Blues Trail 2023
Blues Trail 2023
From noon until 7pm on Saturday & Sunday Tenby’s cafes, clubs, bars, & hotels open their doors for two days of FREE music from some of the best Blues & Roots acts on the UK circuit.
Programme subject to change.
Saturday
Ella Guru
De Valence Community Hub
Noon & 1.30pm Saturday
Arleen & Richie Westmacott have played every Festival since its inception in 2006. Veterans of many legendary Pembrokeshire bands the husband and wife duo bring their fine vocals and guitar playing to a range of Blues classics and self-penned numbers too.
The Low Down Dirty Dog Blues Band
Fecci’s
noon & 1.30pm, Saturday
Tenby Blues Festival veterans the Low Down Dirty Dog Blues Band play original songs influenced by a mix of Delta, Mississippi hill-country, early-Chicago, Gospel and Country Blues inspired by the likes of Mississippi Fred Macdowell, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, as well as covers of their personal favourites.
Blending stinging slide guitar with Blues harmonica, foot tapping rhythm and gritty vocals, the Dogs weave storytelling and humour into their set.
From the swamps of Louisiana, to the train yards in Chicago, from Clarkesdale, Mississippi to Cydweli in the Carmarthenshire Delta these guys are the most Bluesiest, Dirtiest Dogs in show!
Christopher Rees
Ronni’z Lounge
12.30pm & 2.00pm Saturday
Passionate singer-songwriter plays Blues with roots in Americana and Country. Exceptional songs celebrating the light and dark sides of this wonderful life.
Omega Two
Fuschia Café
1.00pm & 2.30pm Saturday
Jane Williams sings and plays the ukulele and piano in Omega Two with guitarist Pete Mathison.
Jane also sings with many jazz bands and sang on Van Morrison’s ‘Roll With The Punches’ album.
Pete was guitarist with legendary Jump Blues band Red Beans & Rice. He has also toured and recorded in outfits with Ray Davies (The Kinks) and Paul Weller.
The Hoochie Coochie Band
Ex-Servicemen’s Club
1.00pm & 2.30pm Saturday
A six piece Blues ‘n’ Boogie band.
Dave Thomas
Allium Café
1.30pm & 3.00pm Saturday
Dave Thomas is a Blues veteran, a survivor of the 1960s British Blues boom so if you like John Mayall, Eric Clapton and Peter Green, you’ll love the Blues that Dave delivers. He is coming into his best years yet after a lifetime devoted to the Blues.
Lockdown gave Dave the opportunity to record his first album for five years, showcasing a range of styles honed over fifty years in the front line of recording and live music. ‘One More Mile’ reached Number One in Roots Music Report’s Top 50 UK Album Chart in 2021. His latest album, ‘Road To The Blues’, reached the Number One slot in 2022.
The Chris James Band
Clarence House Hotel
1.30pm & 3.00pm Saturday
We enjoy opening people’s ears to a slightly different approach to Blues, Blues with a New Orleans groove, a second line beat that keeps everyone dancing or their feet tapping at least
This year will be their 16th year at the festival.
Justin Light and the Midnighters
The Giltar Hotel
1.30pm & 3.00pm Saturday
Justin Light has been in many bands over the years and has had the chance to record and perform in some fantastic places including Abbey Road, Reading Festival and Ronnie Scott’s. Blues returned to the fore during lockdown when he conceived, wrote, performed, recorded, produced and released his first solo album.
In 2021 Justin played Landed Festival in Mid-Wales and joined The Daybreakers onstage at the De Valence at Tenby Blues as well as performing two sets of his own material to a packed-out room at The Crown.
In 2022 Justin wrote new material, found bandmates Woodie (bass) and Marcello (drums) on the London jam scene, formed The Midnighters, played a couple of festivals, secured a residency with The Guitar Social, played several times at Ain’t Nothing But… in Soho, began work on an album, and returned to Tenby Blues Festival to play two packed out venues, Fuschia Cafe and The Three Mariners.
Justin’s song writing employs traditional blues structures, catchy hooks, sassy lyrics and is accompanied by a stinging guitar tone, groovy bass lines and incendiary drums all of which are stretched out in the live setting through some intense improvisation.
The Chris Keys Band
Five Arches Tavern
1.30pm & 3.00pm Saturday
Chris Keys returns to Tenby Blues with his soul infused vocals and Memphis influenced piano. Backed by a group of fine Welsh musicians including renowned guitarist Luke Evans, expect a mix of soulful originals and rocking blues covers.
