AYNSLEY LISTER
Featured in Total Guitars 2024 ‘Greatest
Blues Guitarists Of All Time’ readers poll, Lister is considered
by many to be 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, effortlessly combining blues,
soul, Americana, rock and sometimes even pop elements.
Expect an evening of fan favourites from
his extensive back catalogue mixed with newer material from his
most recent highly acclaimed albums.
For fans of: Gary Clarke Jnr., Eric
Clapton, The Black Keys, John Mayer, Tedeschi Trucks
“A supergroup for the 21st Century” Chris
Welch, Melody Maker
“Superb” –The Times
“Masterful and measured songwriting” -R2
Magazine
“A quite marvellous guitarist of passion
and strength, and with a fine distinctive voice” - Record
Collector Magazine
“Aynsley really knows how to shape a
solo, when to hold back and when to step on the gas... Fine
songs, a top-notch band, powerful production and a mix of great
tones this is British blues at its finest, but with a catchy
rock edge.” - Guitar Techniques Magazine
Connolly
Hayes
Having
only debuted earlier this year, Connolly Hayes have already made
giant strides within, and beyond, the blues/rock/soul community,
largely on the reputations of the principal members. Jess Hayes
emerged onto the South London scene as a teenager having been
raised on classic rock and soul by her musician parents and
quickly gained a reputation amongst the blues and soul
cognesenti. She has also recently enjoyed a 4 chairs turn on
ITV's 'the Voice', but more importantly, Jess is finding her own
'voice' with this new project, alongside her friend Frankie
Connolly, who himself has gained a stellar reputation as both a
great singer and astonishing guitar player. Connolly Hayes
aren’t just a duo though, they are a fully fledged band with
Richard Clarke, another noted vocalist/guitarist, alongside Joe
Mac on keys, Beau Barnard on bass and Andy Wilder on drums.
Their 2024 debut album 'Remember Me' release was an immediate
IBBA (collaboration of 100 blues radio stations) 'Pick of the
Month' and the band has already attracted an exceptionally high
volume of Festival and touring offers, internationally.
“Truly
astonishing” – Classic Rock Magazine
“F***ing amazing!” – Jeff Beck
“A REALLY good player” – Gary Moore
“So amazing!” – Beth Hart
“Killer!” – Kenny Wayne Shepherd
“Unbelievable!” – Richie Kotzen
“Exudes class & prowess” – Guitar
Techniques Magazine
“Ben Poole is the full package” –
Maverick Magazine
“Definitely one to watch” – Guitarist
Magazine
“A really fresh sound and style” –
Paul Jones (BBC Radio 2)
“This is a young man to look out for
as he is no doubt a rising talent” – Blues Matters Magazine
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!
Amba
Tremain
Amba Tremain and her band bring you the sound of ‘Cinematic
Rhythm & Blues’. A cross of genres that blend brand new music
with old school influences, creating songs that have the power
to transport you back in time. Whether she's out acoustically or
with her full band, Amba delivers a huge, unadulterated show and
packs a big punch with her vocals. Her songs are real stories
about passion, love, heartbreak and honest feelings, some will
even move you to tears.
Nominated in 2024’s ‘Emerging
Act of the Year’ by the U.K Blues Federation, The Amba Tremain
Band are about burst onto the scene and have been quoted as ONE
TO WATCH!
A big sound with even
bigger presence. Do not miss them live…
‘Excellent
sets by one of the tightest live bands around, with one of the
most talented singer/songwriters out front. They deserve much
greater recognition’ - Richard Donnelly Coolham Live Music Club
‘Real
Soul, festival bookers should snap this show up while they can
afford to. Powerhouse doesn't describe the half of it' - Mark
Ede BiGiAM Promotions
‘So
much soul in her voice, so powerful, this song is a proper
earworm and will totally stay in your head. This track really
shows off her vocals and what a powerhouse voice she has' -
Steph N @ BBC introducing
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!
Bison
Hip were formed by long - time friends during a lockdown Zoom
call in 2020. "I don't know who suggested it first" explains
vocalist Paul, "but right away it seemed like a great idea.
Maybe it was the mid-life crisis at play!" The band are all over
50, with the exception of keyboard player and spring chicken,
Stephen, clocking in at a youthful 41. By the time they finally
got together in early 2021, the blueprint was clear. "We wanted
to take our love of blues and rock, then mix it up with our
experiences in life" adds Paul. "Between us, we've been through
so many things in life, big ups and huge downs, some successes
and a whole load of failures, we wanted all of that in the
music. Lastly, we needed to wrap it all up in the DNA of our
hometown, Glasgow, and hopefully that's what we've achieved".
With 2 EP's already released, the ethos is clear: real
musicians, real instruments, no click tracks, culminating in a
unique blues rock sound that tells real life stories. With a
debut album on the way in April 2023, Bison Hip have hit the
ground running. "We've arrived at the party fashionably late, so
we're making up for it now!"
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