SOLID ENTERTAINMENTS BLUES FESTIVALS 2018 NEWPORT/CLEETHORPES/STAMFORD/DURHAM/LEICESTER
Summer 2018 saw a series of blues festivals across the UK organised by the excellent Solid Entertainments team. After the mayhem of 2017's alt-metal-psych festivals the audiences were somewhat older, but no less enthusiastic as the line-ups - a kind of travelling show of British blues stalwarts, up-and-comers and international guests - kicked up a storm of rhythm, blues and rock to rapturous receptions.
Newport saw the brilliant "King King" headlining, with elegant support from the evergreen Climax Blues Band and muscular space-blues newcomers "The Brew". An international flavour was added by the splendid show-woman that is Stacie Collins, with Ben Poole and Luke Doherty as solid show-openers. The gig coincided with the beginning of the 2018 heatwave and the gig was a hot one in every way!
Leicester was headlined by the Great that is Walter Trout who, having had near-death experiences not so long ago and subsequently had to learn how to play the guitar all over again, delivered a scorching set as if nothing had happened. Great guy, great show. The latest incarnation of "Doctor Feelgood" backed him up, and were as rocking as ever, "Climax Blues Band" again put on a classy performance, mostly consisting of new material, while Stacie Collins, Ben Poole and Luke Doherty were as professional and entartaining as before. Another hot one for us and a cracking reception, though electric shocks received early in the piece threatened to make it more of a crackling one!
For Cleethorpes (Moon on the Water) and Stamford (Corn Exchange), the Danny Bryant Big Band took over headlining duties, with Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes stepping in where Climax left off. Also, adding an international flavour, young French bluesman Felix Rabin (with his Italian rhythm section) was added to the bill, showing a touch and maturity beyond his years. The heatwave now fully fledged, they were two more sweaty affairs, but the band made damned sure no-one was dropping off in the late afternoon heat!
Finally there was the long run up to Durham as the heat persisted and the World Cup was in full swing. As so often up in the North East the atmosphere was warm and friendly throughout, the locals irrepressibly enthusiatic and amusing. Climax headlined this one, with Chantel MacGregor and the Stevie Nimmo Trio alongside ourselves and Felix Rabin from the Cleethorps/Stamford line-up. Also playing was the impressive Kris Barras.
Leicester photos by Mick Schofield, Durham photos by Christine Moore
Many thanks to Solid Entertainments for putting on such great shows, hope to see you at some of the festivals planed for 2019 . . . .