The Oyster Boys
The Bowling Club
2.00pm & 3.30pm Saturday
Delving into the Blues back catalogue, the Oyster Boys’ set features songs from Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Otis Rush and Jimmy Reed all the way up to Robert Cray and Seasick Steve. The band are looking forward to bringing their brand of acoustic up-tempo Blues to Tenby Blues Festival.
Hideaway Trio
Imperial Hotel
2.00pm & 3.30pm Saturday
Hideaway Trio are a power trio who blend Blues, Rock and Soul/ Funk into a sound of their own. Formed in 2008 by lead guitarist and singer Gareth Price, it’s his love for the Blues that drives this much-admired power trio.
The band’s influences range from BB King and Jimi Hendrix to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Ray Charles. Hideaway Trio’s live shows are joyous occasions which showcase their exemplary musicianship. Material ranges from originals to classic Blues covers
Old Strafford
Qube Restaurant
2.30pm & 4.00pm Saturday
1930s Blues, Gospel, Jug Band, Swing, and Americana. Plenty to enjoy and even sing along with.
Jodie Marie
Cadwaladers
2.30pm & 4.00pm Saturday
Jodie is an amazing singer/songwriter with her roots in Blues, Soul, Folk and much more. Her recent EP, Polar Night, recorded after she spent several weeks on an island in the Arctic Circle, is a passionate and uplifting work.
Bluebox
Dennis’ Cafe
3.00pm & 4.30pm Saturday
Bluebox is George Whitfield on accordion and vocals with Nick Swannell on guitar and vocals. The duo play mostly original songs laced with the Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco influences of George and the classic Blues Rock of Nick.
George’s accordions are powerful Italian made Beltrami Custom boxes which allow deep rhythmic basses and a Hammond-like right hand. Nick has great feel, producing solos which are always inventively improvised making every performance unique. George plays with many other artists and across various genres as does Nick who also runs Studio 49, a recording and film studio in Narberth.
Jack the Biscuit
Tap and Tan
3.00pm & 4.30pm Saturday
An up-tempo blues band formed from the members of such bands as The Blues Sisters, The Rascals, T.S.Blues and others.
Colin Broadbent – vocals and harmonica; Jamie Wilkins – guitar and backing vocals; Gethin Rees – bass and backing vocals; Paul Trew – drums and definitely no vocals
They play the likes of Hound Dog Taylor, Elmore James, The Kingsmen, Fleetwood Mac, Canned Heat, Hop Wilson, Little Walter, and much more, in Jack the Biscuit’s own inimitable style.
Mike Parker and James Davies
Bar 10
3.30pm & 5.00pm Saturday
Roots, Blues, Folk & Americana come together skilfully in the repertoire of singer/songwriter Mike Parker. Strong musicianship, meticulous yet free guitar picking, and a love of steel guitars combine with Mike’s distinctive technique to present a truly original delivery of classics alongside originals.
Mike has been performing for over 25 years throughout the UK at festivals, clubs and concert venues. He has had the pleasure of touring with American Blues virtuoso Joe Bonamassa on several of his UK tours as well as performing alongside Robin Trower, Walter Trout, Leslie West and an array of Rock and Blues artists both solo and with his band. Joining Mike is James Davies on harmonica and vocals.
www.facebook.com/mikeparkermusic.
The Mean Mistreaters
The Three Mariners
4.00pm & 5.30pm Saturday
The Mean Mistreaters have been playing Blues for over 20 years, from West Coast Swing to steady rolling Chicago Blues with all sorts in between. The band has the pick of local Blues talent including Big Steve Young , the inimitable Nino Consolo, Steady Rollin himself Bruce Campbell, Las Vegas Slim aka Sam May, Big Mo and special guests Mark “Tiny” Phillips and the delightful Little Miss Dynamite, Elaina Hoss.
Jimmy Mac’s Band
The Cove
4.00pm & 5.15pm, Saturday
A different twist on some well known songs.
The two Rogers providing a solid back line with added vocals. Steve on guitar, Vince main vocals and guitar. Backed up by Stuart on sax and Christian on harp.
Blue Evolution
The Sailing Club
9.00pm Saturday
Blue Evolution is a five piece Blues-Rock band that packs an impressive punch. They play originals and covers, and always ensure crowd participation during their shows.
The band is made up of lead singer and lead guitarist Chris Davey, bass guitarist Dai Mac, rhythm guitarist Big Al, keyboard player Nat Ollis, and drummer, Gary Phillips. They play original and cover music and always ensure audience participation during their shows.
If you have any questions please get in touch: