Joanne Shaw Taylor – The Trouble With Love
Joanne Shaw Taylor has never been short of attitude, and The Trouble With Love pushes the British blues-rock powerhouse into even more emotionally charged territory. Produced by Kevin Shirley, the album tackles love, heartbreak, resilience and self-discovery, but there is nothing soft-focus or sentimental about Taylor’s approach. Her blues remains tough, muscular and firmly guitar-led. […]
Sari Schorr releases ‘Cool Hand Rider’ as ‘Running Wild’ arrives
Sari Schorr has released the official video for new single ‘Cool Hand Rider’ as her latest album Running Wild arrives in Europe. Released through Provogue Records / Artone Label Group on 9 October, Running Wild is described by Schorr as one of the most personal records of her career, exploring desire, resilience, freedom and transformation. […]
NEW YORK’S GOT THE BLUES IN A BUDDY GUY STATE OF MIND
Words Abbe Sparks Photos by Abbe Sparks & Blackbird Presents… EPIC & HISTORIC NIGHT IN NYC FOR BUDDY GUY’S 90TH BIRTHDAY CONCERT CELEBRATION AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL EPIC!!! An historical birthday concert celebration for the ages in honor of blues legend Buddy Guy and his 90 years around the sun went down in New […]
Win Joanne Shaw Taylor Vinyl
Blues Matters has teamed up with Journeyman Records to give five readers the chance to win Joanne Shaw Taylor’s new album, The Trouble With Love, on stunning 180g Dusty Rose coloured vinyl. The new studio album is released through Journeyman Records on 23 October 2026 and continues the British guitarist and singer’s evolution as one […]
Bywater Call announce free livestream concert
Bywater Call will broadcast a free livestream concert from Market Hall in Peterborough, Ontario, on Friday 9 October, giving fans around the world a chance to catch the Canadian seven-piece ahead of their return to the UK in early 2027. Presented in association with Volume.com, the show will stream live at 8pm EST, which is […]
Erja Lyytinen – 50th Birthday Live 2026: Review
Tuohi Records Erja Lyytinen turns 50 with her guitar turned up, her slide smoking and the blues-rock dial firmly set to maximum. Recorded at Helsinki’s legendary House of Culture on 21 March 2026, 50th Birthday Live 2026 captures Finland’s “Queen of Slide Guitar” in celebratory, full-flight form. The release arrives as a lavish double CD/DVD […]
Blues Matters Issue 166 out now with Danielle Nicole, Robin Trower, Sari Schorr and more
The October 2026 issue of Blues Matters is out now, with Danielle Nicole on the cover of Issue 166. This month’s edition features in-depth interviews with Danielle Nicole, Robin Trower, Sari Schorr, Ben Poole, Katie Knipp and Singa B, alongside features on Susan Santos, Michael Messer, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Max Hightower and Sloe Train. There is […]
The Whisky Flowers win UK Blues Challenge
The Whisky Flowers have won the 2026 UK Blues Challenge, earning the opportunity to represent the UK at both the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and the European Blues Challenge in Portugal. The competition took place on Saturday 26 September in front of a sold-out audience, with five acts competing for the title: Bison Hip, […]
Beth Hart announces September 2027 UK tour
Beth Hart will return to the UK in September 2027 for four major concerts, including her first Royal Albert Hall performance in almost a decade. The Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter will play Manchester, York, Glasgow and London during the short run, beginning at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on 21 September and ending at the Royal Albert Hall on […]
Richard Thompson – live review
Saint George’s Church Hall, Beckenham: August 21st, 2026 What to say about this guy, Richard Thompson. In a career spanning six decades, he’s continued to surprise and stun in equal measure, with skilful song-writing and simply superb guitar picking that always excites and commands attention and admiration. With a new album, ‘Hippies, Thugs & Heroes’ […]