The UK Blues, Rhythm and Rock Festival took place at the magnificent Blackpool Winter Gardens complex in Lancashire (built 1878) from Friday 2nd February to Sunday 4th February 2024.
Solid Entertainments of Grimsby produced this splendidly organised 3-day event.
The weekend kicked-off in style with a terrific performance from the East Lancashire outfit the Mel Outsider Reformation with the gorgeous and mega-talented Helen May on backing vox, opening the Introducing Stage.
The Brit Rock sensation, the Outsiders UK with Adrian Melling (aka the Outsider) found success over four albums (including the acclaimed Everything’s Gone Vintage, 2016.) His style took our breaths away with its flint and shingle coolness… a bit like the savage wind on Blackpool’s Golden Mile over the weekend. A razor sharp set, to be sure!
Backbone Blues band (bbbluesband), a tight five-piece blues outfit with drums, bass, guitars, and piano/organ, followed and became a resounding success, earning them a sought-after spot on the main stage of the 2025 event. Beale to Bourbon was a treat!
Given that Brave Rival was the first act on the main stage at the breathtaking Empress Ballroom, we couldn’t wait to see them. As expected, their show was an aural whoosh of wow and magic! Though, to be fair, we felt the venue was possibly too large, as in too vast; hence, their exquisite sounds tended to reverberate around the opulent, cathedral-like setting to become absorbed into the miles of velvet and goldleaf. The band’s exceptional performance at the Old Vic Bar’s acoustic stage (on Saturday) validated our belief that the Brave Rival sound resonates better in a less overspread setting.
Later, the jazz-rock legends Colosseum took to the main stage which was headlined by the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Eric Bibb… though the Winter Gardens was a-buzz with the news that Robert Plant was in the building and, sure enough, the great man himself turned up on stage to support the Bonham Bullick show, over at the Blues Matters Stage, at the lovely warm Pavilion Ballroom. Deborah Bonham is the sister of John Bonham and a very capable blues vocalist in her own right, though the musician was suffering throat and chest infections (so she was assisted by the gorgeous Suzi Dian.) Belfast born guitarist-partner Peter Bullick provided cleverly executed guitar with urge & subtlety.
Long Road Home, who performed on Saturday, infused the sounds of the blues into their music on the Introducing Stage. ‘Are We Invisible?’ is the band’s excellent debut album, which concentrates on rock-blues compositions. The band features the undoubted talents of guitarist Steve Summers and vocalist Mike Sebbage (both originally with 1982 band Rien de Faire.) Jimmy Regal and the Royals followed with their characteristic confluence of choppy-blues guitar and broiling fever-pitch harp. Their First and Last Stop album is sultry as stormy weather on the North West Coast and the band’s live performance at Blackpool was superlative.
Half Moon Panic had punters up-and-dancing with their quickfire jesty-zesty rockin’ blues sounds, and the buoyantly inextinguishable Taj Mian on guitar. Gerard Jacques was on bass and vox, with James Dixon on drums.
Mississippi McDonald, the celebrated soul-bluesman from London, brought his superb chocolate voice and delicious cobalt blue-toned guitar to The Old Vic’s acoustic stage. Later, he presented a captivating and poignant all-electric spectacle on the main Ballroom stage.
The Manchester-based guitarist/singer-songwriter Ashley Sherlock delivered his signature guitar sparkles to the main stage too, along with some daring yet seductive falsetto vocals. His songs frequently showcased his thundergust riffs that always come jam-packed with passion and emotion.
Crow Black Chicken (CBC) remains one of our favourite bands; they perform a unique combination of clutch-plate blues, sub-frame hard rock, and diesel-greasy folk.
At the main stage, the Cinelli Brothers showcased their incredible feats and jaw-dropping accomplishments, while the Redfish Blues Band entertained the crowds at the Blues Matters Stage. The Cinellis essentially performed a run-through of their Almost Exactly album: and it was a delightful treat! Sorprendente!
The ever-wonderful multi-award-winning singing songwriter Elles Bailey was on right after the Cinellis. The artist’s latest material showcases the special and distinct facets of her celebrated virtuosity. The subtle reflections of the band and her passionate delivery helped Elles Bailey achieve shimmering redemption.
As British blues rock aristocracy, When Rivers Meet have cemented their place in the rock ‘n’ roll heirship in recent months. Their headline show at the Empress Ballroom was well-earned. They played songs with muscular and precise riff-rhythms, glittering thrusts of starlight voice, and an attitude that is both ruthlessly powerful and steadfastly lovely.
On Sunday the Essex-born singer-songwriter Connor Selby played his retro-style tunes, which encapsulate the essence of authentic blues sounds, to a vast audience at the cramped Acoustic Stage. He opened the Ballroom Stage (after a break) a little later on. The Mighty Bosscats brought their double-tight fresh-beat sounds to the Blues Matters pavilion.
Over at the main stage at the Empress Ballroom, the Ramblin’ Preachers (with James Ives on guitar + Ross Connor on vox and rhythm guitar, Craig Howe bass, Richard Baker, drums) laid down a set of vibrant and heartfelt southern rock vibes. Their Sins & Virtues is a fine slice of excellence.
We were looking forwards to the mischief and coquetry brought by Greta Valenti and Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse (main picture) and we weren’t disappointed! Gris Gris, the band’s theme song, is a glitzy rendition of Boutté’s 2003 song “Treme,” complete with bass chuckles, rhythm grins and honky-tonk piano chuckles. It’s curiously lighthearted (bizarre, since it’s about the impending apocalypse), and, like a werewolf beaming at moonshine, this was alarmingly addictive.
This was a fabulously wonderful weekend filled with skill, ingenuity, joy, camaraderie and kindness. We were pleased that tickets for the weekend to come at this amazing location (winter 2025) are already available thanks to Solid Entertainments, link below! Booking now!
https://www.solidentertainments.com
Words & Images: © Neil Mach
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