Sidemen: Long Road to Glory (12A) Tuesday 2nd October
On the eve of Leek’s Blues and Americana festival featuring over 50 acts over 5 nights, we are privileged and excited to bring you the UK premiere of the amazing Sidemen: Long Road to Glory, an intimate look at the lives and legacies of three legendary bluesmen: piano player Pinetop Perkins, drummer Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith, and guitarist Hubert Sumlin, all Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf sidemen.
The film captures some of the last interviews and final live performances, before their deaths in 2011. The historic live shows are accompanied by personal insights from many of the blues and rock stars these legendary musicians inspired, including Joe Bonamassa, Gregg Allman, Bonnie Raitt. Including a short talk from Mike Gledhill.
USA 2017 77 mins (Director: Scott D. Rosenbaum)
Beast (15) Tuesday

Mike Gledhill & friends entertain the Wednesday Market shopping crowd with good old fashioned acoustic Blues & Americana, fuelled by Joules.

The Guy Tortora Band

Born & raised in Pasadena, California, Guy Tortora is currently based in London, in the UK.

What he does as a songwriter and performer is what people like to call Americana these days  —  a hard term to define as it seems to mean different things depending on who you’re talking to.  But if to you it means original songs, well constructed and well performed, in some of the various musical idioms that originated in the USA  —  blues, jazz, folk and roots  —  and also interpreting the work of other writers in these genres with depth and feeling, then you should check out his work if you haven’t already.

Over the last few years he has laid claim to a unique niche on the Blues ‘n’ Roots scene in the UK and European Continent, from small clubs and theatres to festivals. His two recent solo albums received a warm welcome in the Blues ‘n’ Roots reviews, a third album was released in 2008 to great acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike. When travelling light, he performs in stripped down acoustic mode either on his own, or accompanied by bass or keyboards. At many UK gigs he appears with the Guy Tortora Band, his own four-piece outfit of accomplished musicians from the UK and Europe. With this band he has performed live with artists as diverse as Eric Clapton, Pee Wee Ellis, John Cleary and Eric Bibb. He has gigged across North America and much of Europe. He also performs solo, and in duo or trio format with his regular members of the Guy Tortora Band: bassman Costa Tancredi, or keys player Janos Bajtala.

Guy is a guitar player of some accomplishment and a distinctive songwriter. On both acoustic and electric guitars he plays finger style, and is a fine bottleneck and slide player. His playing is not the flashy guitar-slinger style beloved of bluesrockers everywhere, but understated, and leaves room for the songs to make an impact, whether his own or the “covers” he performs that include many old standards and traditional tunes as well as songs by more recent American writers such as Eric Bibb or Kreig Viesselman.

Dave Luke & Chuck Micallef

DAVE LUKE & CHUCK MICALLEF enjoy a musical partnership that stretches back over 20 years. Equally at home in theatres, clubs, at house concerts or on large festival stages, the duo manage to create the intimate, jovial atmosphere of a front porch picking session wherever they go. The blend of Chuck’s Singer-Songwriter influences and Dave’s leanings towards Honky Tonk and Western Swing, combined with their mutual love of Traditional Country and Bluegrass produces an entertaining and varied programme that leaves no part of the Americana genre untouched.

The King’s Pistol are a unique, acoustic-driven trio from Cheshire. Formed in late 2014, the band secured a number of plays of their demo tracks on BBC Introducing, which encouraged them to record their debut album ‘Long was the Road, Dark was the Night.’ The Album was recorded over 4 days, entirely live to tape and released on vinyl through their own ‘Duel Real Records’ in the Autumn of 2015. The record is stocked in local independent record stores, through the bands online store and in line with their DIY / Punk rock ethic, sold from the boots of their cars. The sound of the band draws from the darker side of English folk music as well as Americana and 60’s psychedelia such as Love and The Doors. The band is currently playing an extensive number of gigs across the Northwest and Midlands to promote their 2nd album “Songs from the Ghost Road” and is currently looking for gigs further afield. Alongside the album the band have released a single “Wedding Song” which is accompanied by a video directed by local filmmaker John Williams.

