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King King are the band to beat. Glasgow’s favourite sons have already been saluted as “the best blues-rock band in the world” (Blues Rock Review), credited for “setting the blues world on fire” (Classic Rock), nominated for Best New Band at the Classic Rock Roll Of Honour and handed back-to-back British Blues Awards. They’ve proved their mettle on bills with Thunder and John Mayall, triumphed as far afield as Mumbai and taken the roof off major venues from the 02 Glasgow to Wembley Arena.

Right now, Alan Nimmo (vocals/guitar), Lindsay Coulson (bass), Wayne Proctor (drums) and Jonny Dyke (organ/piano) are riding high on the success of Exile & Grace. Mixed by Chris Sheldon (Foo Fighters, Feeder, Therapy?), this highly anticipated fourth album tipped them into the huge-time upon its October 2017 release, topping the iTunes and Amazon Blues charts – and scoring a career-best #31 placing on the official UK album chart. “There’s an underlying theme on this latest album,” explains Alan. “Some of the main songs are about the state of the world, y’know, this beautiful blue planet that’s turning into a battlefield. There’s an edgier, rockier feel this time around, but you’ve got the soulful ballads as well. It’s still King King. It’s just what we’re doing now.”

King King haven’t wasted a moment of their white-knuckle career. Formed in 2010, the band’s four-album hot-streak includes 2011’s Take My Hand (Maverick: “Tremendous”), 2013’s Standing In The Shadows (The Blues: “A sure-fire hit”), 2015’s Reaching For The Light and last year’s Live album that topped the Amazon Blues Chart and was called “thumping-good” by Classic Rock.

In 2018, Exile & Grace provides the fuel that drives King King forward to major UK and continental headline dates, summer festival appearances, plus a support slot on Europe’s Walk The Earth tour that will see them warming up crowds everywhere from Glasgow Barrowlands to the Royal Albert Hall. “This is the next chapter in King King’s journey,” says Alan, “and we want to take this band as far as we can…”

It’s been a long road….. one thing for sure is that the Climax Blues Band of today carries the same standard of quality as it did when the band formed back in the late 60s and achieved such great success and recognition through the 70s, the reputation carrying right through until the tragic death of founder member Colin Cooper in 2008.

Colin’s death could have meant the end of Climax Blues Band but his desire was for the band to continue creating the fine blues blend that the band has been associated with since its formation, and that desire has been accepted with relish by the remaining members of the band.

The Brew; a creative, passionate, energetically enthused classic rock band!

From Grimsby, The Brew continue to grow in stature and ever since the release of their international breakthrough “The Joker”, this award-winning trio has become one of Europe's most potent rock acts, combining the musicianship of classic rock with youthful energy and a brash, contemporary outlook.

There aren't too many bands nowadays that get to release six albums. Also, there aren't too many trios in particular that can defend the reputation of being a tirelessly touring excellent live-act, all of which while maintaining the original line-up. The Brew are unique and they step back onto the scene with their new album, "Shake The Tree". Released in the UK on 4 November 2016, as with its predecessor "Control", Tim Smith (bass), Kurtis Smith (drums) & Jason Barwick (guitar/vocals) relied on the fruitful collaboration with Toby Jepson and Veil Studios. And their brand of modern Rock with psychedelic touches was in good hands and over the course of a month they crafted ten songs that comprise a sixth album, that has effectively outgrown any comparisons.

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...

Sporting a slam-bang rock ‘n’ roll band and a hard-core honky-tonk wail, Stacie Collins pushes the boundaries of rock, blues and country. A singer-songwriter and a bad-ass harmonica player in the style of Chicago Blues greats Little Walter and James Cotton, Collins has garnered a reputation for her high energy shows, diverse songwriting and unlike most chick-singers, they are not all about love and heartbreak.

Based in Nashville, TN, Stacie is a road warrior having performed countless shows in the USA and Europe over the past few years and has even spawned a Japanese “Stacie Collins” tribute band. In addition to touring, Collins, along with her writing partner, husband, band mate Al Collins (Jason & The Scorchers) have written, recorded and released five records on her own label.

Had her records been released twenty or thirty years ago, they would have sounded as natural on ’70s FM radio alongside ZZ Top and The Rolling Stones as they do next to contemporary rockers like the Drive-By Truckers or Blackberry Smoke.

When you hear comments such as the above from some of the greatest guitar players of the last century, some of the most respected blues/rock/soul artists in the world today, and some of the leading magazines and radio presenters in Europe, you just know that they have heard something very special. Twenty-eight year old Ben Poole is currently being described as one the most exciting young Rock, Blues & Soul artists to come out of the UK for a long, long time!

The award winning Blues Rock Guitarist, Luke Doherty, started playing Festivals when he was twelve years old, and 10 years later, he hasn’t looked back. After achieving a Rock School first, 2 grade 8’s by the age of 11, it lead to many Newspaper and Radio interviews. While Luke was Ploughing his was through his grades, he was encouraged to record his version of Parisian Walkways of which Gary Moore had a copy. Luke has gone on to play numerous Festivals, Blues Clubs and Music Venues up and down the Country, including the Legendary Cambridge Rock Festival, 100 club London and Upton Blues Festival, to name a few.

Luke is never happier than when he is playing Blues. It all started when he was 7 years old and he found an old music VHS in a cupboard featuring several Blues players. He was enthralled with the playing of Eric Clapton and B.B King, both of which he was extremely honoured to meet a few years later. Over time he also met the great Peter Green, Jeff Healey and Andy Fairweather-Low, and John Mayell which enlightened his passion for Blues even more.

Luke has been truly blessed to share the stage with many fine Blues rock artists including, Ansley Lister, Danny Bryant, Virgil and the Accelerators, Connie Lush, Mike Estes of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Skinny Molly, As well as the Legendary Buddy Whittington, who told the crowd when Luke was on stage with him “This is how the Blues should be played”.

2015 was an exciting time for Luke and his band with the release of their all originals album “Six Strings and a Stetson”. The album has been played all around the world and to rave reviews. With such enthusiasm from the public about the album it has propelled them to go back into the studio to start on another long awaited second all original album, which they hope will be available very soon.
Luke is very fortunate to have the backing of such accomplished musicians in his band, such as:-

The legendary Paul Morgan on vocals and harp, who has shared the stage with Dr Feelgood, Deep Purple, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown to name a few.

Simon Parratt, who has recently obtained a BMus (hons) degree in jazz. His jazz and hard rock influence gives their songs an edge, which makes their songs stand out in the crowd and gives them a little twist. Throughout his musical career Simon has done lots of session work and recording for many Blues, Classic Rock and Jazz bands.

Ant Biggs has been playing bass for many years and toured the world with Cajun Rockers Folk band The Butter Mountain Boys, who received international Musician and Recording Artist of the Year and Arts Council Musician in Residence, with one album charting at number 17, which lead to many Radio and TV appearances throughout the 80s and 90s retiring from music 1995, Ant came out of musical retirement to join the band and to playing Blues with Luke in May 2014.

SOLID ENTERTAINMENTS Presents... NEWPORT BLUES FESTIVAL