Festival Sheffield, acoustic on a moving Tram.

True Strays are lifelong friends, songwriters and country boys – Joseph James and James Cameron – from Bristol, England who are fast carving out a niche of their own in the UK Americana scene. Their music is a cathartic celebration of alternative roots americana and blues rock.

Their songs focus on the dirt that life throws at you and how struggle can be transformed into something better. The prolific songwriting duo draw influences from classic sounds such as Neil Young, Muddy Waters, Fleetwood Mac and modern retro inspired acts like Alabama Shakes, Gary Clark Jr and the Black Keys.

From the rock and roll circumstances of their first meeting, in a sand pit in playgroup 30 odd years ago, they have completed countless UK tours, supported bands as diverse as My Baby and Elles Bailey, been jump started by Keith Allen, played by BBC Introducing and BBC Radio 4, played their first European dates, survived 70+ festival shows at prestigious festivals like Green Man, Boom Town, Larmer Tree and Shambala and have been featured on the Spotify’s Nu-Blue and Modern Blues Rock playlists.

2021 sees a year’s hard work behind the scenes coming to fruition. A recent invite to showcase at the prestigious UK AmericanaFest, a debut album and a performance at Black Deer Festival all on the horizon. With or without live shows, True Strays are not giving up on their musical calling.

Alice Armstrong is a multi-award nominated singer-songwriter and entertainer from Surrey, UK, known for her impressive vocal range, dynamic songwriting and unmatched stage presence. Her voice and songs vary widely in emotional tone and are a common addition to Joe Bonamassa’s personal Spotify playlists.

An Alice Armstrong show promises a soulful, genre-busting performance packed with world class musicianship and wry British repartee. Her personal and provocative content is heavily infused with soul, blues, funk, rock and jazz, and is served with an enigmatic performance reminiscent of the likes of B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Janis Joplin and Tina Turner (with a touch of Maria Callas), leaving the awed audience laughing, crying and tapping their feet in equal measure. 

James Oliver has already rubbed shoulders with many of the greats of the guitar firmament. Now, having recorded three vital, very contemporary albums with his band Glas, he is preparing to write a new chapter of not only his career but also Welsh music history.

His progress since forming Glas in early 2012 has been steady rather than spectacular, playing every gig in the Valleys before expanding horizons beyond. See him on stage, though, and spectacular is very much the word. Little wonder the late, great Deke Leonard of Man/Iceberg fame was moved to say that ‘Speaking as a guitarist, James Oliver scares the hell out of me.’ Taff Williams and Tweke Lewis, who have played with him, were similarly impressed.

Oliver’s propulsive guitar won Glas an invitation to play the prestigious Monaghan Blues Festival in Ireland – the first Welsh act to do so – while other festivals at Tenby and Colne soon followed. His rootsy, Fender-fuelled music has been heard supporting the likes of Albert Lee . Bill Kirchen,and, only this year, Played London’s legendary 100 Club. Former Love Sculpture/Dave Edmunds bassist John David has worked with Jamesin the studio, further enhancing a more than respectable CV.

As music business veterans will tell you, success is 10 per cent inspiration and 90 per cent perspiration. As he enters the next stage of his career, James Oliver has a track record that shows he will not allow an ounce of his talents to be wasted. And with new musicians to interact with, chances are the music in store will exhibit hitherto unheard dimensions to delight his growing army of fans. Blues, rock a billy, rock and country…it’s all here in one explosive pickin’ package.

Over a decade ago Backbone Blues Band’s story began in a field. Two bandmates having a beer and talking music at the Blues on the Farm festival. ‘My sister’s been going to the King Biscuit Festival for years’ says one. ‘We should go!’

Later that year the fledgling band made its first trip to the Mississippi Delta, cementing a love for the music and firing a desire to make Backbone a band that plays the blues in its own style - faithful to the genre but distinctive and entertaining in its delivery. More than ten years on, and with as many trips to the Biscuit in that time, the band has earned friends and plaudits both sides of the Atlantic.