Steve Giddings will be entertaining diners enjoying the great value Tapas Thursday, always a popular night at Leek Bar & Grill

Mike Gledhill hosts this year’s festival Leek Blues & Americana Acoustic Session.

Now a regular monthly feature at the Cock Inn, expect some of the local areas amazing musical talent on display includeing Jaxhill, Pete Latham, Bill Dyson amongst others.

Phil and Mike met at university many moons ago. We wrote songs and played them in folk and blues clubs across the midlands. We lost touch for many years as jobs and families took centre stage. We’re back playing live now, growing older disgracefully and having a very good time.

Mike West has a reputation as an honest and engaging performer. Beginning his musical journey as the frontman and guitarist for a thrash metal band, Mike traded in his electric guitar for an acoustic and began paying homage to his love of delta blues, folk and country while remaining true to his metal and rock roots.

Bring over some of your old Motown records
We’ll put the speakers in the window and we’ll go
On the roof and listen to the Miracles
Echo to the alley down below….

Fine ales, great food, good company and classic tunes on vinyl.
BYOV (Bring Your Own Vinyl), we’ll provide the rest!

Leek-based Funk Station is a 7-piece live band that specialises in 70’s & 80’s hi-energy funk, soul and disco. This is one arts festival event not to miss.

A gifted guitarist and prolific songwriter, Joel Gardner is a refreshingly unique artist with a diverse palette of inspired, original songs. He uses all parts of the guitar to create melodic, catchy music with powerful, thought provoking lyrics. His songs simply explode with positive energy.

With a heartfelt tribute to the late Chuck, Berry family endorsed Dominic ‘Chuck Berry’ Cooper and his Combo are set to storm the Red Lion with some amazing Rock, Rythmnand Blues.

Lo- Fi Rock n Soul & Rockabilly fueled with energy!!

Leek-based Blues Band covering Chicago blues from the late 50s / early 60s mainly and predominantly inspired by the chess label greats!

Mark Turner – Vocals/Harmonica

Andy Broster – Bass

Rob Rosenberg – Drums

Phil Edge – Guitar

selection of contemporary acoustic covers from Josh

Old Ben is!
Chris Birdsall: vox/guitar
Sara Beth: vox/woodrow
Ollie: Drums
Liam: Bass

https://www.oldben.co.uk/about-the-band

Cajun, Zydeco, Swamp ‘n’ Roll from the bayous of Staffordshire

“For the past 25 years Elvis Fontenot have turned traditional cajun and zydeco music, eclectic covers and original songs into their own trademark high energy Swamp’n’Roll. Expect an infectious and danceable good time.”

Field Manual are a collaboration from members of The Christophers, ADOM (USA based, Richard Barbieri – Japan/Prorcupine tree produced), Bobbie Peru, Iron Weed Project & The Pioneers and have released their Debut album ‘Someday Streets’ on 1st May 2017.
“An Americana-insprired road trip as much as a band, this original retro rock quartet echo route 66, mellow vibes and the nostalgia of a direct drive 33.
With a sound that will take you through the wastelands of middle America to the scenic Cali coastline and back to the City That Never Sleeps. Sensitively elevating Americana to visions of the great frontier with a deep sonic twist”.

Local acoustic open mic host Pete brings alittle bit of country to the mean streets of Leek

Local acoustic duo Dan & Joe extertain the shoppers and festival goers – please give generously

With a mixture of covers and some original compositions Donnah learnt her craft on the local Open Mic circuit and has now started to gig as a solo performer.

Singer-songwriter Benjamin Bassford is a dynamic and versatile artist whose retertoire spans Blues, Roots, Folk and Country. While tipping his hat to the greats, Benjamin brings his own cards to the table to create a unique and innovative style.

