THURSDAY
9pm – 12.30am
LIVE BAND/JAM NIGHT - A fantastic opening to the Festival with an opportunity for any musicians/singers who want to join with the resident House-band (Alan Hopkins, Al Dean & Andy Bibby), or just do their own thing on the equipment provided. A good time is guaranteed for all, so come down and join in the fun.
FRIDAY
9pm -11pm
THE START - a five piece mod, pop, punk band with a little bit of rock. Playing songs from The Jam, Stereophonics, The Enemy, The Clash, U2, The Fratellis, Feeder, The Pigeon Detectives, The Cure, The Buzzcocks, Sex pistols. plus many more. A high energy fun band, producing full on foot tapping sets.
SATURDAY
3pm – 5pm
BOBCAT BILLY’S MOONSHINE MISSION - Rockabilly five piece Band playing all classic 50’s hits by Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and the like. Made up mainly from the very experienced musicians of Zoot Serious & the Bellyful of Bop.
6pm – 8pm
RICK LACEY’S BLUES BAND - This year Rick will be joined by some of his good friends from previous collaborations. Every member of the band has a passion for solid, driving, no-compromise blues. Take Luke Shaw, the UK Blues Harmonica Champion two years on the run, add Rick Lacey, one of the (if not The) North West’s finest blues drummers. Complement them with a high-energy rock-solid double bass player in the form of Martin Cox; then for the final piece of the jigsaw, light the blue touch-paper that is the ncendiary guitar delivery of Nic Elsby – stand well back and enjoy the fireworks.
9pm – 11pm
THE HOWIE G REVIEW - Well known local guitar virtuoso Howie G showcases his new outfit performing both original and classic Rock & Blues numbers. This will be a show stopping set, from some great musicians and well worth a visit.
SUNDAY
12pm – 2pm
THE COWBOY OUTFIT - If you like toe-tapping Honky Tonk music, this is the band for you. They formed a couple of years ago from ex-members of The Winchesters, who thrilled the festival-goers of Europe for over a decade, and The Lonesome and Penniless Cowboys, Manchester’s longest running Western Swing band. You’re sure to love The Cowboy Outfit’s sizzling renditions of the best of Hank Williams, Bob Wills and Johnny Cash, with a few surprises thrown in!
3pm – 5pm
THE IDLE HANDS - are an established four piece blues rock band based in Chesterfield since 1989 and acclaimed in 2012 as “Britain’s best unsigned blues-rockers” by Classic Rock Blues Mag. Playing uniquely original material heavily influenced by Hendrix and Zeppelin, they receive consistently high praise for their captivating live shows, superb musicianship and cd’s, putting them in big demand on the circuit and definitely “not to be missed”!
6pm – 8pm
BIG BLUE HOUSE - are no strangers to Nantwich Festival goers. This three piece Rhythm & Blues outfit has been plying it’s trade around the Blues circuit in various guises for the last 10 years or so. Featuring; James Harrison guitar/vocals Al Dean bass/vocals with Paul Turner on the kit. Special guest will be the ‘Man in Black’, notorious local blues harp legend Mr Ade White.
MONDAY
12pm – 2pm
FEEDBACK - Local favourites make a welcome return to the Festival playing classic numbers from the dark ages to the present day, a twelve piece band including two gorgeous ladies, backed by a full brass section and rock band, with a liberal sprinkling of humour. Not to be missed.
Also included during the afternoon at this venue will be a couple of short sets showcasing the undeniable talents of young guitarist James Bell. One to watch !!
3pm – 5pm
BOOGIESNAKES - With its members having experienced thousands of gigs, combining to produce their eclectic blues, jazz, funk and rock influences into one reat sound. 2012 saw the release of their debut EP, Twice A Week; 2013 will bring this and plenty more to the stage.
5pm – 7pm
THE ESCAPE COMMITTEE - Pete Frampton (Guitar/vocals) brings a high quality collection of musicians to this years Festival (10cc / Climax Blues Band / Victor Brox’s Blues Train) Their sound combines West Coast classic soft rock with harder blues based Hendrix/Cream/Cocker favourites. A must see experience from a top notch bunch of guys.
8pm – 10pm (Inside)
PRE-SLEEP MONOLOGUE & DIRTY RAY - P-SM play groove oriented alternative bluesy folk rock in their own special way. The music has been described as a fantastic combination of primal, powerful, sensuous, heavy & fragile. Kicks like an angry mule, and hits you right between the eyes. DIRTY RAY – Bluesman, singer, songwriter, poet. One time lead singer with the Immaculate Fools, charmer of women and animals. He has a peculiarly individual style of treating the acoustic guitar, honed from his years immersing himself in Spain’s traditional music and his love of delta blues. (Think a better dressed Seasick Steve with a passion for Tapas).
10pm – 12pm - (Inside)
JAMMING PARTY - An end of Festival gig, hosted by James Harrison, and members of Big Blue House, featuring a variety of special guests playing various instruments. Come and join us for a funky bit of nonsense at the after show party. A fitting tribute to our hard working host Mr Ben Johnson WTF.