Their fourth album, ‘old new borrowed blues’, enjoyed extensive radio coverage on blues shows and was extremely well received. Something of a watershed recording, it represents an homage to much missed lead singer Duncan Highet, whose passing left the band mourning the loss of a great friend. It also signposted the band’s way forward, with guitarist Tony Seaman stepping in to the lead vocal role, and new members Luke (Duncan’s son) on bass, and guitarist Martin Spellman bringing their own talents to the Backbone sound. Steve Pearce on keys and Martin Jezzard on drums complete the band personnel.

This year’s trip to the Delta sees the band making their second main stage appearance at the Biscuit - we believe the only non-US band to have played the festival more than once - and includes a return to Morgan Freeman’s iconic Ground Zero blues club in Clarksdale, where the band’s performances have enjoyed an enthusiastic following.

In the U.K. the band have built a reputation for delivering their blues in an entertaining and engaging style, with performances at a number of festivals and blues clubs, including the award-winning Tuesday Blues at the 100 Club. They’re already booked for the Looe festival on their return from the States, and for Blackpool’s inaugural blues festival in early ‘24. Catch them if you can, live or on record - you’ll like what you hear!

LONG ROAD HOME has years of collective touring and recording experience going back to the ’70s.They have their roots firmly planted in the blues rock prog genre and have created their own sound amalgamating various musical styles. The unplugged version of LONG ROAD HOME features Rien de Faire guitarist Steve Summers and vocalist Mike Sebbage plus former Larry Miller band and Storm Warning bassist Derek White.  The band will be releasing their debut album this summer.

Raw power country, blues, southern rock and Americana delivered by four highly experienced and dedicated musicians. A decade of touring the UK and the EU, to celebrate the band's 10th year, they are looking to tour new and old venues nationwide. Since a young age, in his native South Yorkshire, Tom has been hailed a guitar prodigy.With high profile support slots including Dr. Feelgood, Danny Bryant, Lawrence Jones, as well his own headline shows and major rock, blues and country festivals across the UK and EU.

Described as an all round performer, whose skills are beyond his years, with nods to rock, blues, country and Americana, with southern soul infused in its core. The live performances are delivered with passion, heartfelt soul drenched musicianship and explosive drive, with guitar firepower. “If you see Killner listed as playing in your town or city anytime soon, go and see him – I know I will”

Since forming the band, Tom has recorded three albums, two studio albums, a live album and an EP. This on top of appearing on recordings with Dr. John, Iggy Pop, Jeff Beck, Gary Moore.

The 2018 album Get Back Up was described as the album that bigger names spend most of their career working towards, fresh, vital, intense, soulful and rock hard. Hard Road, released in 2015, described as a retro sounding blues rock album with southern influence, interspersed with passionate playing from Tom and the band.

Giants of Rock reviewer, festivals for all, said he had witnessed one of the best sets he could remember for a long time. Tom's throaty vocals were not only tremendous but incredible, with exceptional guitar playing. Slide guitar, and “honky tonk” returns from the keys player Wes, was a thing of beauty. In such hallowed company, to be picked as one of the FFA sets of the festival is simply an indication of the quality of the talented musicianship.

Friday 31^st January 2025

JOHN CARROL & THE BLUES REVELATION

John Carroll is an acoustic blues musician with a wide range of blues influences.

He plays a mix of traditional blues standards and his own compositions in his uniquely improvised style, but never too far away from his blues roots.  He has a great rapport with the audience and likes to get everybody involved with the music.

An evening with John will take you on a journey of over a century of music and definitely leave you wanting more.

 "A mesmerising solo acoustic bluesman and performer, definitely a name to watch out for"

Colin Campbell: Blues Matters Magazine

BRIAN RAWSON BAND

Brian was the guitar player in Belfast band, The Tearjerkers (Good Vibrations/Phonogram) who toured with Thin Lizzy, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Doll by Doll and Rachel Sweet and played guitar with Jimmy Bain (Rainbow/ Wild Horses/Dio) on demo’s for the band, Rogue Male which Jimmy produced and played bass.