Liam Ward is one of the UK’s most respected harmonica players. He is a winner of the National Harmonica League Player of the Year, and fronts his own band, The Liam Ward Band, as well as playing with the Rumblestrutters and The Jake Leg Jug Band among others.

‘Benjamin has certainly put himself up there with the best’ – Blues Matters Magazine
‘Liam Ward is a great harmonica player!’ – Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2

Pete & Al team up as an acoustic blues and roots duo, based in Staffordshire and Cheshire. We play our own interpretation of Blues, Jazz with a West Coast feel thrown in for good measure.

Bill makes a long awaited return with his all new electric line-up, after concentrating on solo acoustic gigs in recent years’. . .Bill, Pete Latham, Al Bruce, Andy Yates and special guests….

If you love music from the soul, delivered with passion and conviction, then Bluebyrd is the band for you. Our music is part folk/part rock, spiced with aspects of pop and country, resulting in Bluebyrd’s dark-folk-rock; a unique sound that is both warm and edgy, leaving your feet tapping, heart skipping, head buzzing and your eyes shedding an occasional tear.

Lawson Vallery:

Lawson Vallery sure has come a long way since taking guitar lessons from Roy Orbison. He grew up in the Texas oil fields listening to WSM radio broadcasting songs from the Grand Old Opry about cowboys, broken hearts and trains. At 15 years old he quit school and took to the sea as a sailor, and worked as cook on an oil tanker. At the age of 17 he entered the military, and after three years as a soldier, he returned to civilian life in the south of Louisiana and worked as a welder in the oil industry. It was the oil industry that led Lawson to Stavanger and Norway, as project co-ordinator for the construction of two offshore platforms. Poetry and music have always been a passion, but one he kept in his back pocket until just a few years ago. In 2011 he published a collection of poems and lyrics in his book, From The Heart. Regular work with his band has led Lawson Vallery to being commissioned to perform for the US embassy in Norway, as well as the 4th of July festival. Lawson was also one of the vocalists at the All-Star event that paid tribute to his friend Kris Kristofferson in Oslo. Lawson Vallery Band is made up of first class musicians, people who have worked with acts like Mercury Motors, Grenseland, Kenny Loggins, Joe Sun, Paul McCartney and Casino Steel. The album “TEXIANA” was released to great reviews in June 2018.

Lawson Vallery – vocals

Steve Ajao and Stewart Johnson combine the musical influences of early country blues, invoking the sound of the Mississippi Delta juke joints. They embrace material from a wide collection of artists including Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and many more.

Formed in Spring 2014, BSB cover a wide range of Blues songs in their own style.

Storming the Birmingham music scene, this newly formed vibrant mix of Midlands based musicians have already had huge success at the Birmingham International Jazz Festival and local venues, tipped as the the “best find in 2016”. A high energy band, playing Emma’s original blues tracks all the way through to more recent covers. However you won’t of heard them played like this before! Featuring Baz Newey on bass, Dan Machin on guitar and Roy Adams on drums.

Zacc Rogers performs using the latest looping technology to create a sound scape which includes beat boxing, harmonica and guitar.  All this is done live in front of the audience (no prerecording). Zacc also likes to perform songs which are as traditional and as far away from modern technology as you can get. At the heart of Zacc’s music is a strong Blues sound but he also blends and brings to the mix elements of Soul, Jazz, Yee-Haa, Rock & Roll, Gospel, Folk and Reggae.

If you like hoodoo harmonica and electric blues,
Automatic Annie is the blues band for you.

Their combined musical experience
is a genuine vintage number.
​
Jump on This Train and get your Mojo Working. ​
Enjoy the ride with Automatic Annie and their electric blues machine.
All Aboard!

Anders is an artist and songwriter from Fauske in Nordland, starting his band career early in the teens, where he sang and played the guitar. He comes from a musical home with several singers and musicians, and has sung in several genres over the years, but country music is closest to his heart. Anders is today also vocalist in Dusty Boots, one of the most popular country bands in the Norwegian northern counties. 

