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”.
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.
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.
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