We've received 100's of applications from bands wanting to play and we believe we have an incredibly strong line-up in place for your enjoyment.
The Milk Men (Headliner) 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. In January 2023 The Milk Men were nominated for two UK Blues Awards – Emerging Talent and Best Blues Band. In September the band was one of only five bands chosen to compete at the prestigious UK Blues Challenge. This year sees them take their unique brand of catchy blues rock all over the country playing at festivals everywhere from Cornwall to Carlisle. “The finest rockin’ rhythm’n’blues band in the country” - Blues in Britain Magazine. Brilliant – there aren’t many better exponents of the blues than The Milk Men” - Maximum Volume Magazine Fun, feelgood and wildly entertaining” - Fireworks Magazine
The James Oliver Band James Oliver is one of the UK’s busiest acts playing over 300 gigs a year all over the UK, Europe, and the USA! He has performed over 3000 gigs and shared the stage with many acts including Albert Lee, Bill Kirchen, Deke Leonard, Greg Koch, Walter Trout, Steve Gibbons, Billy Bremner, Geraint Watkins, and many others. In 2020 James won the UK Blues Awards Emerging Artist of the Year and has since been nominated 3 additional times. James Oliver released 2 studio albums 3 live albums and his album Twang was #1 on Amazon Blues Charts for 3 weeks. James is currently working on a new record with legendary producer, John Leckie. James’ YouTube channel has over 20,000 subscribers with over 9 million views. “One of the UK’s most revered and incredible next generation guitar masters” - Giles Robson (UK Blues Harp Legend) “Plain and simple… he’s a genius.” - Holger Engels – Rockin’ Music Reviews, Ireland “James is a passionate roots rocker loaded with guitar firepower.” - Bill Kirchen – guitar legend “James Oliver is regarded as one of the finest players of the next generation.” - Jersey Evening Post “I am not easily impressed by guitarists, but this guy is definitely a comer.” - John Drumbo, (Captain Beefheart) “Pure genius - live music as it should be played” - Blues Matters Magazine
Tom Killner Band Tom Killner, an award-winning powerhouse vocalist and guitar player, who straddles the line between genres with soulfully infused Blues, Southern Rock, Country, and Americana, winning over audiences across the UK and Europe with their highly dynamic show, that takes you on a rollercoaster of hooky riffs and soulful songs from Tom's back catalog. Signing with L.A.-based label, Cleopatra Records early in his career, Tom released two albums "Hard Road" and "Live". His recent independent releases "Get Back Up", "Church House Sessions", and the latest single, "Home", were received to critical acclaim, featured in many publications, receiving great reviews with international airplay, including BBC radio. “If you see Killner listed as playing in your UK/US town anytime soon, go see him – I know I will!” - Exclusive Magazine “This album deserves to shine a spotlight on his promise as an all-round performer and songwriter too.” - 8/10 Classic Rock Magazine “This is a superb retro-sounding blues-rock album with a little bit of southern influence, interspersed with some passionate playing from Tom and packed with a whole lot of soul.” - National Rock Review
Bison Hip “No Spring Chickens…No Bad Thing” – Blues in Britain Following on from their tremendously well-received debut album, Bison Hip look ahead to an exciting 2024. With a new album coming in the spring, and a string of dates across the UK, the guys look to build on the momentum gained in 2023. ‘We’ve been working towards this since we formed during the lockdown’ explains vocalist Paul. Formed by long-time friends during a lockdown Zoom call in 2020, 4 of the 5 members are over 50. “We’re getting older, but the best years aren’t behind us, they’re still to come, and we wanted that feeling in the music. We can’t wait to get out there and show people what we’re all about’ adds Paul. A collection of powerful songs, telling real stories, forged in the band’s hometown of Glasgow, Bison Hip are a unique blues rock band ready to make their mark.
DC Blues It will come as no surprise that DC Blues are once again on the bill but these are the perks when 2 of the band members organise the event. It's been a long road since forming in 2012 as Hobo Joe & The Dead Cats, later shortened to The Dead Cats and finally DC Blues and they are getting noticed nationally within the UK Blues scene. Here's what Blues Matters had to say... "Hard bluesin' at its best" "A cohesive band of top-class musicians, what is not to like" "Highly recommended, go and see this band when you can" "Playing live they are a joy to behold, they are a tight band who really enjoy playing to a crowd" DC Blues have released 2 albums, both of which made the Top 40 in the IBBA Chart (Independent Blues Broadcasters Association) with national & international airplay on countless radio stations. They have also shared the stage with the cream of the UK Blues Scene and recently performed blistering sets at The Great British Rock & Blues Festival in Skegness as well as The O2 Academy in Sheffield as part of HRH Blues VII.
Dirty Ruby Dirty Ruby are a five piece contemporary, but eclectic, sharp edged blues rock band hailing from the East Midlands. Recently compared to 70s Rock bands Stone the Crows and Vinegar Joe, with their eclectic, energetic style of Blues Rock, paired with hammond organ, beautiful bluesy guitar, tight rhythm section and soulful, well delivered lead vocals, Dirty Ruby are starting to carve themselves a local, well respected following on the UK Blues circuit. With a five track EP recorded live and mixed, edited and mastered entirely by the bands bass player Steve Taylor, and their debut single just released, this band of independent artists are now working on completing their debut album.
The 20ft Squid Blues Band The 20ft Squid Blues Band are a Sheffield band playing upbeat, irreverent blues. They combine elements of the 1950’s Chicago style with some of the more wayward aspects of 1960’s blues explosion. They mix in self penned songs with numbers made famous by the likes of Howling Wolf and Little Walter and throw in some by artists not so obviously from the blues tradition such as Tom Waits and Prince. This is fast paced, vibrant blues with eye-popping harmonica, thundering bass, intricate beats, choice guitar and a lot of feel.
Hot-Foot Hall On a family trip to zoo as a child, young Hot-Foot Hall became separated from his family. Finding himself in the tapir enclosure, Hot-Foot was raised by a friendly family of Brazilian tapirs. As well as foraging for roots and tubers, the young man learned a primitive and high energy style of hoof stomping, loud hollering, down home and low down blues.