The Missing Link is a vastly experienced and talented five-piece band based in Stoke-on-Trent, playing an eclectic mix of classic pop-rock songs with a little bit of soul, mostly from the 60’s and 70’s, but including some less-obvious and more adventurous numbers.

In 2014 Chris Bevington realised a lifetimes ambition to record a Blues based album drawing on influences such as Robert Cray, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Walter Trout, Eric Clapton and Joe Bonamassa. After months of hard work, the first album ‘ Chris Bevington and Friends’ was released to critical acclaim here in the UK, USA and globally. The album charted in the UK Blues charts on 4 occasions during 2014, 2015 & 2016 and in the USA Blues charts in 2015. The Album went on to receive fantastic reviews in Classic Rock, Blues in Britain and numerous Music and Radio organisations across the Blues and Rock world.

Album 2 followed in 2016 and the band included a host of Guest Musicians, Manfred Mann’s vocalist Robert Hart, 2017 Blues UK Award winning vocalist – Rebecca Downes, Chris Aldridge from The Climax Blues Band, Steve Overland from UK rock band FM and 10cc drummer Paul Burgess. Album 2 also charted in the UK Blues Charts 5 times and added to the 2016 Top 40 Playlist and also Airplay by Paul Jones – BBC Radio 2. The current line-up of this highly popular nine-piece outfit features Jim Kirkpatrick from FM, plus the fabulous duo Vocals of Kate Robertson and Sarah Miller from Nearly Dan and the Vocal and Guitar talents of Scott Ralph. The band are also lucky to have a fantastic Brass section comprising of Adrian Gibson (Trumpet) and Mike Yorke (Sax) to complete the 9-piece line-up.

The Band has just released Album 3 ‘Cut & Run’ earlier on in 2018 to critical praise and are really looking forward to playing tracks from it

Band Members
Jill Povey – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar.
Farnham Heywood – Vocals/Acoustic Guitar/Harmonica

A lot of plushy numbers in a laid back manner!
Acoustic Blues, Jazz, Americana and a whole lot more besides

Tight, slick and lots of humorous laugh out loud banter tonight with everyone chirping in with some nice one liners and some nifty stage wear from the new guy. With a powerful vocal, again keeping within the ethos of the Extra’s high octane brand of R&B it’s the Extras we know and love but with a bit…..well…Extra.

The established rhythm section of Macconnell/Wedgbury join forces with guitar slingin vocaliser Pat Mcgreen to create a stompy Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll trio.

We play tunes made famous by the likes of Tinsley Ellis, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Walter Trout, Vince Taylor, Guitar Shorty, Free, Rory Gallagher, The Pirates, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Eric Clapton.

This blistering Bristol-based duo hit with the force of a much bigger unit. A stand-up drummer who also delivers keening vocals, and a crunchy, dextrous, raging guitarist – the perfect girl/boy, punk-blues alchemy.

Husky Tones’ punk blues style favours the common rawness, simplicity and emotion shared between the punk and blues genres. Live it is delivered by the unique set up of standing singer-drummer Victoria Bourne and guitarist Chris Harper. Formed as a duo in August 2016 Husky Tones’ approach to punk blues mirrors what they love as audience members: inventive, individual and fully aware of tradition without being a slave to it.

Husky Tones’ musical, lyrical and sonic influences include contemporary and classic punk blues acts such as The Bonnevilles, Miraculous Mule, Bob Log III, The Gun Club, punk legends Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, the music of the North Mississippi Hill Country artists such as R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, Cedric Burnside, and alternative rockers Morphine, The Black Keys, Nick Cave, and PJ Harvey.

Husky Tones’ songs have been played on national radio including the BBC Radio Two Blues Playlist and by Paul Jones on BBC Radio Two as well as international radio. Their 2017 album ‘Who Will I Turn To Now?’ has been album of the week on radio stations in the USA, UK, and Europe. They have been described as ‘Artist to watch’ in ION Indie Magazine USA with ‘Momentum’ as a featured video. They have built a reputation for intense live shows performing headline shows at places such as London’s 100 Club, Fiddlers Elbow and Blues Kitchen, Brighton’s Latest Bar, The Fleece in Bristol and national UK festivals.