Brian relocated to the U.S. and played guitar on singer/songwriter Jon Lacabanne's album "Amen", The Groove Monsters debut album and Gary Stipe & Whiskey Hill’s E.P.

He recorded all the guitars on Irish singer/songwriter, Deidre Cunningham's album "Sunny Days" and returned to the U.S. to play a one-off gig in Nashville with "Handsome" Mick Rowe's band, "Nineteen88" before returning to the UK where he joined Brian Connolly in "Sweet" for a UK tour.

He formed the Brian Rawson Band eight years ago and the current line-up consists of bass player, Doug Heede, of the Scottish band, Sinister Flynn, who have released three albums to date, vocalist, Darran Anderson formerly of the bands, Davy Jones Quest and Black Friday and drummer, Adrian Treacher

RED GIANT

Red Giant (formerly The Dave Simpson Trio) was formed by Dave in 2007 and has gone through many line-up changes before reaching the perfect one, that it is right now.

Every Red Giant gig is different as the band likes to stretch themselves to their absolute limits and in doing so, gives the crowd a different experience every night. John Joe’s drumming is full feel and groove whilst holding the time down effortlessly for Carina to lock in with her thunderous bass playing. This is what gives Dave the ability to float over the top of the fantastic rhythm section to add an extra texture to the songs that are constantly changing. This is very much an old school way of playing, and the band love to play this way.

Red Giant are currently recording their second album with a view to a major launch in the summer and gigging in the autumn.

THOMAS HEPPELL

From the vibrant South Coast of the UK to stages across the nation, join Thomas as he crafts the next chapter in UK blues. With a style encapsulating the heart of Blues, the energy of Rock & Roll, and the sophistication of Jazz, Thomas can command a solo stage or drive the rhythm in his dynamic three-piece ensemble.

 His musical journey has seen him share the limelight with established acts such as Chicken Shack, Catfish, Connor Selby, Brave Rival and The Cinelli Brothers. In 2022, he graced stages alongside household names like Anton du Beke of Strictly Come Dancing fame. He’s also left his mark at illustrious venues and events such as The Tuesday Night Club Ronnie Scotts, Lincoln Jazz Cafe, Broadstairs Blues Bash, Swanage Blues Festival, and Weyfest.

 Both his Album ’Thomas Heppell' and EP, 'Be My Home', not only received airwaves love from, BBC, Planet Rock, Jazz FM and Blues Radio UK but also secured him nominations at the UK Blues Awards 2023 and 2024. With nods for Best Young, Emerging, and Acoustic Blues Artist, it's evident Thomas is a force to be reckoned with in British Blues. His was named one of the top 5 emerging artist to come out of the UK in 2024.

Saturday 1^st February 2025

JACK-AUSTIN DEPSY BLUES BAND

Jack is a talented, rising young guitar player. His two passions are Blues and Country music. Jack learned to play harmonica when he was six. He quickly moved on to guitar and requested lessons when he was seven. Jack was soon performing at school and hosting concerts in the garden. At the age of nine he started jamming with experienced adult musicians where he learned to improvise. At age eleven he was interviewed and played live on Chelmsford Community Radio, and he began to play at venues such as Chelmsford City Football Club and Bond Street Christmas market. Jack played at the Rory Gallagher Festival UK in Nantwich in 2021 and in 2022 was invited to open the show.

Leon is following in his fathers’ footsteps, and began playing Bass around six years ago. Initially jamming with friends from school, he joined a band formed by his Bass teacher, with a few of his students, and they played gigs in Southend as part of Southend YMCA All In Music. Having joined several bands previously, he has now found his home in this Blues Rock band. Leon also plays guitar and is the perfect addition to the band.

Vincent has been playing drums for around eight years, playing in various bands and ensembles for roughly five years. He also plays in his brothers’ band, “Yesterday’s Prophecy”. He has a huge passion for drums and any/all music containing drums. Vincent has knowledge of a wide variety of genres and styles and is a huge asset to the band.

AMBA TREMAIN

Whether she's out acoustically or with her full band, 

ALBANY DOWN

Bedford-based Albany Down are a contemporary rock band with influences ranging from classic acts like Hendrix and Led Zeppelin to more modern bands such as Thunder. They combine a diapason of original songs with contemporary high energy rock.

Albany Down comprises founder member Paul Turley on lead vocals and guitars, Ben Atkins on bass and backing vocals and Pete Hancock on drums and backing vocals. Albany Down have recorded 4 studio albums with multi award-winning producer Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers, INME, Super Furry Animals)

Blues Rock Review offered a fair assessment of their 2011 debut album: “South of the City” is a solid debut album from Albany Down and they will be an interesting band to watch develop in the coming years”. The album clearly showcased what the band are capable of – ranging from the superbly arranged “Mercy” to the low-down dirty, slide-led blues rock epic of the title track. South of the City was also recently awarded “Song of the Decade” by Severn FM at the 2022 Cambridge Rock Festival.

TOO BAD JIMS

The Too Bad Jims are named after the seminal RL Burnside album and formed in January 2023 as a collaboration between two veteran and multiple award-winning musicians Little Victor and Son Jack Jr. They play a gritty high-octane mix of North Mississippi Hill Country blues and boogie.

Their unique and unusual combination of dual vocals, dual guitars and rock-solid driving rhythm section delivers the kind of raw, hypnotic and gritty sound you’d expect to only hear in a North Mississippi juke joint

Sunday 2^nd February 2025

KIRRIS RIVIERE AND THE DELTA DU BRUIT

“As debut albums go, this one is very good indeed" Leon Blanc, Blues in Britain 

“Live, alive and rumbling, like the old masters taught us. 5stars” Michel Estermann, Blues

and Jazz magazine, Switzerland “Deserves to be taken into account, thanks to their approach to genuine real blues that could be tasted in those dark southside Chicago clubs. Very good" La Hora Del Blues, Barcelona 

PAUL COOK BLUES BAND

Originating from North West Kent, The Paul Cook Blues Band was formed in 2007 and have been working ever since.

Playing a long list of venues and festivals all over the UK and beyond. Pre pandemic The PCBB hosted Blues Revue shows at the original Ealing club premises on Ealing Broadway.  On one such occasion the band were joined by Legendary Chicago Bluesman Jim Kahr, who they were backing on his UK dates.   For 2023 Paul is looking forward to doing some shows with his sister in Blues Katie Bradley and a new album has been recorded due for release later this summer.

‘The Blues has been my main genre as a listener since I was 14 years old, Buddy Guy and Clapton are my biggest single influences, but I have a huge love for the music of many other Blues greats, Sonny Boy Williamson, John Lee Hooker, Albert King, BB King, Freddie King, T-Bone Walker, Big Maceo, Elmore James, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Muddy Waters, Big Bill Broonzy…….. and a whole lot more. If you don’t love the blues you got a great big hole in your soul.’

BAG 'O' BONES

Bag O' Bones are a Blues rock trio from Hertfordshire. The three piece expand on their blues roots with their Classic rock, Grunge and Jam band influences, taking listeners or trippy extend jam passages and also playing well crafted linier songs .  The band is comprised of brothers Elliot and Oliver Stout (formerly of Southbound ) on guitar and bass and drummer Josh Parrott.

For A fresh take on a classic genre, Bag O' Bones won't disappoint

SLOE TRAIN

Blues rock runs in the veins of these guys, five established musicians who burst onto the national blues scene in 2023, opening the main stage at Upton Blues Festival.

There first recording, Eclectic Blues caught the attention of Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason who commented “In a music landscape packed with bands all too often working the classics, it’s great to hear a band delivering strong original material, how good it is to revisit the original values of playing with freedom, minimal production and maximum impact.

High praise indeed, and as the bands blend of dynamic guitar led blues and high energy vocals have developed then so has the chance to gain more national exposure with Support slots for Brave Rival, Buxton Blues festival and Colne Blues Festival just a few of the planned gigs for this year, as well as a slot on the introducing stage at the UK Blues, Rhythm & Blues Festival in Blackpool in early 2025.

A live EP and second album are planned, so drop by, have a listen and say hello. “Have Blues will Travel”