JOE BONAMASSA – Blackpool Opera House – 10/5/23
Tonight’s gig at Blackpool Opera House is one of only five shows in the UK this year. This magnificent building first opened its doors in 1878 and has a seated capacity of 2,812. These types of venues are few and far between these days, often making way for larger but soulless venues, this venue is […]
Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Shepherds Bush Empire – 23/04/23
It’s an ironic coincidence that Kenny Wayne Shepherd is playing the Shepherd’s Bush Empire as he put on such a commanding performance to make the venue his own in all but name. As an explosive guitarist and skilful songwriter, he has built his own high kingdom of blues rock across nine original studio albums. His […]
WHEN RIVERS MEET at COLCHESTER ARTS CENTRE with ARIELLE 28/04/23
Friday night at a local gig, oh how this pleases me. And to top it off a local band that’s making good! When Rivers Meet are more than just a band, they are becoming a tidal wave. Three time winners of best UK Blues group, as well as other awards that will continue to mount […]
THE COMMONERS and TROY REDFERNVOODOO ROOMS, EDINBURGH 24th APRIL 2023
Double header events do not get much better than this one. Toronto based The Commoners and Troy Redfern with his band; a marriage of Roots, Americana and blues rock all set in the splendid venue the Voodoo Rooms, a class venue, also used a lot by Edinburgh Blues Club affiliated to Blues Matters magazine. The […]
Paul Jones & John Etheridge with Nic France and Pete Whittaker at The Pheasantry
I was thrilled by the very idea of Paul Jones and John Etheridge sharing the stage, the former being first and foremost a blues singer and ditto harmonicist with Manfred Mann and The Blues Band (abridged version), the latter famous for his dexterous guitar work displaying a preference for fusion, jazz and beyond – performing […]
Joanne Shaw Taylor Live in Edinburgh – Review
Now having released three albums since this original show was announced, it just accentuates the problems working musicians have with putting a show on let alone a UK tour. Well, no need to worry, it was Edinburgh’s time to get the full-on JST treatment and what a spectacle it was. Mixing tunes from her most […]
Debbie Bond at the Tuesday Night Music Club – 6th September 2022
The blues came calling at the Tuesday Night Music Club last night, in the shape of Alabama singer, guitar player and songwriter, Debbie Bond. A full house of true blues lovers enjoyed an evening filled with flavours of Bonnie Raitt and Janis Joplin as Debbie blazed through two stunning sets with a sound all her […]
HALLELUJAH BLUES FESTIVAL 2022 – REVIEW
The Steelies (South Durham Social Club)Hartlepool November 11th -13th November 2022 Words and pictures: Colin Campbell This is the second year this wonderful festival has been running and the line-up this year seemed even better than the previous. Organised by the mercurial Thomas Wormald (Tommy) and his committee, this is set in a Social Club […]
TEDESCHI TRUCKS LIVE AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM – LIVE REVIEW
TEDESCHI TRUCKS LIVE AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM Saturday, November 5th The London Palladium, along with The Royal Albert Hall are two of the most iconic venues in the world, not just in England. The Palladium seats around 2,330 people, a perfect size, in my opinion. The history of the building and the stars that have […]
THE DAMN TRUTH/ SCARLET BAND, STEREO, GLASGOW
THE DAMN TRUTH/ SCARLET BAND STEREO, GLASGOW 26th October 2022 IMAGES/WORDS: Colin Campbell Blues music is a huge church that encompasses many disciples of this genre. Tonight saw four of these in action as headliners, the four-piece Canadian powerhouse unit that is The Damn Truth, (Lee- La Baum, lead singer and guitarist, Tom Shemer, guitarist […]