Always captivated by raw, cathartic music and with a keen eye on current events Husky Tones politically charged punked up blues is coming to a juke joint near you.

Imported by The Wilkes’ Head management from Ypres, Belgium especially to add even more international to this year’s festival mix.

​Ged Wilson is now well established on the British blues scene. He has toured the nation and has three albums under his belt. With much radio airplay and favourable reviews Ged is now starting to make his mark.

Fantastic local musicians combine to form Mitigation for some country vibes, there’s no risk these wont delight music fans

“Relationships, road rage – I draw on everything I’ve experienced. And then I feel a lot better when people listen because they’re like ‘I get it’. That’s what creates a link between me and my audience. If it’s in the right setting, it’s really engaging. I get, not a buzz, but I appreciate the audience more, and they can appreciate what I’m doing.”

.44 Pistol are a young, high energy electric blues band. Slide guitar driven, stripped back & dirty, they bring together the laid back country blues of artists such as Mississippi Fred McDowell with the raw electric sound of contemporary bands like the White Stripes. Up-tempo, rough & ready this is music to drink, dance and stomp your feet along to.

The band play a mix of originals, re-written old blues songs and known covers.

Although based in Stafford, since forming in 2008 they’ve clocked up around 10,000 miles, honing their style at pubs, clubs and festivals across the country & proving just how much gear it’s possible to fit into a Ford Fiesta. The band have received radio play on local stations from Essex to the Peak District, been reviewed by Blues in Britain & reached fans as far away as France and Poland. All of which they have managed without a bass player.

RnB on steroids…..”a little Malpractice never hurt anyone”.
Malpractice are a bunch of naughty boys who should know better. Our mission…To bring Feelgood to the people from Harecastle Delta to the Bathpool Jetty. Influences include 70’S R&B, Pub Rock, The Blues, The Chris Bevington Blues Band.

The Norwegian guitarist/singer/songwriter Bjoern Nilsen has had his songs performed by such greats as Jason Ringenberg, Joe Sun, Big Hand, Stephen Ackles, Casino Steel etc. The international tv-series “Dag”, NRK (the Norwegian state broadcaster) programs such as “Nordlandsbanen – minutt for minutt” and “Saltstraumen – minutt for minutt”, plus the American movie; “Northern Railway: A Journey Across the Arctic Circle”, all contain songs written by Nilsen. Recent critically acclaimed hit releases such as Petter Baarli (Backstreet Girls) – “You Petter B og Goode”, and Big Hand – “50 Years On The Road”, contains 3 and 4 tracks co-written by Nilsen, including the European top 5 single; Starting All Over Again. Nilsen has also several co-writes with top writers such as Austin Church, Claudia Scott and Byron Hill. He has co-written seven songs of the successful Big Hand + Benoni album, including the European top 5 single; The Life and Times of a Singing Cowboy, released in 2017.

The Bluesmakers, the former John Waterhouse blues band from North Staffs, still going strong after 30 years!

Leek’s very own Les Hunt (Climax Blues Band) teams up again with fellow Hunter band members Fastfret Nick Egan on Bass, Cathouse Les Critchlow on skins. Always a good gig.

Tom Robinson, 6Music

‘Based in Market Drayton, Heidi Emma Peach Browne has been writing and gigging for ten years. Creativity and performance chops are like muscles – the more you use them, the stronger they get. People didn’t place this track in their favourite five because of its hifi production values or glossy arrangement; they loved it because the writing is sharp and direct and the vocal performance is absolutely f*cking immaculate. When most of us get up with a guitar to sing, we tend to concentrate on the playing and throw away the vocal into a nearby microphone almost as an afterthought. Whereas what the audience wants to hear is somebody telling them a story – straight and direct, person to person, heart to heart. Girlfriend is a masterclass in how to do just that – in a radiofriendly 2’39″ flat. Will we be including her on the BBC Introducing Mixtape next month? Damn straight.’

We mainly play music from the 1950’s era and sing well known harmonies from great performers such as The Everly Brothers, The Beatles, Elvis Presley

FXLW:

A new idea for the 2018 Leek Blues & Americana Festival. An amazing selection of some of the finest Local, National and International Blues & Americana Acts we could get hold of!

For just £10, you’ll get 7 hours of an eclectic mix of talent and with your wristband you can come & go as you please if you fancy nipping out to the Sunday supplement market, grab a bite in the local cafes, restauarnts or bars or want to catch some of the other great gigs which will be going on in town.

*Accompanied Children under 16 years of age will be admitted free of charge.

12 noon Adam Coxon & Rick Ford

1.00pm The Rye Sisters

2.00pm Mean Mary & Frank James

3.30pm Fine Lines

5.00pm Lissy Taylor

5.30pm Strange Blue Dreams

7.00pm Wrap

Local lads Adam & Rick kick off our first FXLW event with a fantastic acoustic mix of country classics and folk originals

Zacc Rogers performs using the latest looping technology to create a sound scape which includes beat boxing, harmonica and guitar.  All this is done live in front of the audience (no prerecording). Zacc also likes to perform songs which are as traditional and as far away from modern technology as you can get. At the heart of Zacc’s music is a strong Blues sound but he also blends and brings to the mix elements of Soul, Jazz, Yee-Haa, Rock & Roll, Gospel, Folk and Reggae.

Appalachian dancing originates from traditional English, Irish and Scottish clogging and stepping styles as danced by the immigrants who settled in the Appalachian Mountains in North America. The dance evolved in remote mountain communities and incorporated steps from the dance style of native Indians and former slaves.

Mind the Step was formed in 1990 by a group of dancers wanting to “do something different “ and we have been performing our unique style of Appalachian dancing ever since! We choreograph all our own dances using traditional Appalachian clogging, stepping and flatfooting styles drawing inspiration from many sources ranging from the American flag in a dance called Liberty to the name of the local pub in Windmills. This energetic and exciting dance form will take your breath away, both dancers and spectators alike!

The Rye Sisters (Ishani and Sue) are a duo from Lincolnshire who perform Americana and folk-country songs in close harmony to guitar, mandolin and fiddle.  They pull from broadly American influences, such as Buddy and Julie Miller, The Civil Wars and the Dixie Chicks.  They recently featured on BBC Radio Lincolnshire to rapturous praise from presenters Jono Brine and Tom Lane: ‘the harmonies are just fantastic! Their voices blend so well together’.

Although they have both been performing music of various kinds for years, they played their official ‘debut’ gig as The Rye Sisters in May 2016 at The Rogue Saint, Lincoln. Sue has performed, written, recorded and won awards with several bands, including The Woodberrys, before the incarnation of the Rye Sisters and played festival stages as well as running harmony and song-writing workshops for festival-goers.  Ishani has a classically-influenced background. During her youth, she spent much time on stage performing musical theatre, jazz and as a member of multiple youth choirs and orchestras. She sang and toured with Pembroke Chapel Choir between 2008 and 10, venturing into the folk and country music scene in 2015 with the emergence of The Rye Sisters.

Mary James, youngest of six children, was born in Geneva, Alabama, though her family lived in Florida, a couple miles below the Alabama line.

Mary learned to read music before she could read words and was an official singer/songwriter before she’d started her first day of kindergarten. With the help of her mom, she wrote her theme song “Mean Mary from Alabam’.” The press immediately baptized her with this handle, and she’s been Mean Mary ever since.

Mary was now playing guitar, banjo and fiddle. She recorded her first album at age six, and spent five hours a day on instrumental and vocal practice along with her live performances. When she upped her music study time to seven hours a day, and her road shows began to multiply, it became impossible for her to attend school. At the end of the second grade, she went into home study. Her guitarist brother, Frank James, who’d now joined her on stage and in the home school program, also excelled in his studies and at age fourteen taught himself trigonometry. He graduated from high school at fifteen.

Mean Mary tours extensively in the US and has performed in Canada, UK, Ireland, and Europe.

Jim McShee hosts at Beyond The Pale

Buxton Boys Bin53/4 will cover the full range of Acoustic Blues, Country and Rock. Band Members Ric Bateman and Dave Speak with the addition of Dave Jones and Tim Kearney make up the ‘The Bin 53 Four’.

Lissy is a young up and coming singer songwriter with a distinctive voice and a skill for writing emotionally charged lyrics that instantly grab your attention and leave you wanting more.

Born and raised in Stoke-on-Trent, England, in January 2015 Lissy moved across the Atlantic to live in Lexington Kentucky, until June 2017. Living in the US provided inspiration for her songwriting, and also influenced her music style. The result is captivating lyrics that transcend you into a unique blend of Americana, Country and Blues. ​Her influences include Norah Jones, Lana Del Rey, Johnny Cash all mixed with a big helping of Kentucky charm.​

Anders is an artist and songwriter from Fauske in Nordland, starting his band career early in the teens, where he sang and played the guitar. He comes from a musical home with several singers and musicians, and has sung in several genres over the years, but country music is closest to his heart. Anders is today also vocalist in Dusty Boots, one of the most popular country bands in the Norwegian northern counties. 

Fine Lines is a project started by singer/songwriter David Boardman in 2016. A long time lover of all things folky and rootsy, David has been writing acoustic based music for many years and has now collected those songs under the banner of Fine Lines.

Influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan & The Band, John Martyn and Mercury era Rod Stewart and also modern day Troubadours such as Ray La Montagne and Ryan Adams, these stripped back, mature songs deal in heartbreak and soul baring. Centred around the core duo of David and co-vocalist Zoe Blythe and accompanied by Gary O’Brien on keyboards, Emily Doggett on fiddle, Alex Berry on bass and Mark Radcliffe on drums, these fine songs shine through

In their short time together, Fine Lines have already played with the likes of folk giants Merry Hell, Mark Radcliffe’s Galleon Blast and John Power (The La’s/Cast). The band’s John Kettle produced debut album ‘Hour Of Need’ is OUT NOW on Parade Recordings and they will be playing live throughout the UK.

Over the years George’s association with an ever-growing list of artistes as diverse as PIXIES MEATLOAF PAUL BRADY SAD CAFE THE WATER BOYS TEENAGE FANCLUB BONNIE RAITT RADIOHEAD the list goes on, has earned him the highest level of respect from those on the ‘inside’ whilst also being able to reach and appeal to those on the ‘outside’ with his rarefied combination of presence, performance and beautifully crafted words of art. Music with a message for all, delivered with a passion – George’s songwriting winds it’s way through pop, rock, country, blue suede tunes in true rock ‘n roll style, socially aware masterpieces with haunting lyrics and those lump-in-the-throat power ballads which carry that definitive GB stamp.

Lawson Vallery:

Lawson Vallery sure has come a long way since taking guitar lessons from Roy Orbison. He grew up in the Texas oil fields listening to WSM radio broadcasting songs from the Grand Old Opry about cowboys, broken hearts and trains. At 15 years old he quit school and took to the sea as a sailor, and worked as cook on an oil tanker. At the age of 17 he entered the military, and after three years as a soldier, he returned to civilian life in the south of Louisiana and worked as a welder in the oil industry. It was the oil industry that led Lawson to Stavanger and Norway, as project co-ordinator for the construction of two offshore platforms. Poetry and music have always been a passion, but one he kept in his back pocket until just a few years ago. In 2011 he published a collection of poems and lyrics in his book, From The Heart. Regular work with his band has led Lawson Vallery to being commissioned to perform for the US embassy in Norway, as well as the 4th of July festival. Lawson was also one of the vocalists at the All-Star event that paid tribute to his friend Kris Kristofferson in Oslo. Lawson Vallery Band is made up of first class musicians, people who have worked with acts like Mercury Motors, Grenseland, Kenny Loggins, Joe Sun, Paul McCartney and Casino Steel. The album “TEXIANA” was released to great reviews in June 2018.

Lawson Vallery Band:
Lawson Vallery – vocals
Tone Stojka – guitar, pedal-steel
Erik Nielsen – harmonica
Thor-Erik Molstad Johansen – bass, vocals
Tracee Meyn – vocals
Øyvind Hansen – drums

The Strange Blue Dreams exist in a parallel world where all music is pop music and therefore everything can be plundered. Their otherwordly pop music runs from the music hall into the jet age and makes “A unique and compelling new sound that re-imagines the roots of rock n’ roll” (Americana UK). The cinematic arrangements of these 5 Scotsmen combine Doo Wop, Bollywood and Spaghetti Western themes with Joe Meek’s reckless invention. Their starting place seems to take Django Reinhardt’s philosophy that a band should be a small orchestra and move it through every decade of the 20th Century. I have no idea what you call it but it sounds like “Menacing surf noir with skiffling eastern rock n’ roll from a parallel universe” (Medicine Music)
Chris Blackmore, Holy Smokes Records

Something different this time- the acoustic will be left at home and I’ll be playing a solo electric set featuring some new blues songs I’ve written alongside some specific covers.

Steve Giddings will be hosting at the Fountain Inn, just a few minutes stroll away from the centre of town.
expect acoustic blues, country, whatever takes their fancy really.

The Norwegian guitarist/singer/songwriter Bjoern Nilsen has had his songs performed by such greats as Jason Ringenberg, Joe Sun, Big Hand, Stephen Ackles, Casino Steel etc. The international tv-series “Dag”, NRK (the Norwegian state broadcaster) programs such as “Nordlandsbanen – minutt for minutt” and “Saltstraumen – minutt for minutt”, plus the American movie; “Northern Railway: A Journey Across the Arctic Circle”, all contain songs written by Nilsen. Recent critically acclaimed hit releases such as Petter Baarli (Backstreet Girls) – “You Petter B og Goode”, and Big Hand – “50 Years On The Road”, contains 3 and 4 tracks co-written by Nilsen, including the European top 5 single; Starting All Over Again. Nilsen has also several co-writes with top writers such as Austin Church, Claudia Scott and Byron Hill. He has co-written seven songs of the successful Big Hand + Benoni album, including the European top 5 single; The Life and Times of a Singing Cowboy, released in 2017.

If you’re still standing by now, you’re doing well!

Join us at The ‘buck for an end of show party with anyone and everyone welcome to play or sing, air guitar, spoons whatever!

Nibs is one of the most extraordinary and exciting world acoustic guitarists to come out of South Africa. Raised in Kwazulu-Natal, growing up listening to The Beatles and learning first hand from traditional Zulu Maskandi guitarists, he quickly soaked up a rich tapestry of his close surroundings and has formulated a truly consummate and original sound.

After playing the local folk scene around South Africa for years, and gathering up a loyal following, his big stage break came when supporting Crosby, Stills and Nash on their 1996 South African tour. After that he was signed to the SHEER label (South African World Music label) where he has released over 10 albums.

His third solo release, BEAUTIFUL FEET received highly acclaimed accolades around the world, where it was album of the month in four German publications and RADIO FRANCE FIP pick of the week. Nibs continues to spread his musical beauty around the world, where he has shared stages with the likes of Ben Harper, Bonnie Rait, Taj Mahal, Gito Baloi, Kelly Joe Phelps, Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin and Shawn Phillips, as well as recording the critically acclaimed, ‘In the shade of the wild fig’, with long-time friend and collaborator, Guy Buttery.

Nibs’ new solo album, NATALIA, was recorded with world renowned producer Mark Tucker (Portishead, PJ Harvey, Jethro Tull), and is available now.