Starlite & Campbell
2023-10-01 19:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London) | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
Award winners Starlite & Campbell are set to release their fresh new studio album ‘Starlite.One’ in October 2023 supported by an electrifying 16-day UK tour.
Following on from their two award-winning Live! albums, Starlite.One is the exciting new art-rock album from husband and wife powerhouse Suzy Starlite and Simon Campbell. Starlite.One overflows with melody and double harmonies, vibrant guitars, deep bass grooves, explosive drums and analogue synthesised soundscapes that melt your heart at the edges. Multi-instrumentalists Starlite & Campbell are curious souls, constantly exploring new sounds, ideas and thoughts. For this new project, they are joined by jazz-rock fusion drummer, Hugo Danin – one of the finest drummers in Europe.
“Starlite & Campbell are a stunning live band who have the most amazing energy both on and off stage!” Nina Jackson, Venue Manager – Half Moon, Putney. London ★★★★★
With extensive international radio play including BBC Radio 2, charting top 10 in the UK, Australia, The Netherlands and the United States plus receiving over 100 four and five-star reviews worldwide, the band have toured all over the globe headlining festivals in Australia, UK and Europe. Starlite & Campbell will be lighting up the sky on tour in the UK from 29th September to October 14th, 2023 – we advise buying your tickets early.
To buy tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mwrbc/mwr-bc-presents-starlite-campbell-live-at-the-muse-in-brecon/e-qpqmgo
Website for tour dates: https://starlite-campbell.com/gigs

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@starlitecampbell

The James Oliver Band & BB Skone
2023-10-14 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
One of the hardest working acts in the business, the James Oliver Band never fails to delight audiences – delivering blistering good-time rock & blues music, with more than a hint of vintage retro twang. We can look forward to classic guitar-driven numbers by the likes of the Ventures, the Pirates, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash and Lazy Lester, plus a bunch of great self-penned songs.
Before the show, James will be joined by BB Skone for a quick and amusing chat about life, music and everything. BB Skone has been writing and broadcasting about music in West Wales for over 30 years. He currently presents a local music show and a Country show on www.purewestradio.com and his musical musings can be found at https://bbskone.wordpress.com. He is currently Artistic Director at Tenby Blues Festival www.tenbyblues.co.uk.

For tickets, please go to: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mwrbc/t-zzxqzqm

https://www.jamesoliverband.co.uk

Big Joe Bone with special guests Candy Mountain and Mr D
2023-10-21 21:00 - 23:30 | Brecon Tap, 6 Bulwark, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7LB, United Kingdom
MWR&BC in association with MRS MOUNTAIN presents…
the return of Big Joe Bone with special guests Candy Mountain ft. Mr D to The Brecon Tap.
Admission: free
https://www.bigjoebone.com/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063565271669
https://www.brecontap.foodndrink.uk/

Nookee
2023-11-18 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
The Muse at Brecon in association with the MWR&BC presents Nookee.
Fronted by identical twin sisters and supported by a formidable rhythm section, Nookee offer tastefully served musical flavours for you to stir together as you please.
Combined to make one big soup of sound, they bring a mouth watering experience to any person, from any walk of life.
Driven by blood matched harmony woven into sunny-side up rhythm and blues, these twins pour their soul into the genre-busting sound of their rhythm section. Varnished with funky aesthetics, this outfit will quench the thirst of both eyes and ears.
—
No stranger to the streets of Brecon, Joe Kelly hails from Newport but has spent a significant amount of time on the road, living life as an itinerant songwriter.
Whilst holed up in an old police station during the pandemic, Joe began fleshing out years of self-penned material with the help of the Royal Pharmacy, a crew of the finest musicians around. Their first album, the Americana leaning ‘World On Fire’ is available to stream now, with the second, ‘Cast Me Down’ set for release early next year.
Either solo or full band, Joe Kelly brings together folk, rock and soul influences with a country twang and a whole lotta grit.
—
Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/brecon/the-muse-brecon/nookee-plus-support/2023-11-18/19:30/t-vvpxxde
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NookeeBand
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCln0uESdyXrNLb4GPcGswrA

The Achievers (acoustic set) with Greg Brice
2023-12-08 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
THE ACHIEVERS:
Over the past decade The Achievers have garnered an international reputation for being one of the very finest, most accomplished and original live bands performing Blues, Americana and Roots music in Europe. Their shows, headlining clubs and festivals around the world, are life-affirming demonstrations of the power of live music – creating intimate concert atmospheres brimming with laughter, positivity and rich musicality. Their infectious rhythms, joyful melodies and jaw-dropping vocal harmonies have gained them much critical acclaim, multiple UK Blues Award nominations and saw them win the highly prodigious UK Blues Challenge in 2019. They reached the semi-final of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee in January 2020 and the finals of the European Blues Challenge in Malmo, Sweden in 2022. To celebrate 10-years of touring and their friendship as a genuine band, they are undertaking a series of intimate acoustic concerts in England and Wales. The Achievers stand proudly as British Blues & Roots outliers, never quite fitting into one box or another – but always offering a truly unique, and highly entertaining night of original roots music.
GREG BRICE:
Back when Greg Brice played the pubs, clubs and bars of the West Midlands he’d often find some of the toughest audiences you could imagine hanging on his every word within a few bars. His intricate fingerstyle guitar and strident electric slide connected in the raw and immediate way that only proper roots music can. And that voice – clear as a bell, powerful and pure. Now, in the hush of the UKs Blues and Americana clubs it’s the quality of his song writing that’s capturing people’s imagination. Within just days of launching his debut album crowd funding campaign, those lucky enough to have already discovered him came out in force. They knew something that the rest of the UK Blues scene will soon realise – that Greg Brice is a proper talent.
https://www.theachieversuk.com/
https://www.gregbricemusic.co.uk/

Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse
2024-02-03 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
SOLD OUT !!
We are beyond pleased to announce that Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse will be returning to The Muse in Brecon.
The night before this gig, the are playing in Blackburn guesting for Clearwater Creedence Revival, and the night after they are back in Blackpool playing at the Winter Gardens Festival with the likes of Elles Bailey / Brave Rival & The Cinelli Brothers – that’s how much they love coming to Brecon and playing for us here at the MWR&BC.
Special guest act tbc
https://www.beauxgrisgris.com/

Dave Arcari
2024-02-11 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
Slide guitarist & songwriter Dave Arcari‘s alt.blues sounds owe as much to trash country, punk and rockabilly as they do pre-war Delta blues and have been showcased via seven internationally acclaimed solo album releases on labels including Buzz, Dixie-frog and Blue North. After a successful Kickstarter campaign his latest album Devil May Care is set for release on red vinyl in November 2023.

A top three finalist in UK Blues Federation’s UK Blues Awards 2023. Arcari’s music features in numerous BBC TV programmes as well as popular USA series The Deadliest Catch.
While continuing to build his audience in the USA with once or twice-annual tours since 2013 – including official showcases at SxSW in Austin, Texas – Arcari maintains his presence on the UK and European touring and festival circuits with regular live shows throughout the year.
The ultimate validation for Arcari’s music and performance came in 2019 when National Reso-Phonic Guitars launched the ‘Dave Arcari signature model’ guitar. Arcari joins an elite and exclusive group of players who have signature models and is the first – and only – musician outside the USA to be honoured by the iconic instrument maker whose name is synonymous with the development of the blues genre.
https://www.davearcari.com
https://www.reverbnation.com/davearcari/songs
https://davearcari.bandcamp.com/track/younger-days

A Ticketsource link will be available here soon.
Meantime, to reserve tickets, please contact Angus Kings (details below).

The Washboard Resonators
2024-03-03 19:00 - 22:30 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
The Muse together with the Mid Wales Rhythm and Blues Club are very pleased to announce the return of The Washboard Resonators…
Always a great night, these friends of the venue have gathered huge support from audiences in Brecon since their first appearance with the Folk and More Club, and are not to be missed!
Consummate performers, you’ll be sure of a great night out, with their hand crafted foot-stomping blues, ragtime, swing and folk music.
The Washboard Resonators hail from Leeds in England and can be described as sounding and looking like ‘a ragtime street band meets a Hollywood musical on a theatre stage somewhere in around 1932’

Nookee plus Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy
2024-03-24 19:00 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
The Muse in association with the MWR&BC presents
Nookee plus Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy
The very welcome return of a couple of acts who absolutely blew us away last time they played here – see the review here.

Contact Angus Kings (details below) to reserve tickets.

Mike Ross Band plus Mike Parker Duo
2024-04-20 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
We are very excited to announce that The Mike Ross Band will be coming to The Muse at Brecon for the MWR&BC.
Mike’s really looking forward to bringing the full band back to Brecon, off the back of his national tour in March with legendary South West southern rockers Sons Of Liberty!
This will be probably the last Welsh headline show from the MRB as he’ll be retiring the band from touring at the end of 2024, so make sure you bag your tickets early to avoid missing out!

https://www.mikerossmusic.co.uk/
Featuring also the Mike Parker Duo

Roots blues, folk & Americana come together skillfully in the repertoire of singer/songwriter Mike Parker. So, if you’re a fan of strong musicianship, meticulous yet free guitar picking and have a love of steel guitars then you will not be disappointed! Joining Mike will be James Davies on harp & vocals and they’re looking forward to opening for Mike Ross again, this time round with his full band.
www.facebook.com/mikeparkermusic
Ticket are available here:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mwrbc/live-music-at-the-muse-in-brecon-with-the-mike-ross-band-for-the-mwr-bc/e-gbmvmz

Mid Wales Rhythm & Blues Club - 10th Anniversary Celebration
2024-05-19 14:00 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
We’ve been going strong for ten years! Come and celebrate our anniversary, with:

Snatch it Back
Nothing in Rambling
Low Down Dirty Dog Blues Band
Trevor Babajack Steger
Big Joe Bone & Sicknote Steve

—–
The Mid Wales Rhythm and Blues Club was established by Chris and Catherine Rogers as a result of booking original blues bands and artists into pubs in Mid Wales.
Getting frustrated by audiences not fully appreciating the music, the club began booking artists into the Ridgebourne Inn, Llandrindod Wells. The first artist booked was Big Joe Bone in January 2014, closely followed by Sicknote Steve and Darren Eedens.
The club then moved to its second home at Carad in Rhayader. Events were held monthly for approximately 2 years where appreciative audiences enjoyed national and international artists such as Doug Macleod, Veronica and Max, Debbie Bond, Babajack, Luke Docherty Band and Andy Twyman.
In 2016, the club moved to its permanent home at The Muse in Brecon. It was here that the heart and family of the Mid Wales Rhythm and Blues Club was formed with Angus Kings (publicity), Ian Keddle and Jonathan Morris (sound) and Ruth Gibbs (Muse proprietor). The first international artists to play were Swamp Candy, Matthew Fox and Beki Brindle.
Since being at The Muse the club showcased artists such as Manitoba Hal (Canada), Ariel Polson (USA), Kaz Hawkins (Ireland), Dom Martin (Ireland, his first UK performance), Greg Koch (USA) and Josh Smith (USA). All headline acts were ably supported by local blues/roots artists. We are very proud that we were able to bring such prestigious performers to Mid Wales.
Chris, Catherine, and their team ran the club up until 2020 when the Covid outbreak closed venues all over the UK. It was during this time that Chris and Catherine made the decision to move to Spain. They left the club in the capable hands of Angus Kings at the helm, Paul Keddle (host), Ian Keddle (sound), Phil Sheridan (posters/design), Barry Hill (inhouse photographer), Jim Kerslake (website/reviewer) and Robin Skinner (front of house).
When venues were permitted to reopen the club came back to life with Halfdeaf Clatch, Beaux Gris Gris, Dom Martin, The Achievers and Ian Siegal. The club has continued to go from strength to strength with artists such as Gwyn Ashton, Otway and Barratt, Starlight and Campbell, Trevor ‘Babajack’ Steger and Dave Arcari.
On Sunday May 19th, 2024 at The Muse in Brecon we are all looking forward to coming together to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the club. It is our aim, as always, to present the best national / international blues and roots artists to our audiences. We are all very proud of the fact that many of the international artists who have played for the club as their only date in Wales as part of a national tour. Angus Kings will be 60 years young on May 22nd a few days later so will be celebrating his 60th birthday on the same evening.

Tickets are £25 and can be reserved from Angus Kings (details below) – very limited availability.

Southern Fried Groove Queens plus Aled Clifford
2024-06-09 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
Fresh from the fryer of the UK’s Deep South, Southern Fried Groove Queens are a Mississippi Hill Country/Delta inspired duo, featuring Lee Hall on Guitar/Vocals & renowned Blues drummer Lucy Piper, daughter of the late Blues musician, Julian Piper ‘one of the UK’s foremost champions of African-American blues’ – The Guardian.
“Cooked to perfection using a traditional recipe passed down through generations, we provide that heavy heart thumping kick and grooves that will make you want to move.”
The duo play their take on the likes of old blues masters: RL Burnside, John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson and many more. Formed in 2021, they have already played at many of the UK’s leading Blues and Jazz festivals, including performing on the main stage at Tenby’s Blues Festival in 2023, taking audiences by storm.
With Lee’s unique haunting vocals, energetic slide playing, and Lucy’s infectious hypnotic drumming, they’re not to be missed. Be prepared to get down and ‘juke’ with them!
https://sfgq.co.uk
Tickets available here:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/brecon/the-muse-brecon/the-mwr-bc-presents-southern-fried-groove-queens-with-special-guest-act-aled-clifford/e-eqzovg

Jo Carley And The Old Dry Skulls
2024-07-06 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
Blues, Skiffle, Calypso and Rockabilly with a creepy vaudeville twist – this is music that makes people wanna shake their bones!
Jo Carley And The Old Dry Skulls are known for their unique live show, transporting the audience to a bygone era when witches and black magic were rife. Their songs tell stories of deals with the devil, demons in love, witchdoctors, zombies, ghosts, ghouls, journeys to the deepest jungles and other exotic adventures which are told using sweet melodies and syncopated sounds.
The music takes influence from early vaudeville blues acts such as Victoria Spivey via Cab Calloway, Wilmoth Houdini and Wanda Jackson, but adding a creepy and theatrical twist that echoes Dr John and Screamin Jay Hawkins.
Jo Carley, Tim Carley, and James LeHuray, are the talented artists behind The Old Dry Skulls, who bring a wealth of experience to their collective craft. Jo Carley is the wild and dark music-hall mistress sent to captivate and enthrall the audience with her Vaudevillian singing and lyrical style. Backed by her song-writing partner and husband the Zombie-like Tim Carley, who churns out blues-tinged rhythms on an old archtop guitar, kick drum and rattlin’ shoe, with fellow fiend James Le Huray providing the final ingredients of the spell, in the shape of a double bass.

“With great lyrics and the combination of haunting ragtime blues they create a stupendously enjoyable jaunt into the darker recesses of voodoo, … It’s superb fun and a real pleasure to just indulge in its lyrics and music…” – Lee Powell / Vive Le Rock 2021
“There are dark warnings, powerful accusations, gritty observations and singular attitude… this is a musical heist that robs you of ordinary and replaces it with exceptional” – Folkwords (UK)
…a macabre fairytale, …Naughty creepy and full of sarcasm, “So let’s shake those bones together”!” Luminous Dash (Belgium)
www.olddryskulls.com
www.youtube.com/user/theolddryskulls
To book tickets contact Angus Kings (details below) or check back here later for an online ticket link.

Gwyn Ashton
2024-08-25 | Brecon Tap, 6 Bulwark, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7LB, United Kingdom
Gwyn Ashton’s return to the Brecon Tap
Gwyn returns to The Brecon Tap after a very successful event there on the Friday of last year’s Brecon Jazz and Fringe Festival.
He has toured with many legendary acts including The Yardbirds, Johnny Winter, Peter Green, Slade, The Sweet, Canned Heat, Magnum, The Troggs and headlining his own shows. He has also played dates in England with Van Morrison, Robin Trower, Jeff Healey, Tony Joe White, Walter Trout and 15 arena shows, including Wembley, with Status Quo.
Gwyn plays live at The Great British R&B Festival on Friday 23rd Aug and is then with us in Brecon on the Sunday 25th.
Time and more details to be confirmed – check back here soon.
www.gwynashton.com

Son Henry (New York, USA) - plus Paul Keddle & Steve Shipman
2024-09-10 19:00 - 22:00 | Two Dogs Coffee Shop, 104, The Struet, Brecon, LD3 7LT, United Kingdom
“A Son Henry gig is a taste of Texas, a little bit of Alaska. Solo, he plays a with an acute feel for the rhythms and anger of the delta, in turns subtle and ferocious, hollering and stomping in time with the eerie call of the bottleneck, on the strings of his beat-up ’32 National. How does this translate to a three-piece electric band? It’s a totally different, yet still completely authentic vibe: Roadhouse USA, coming to a town near you.” — Blues Matters! Magazine
https://sonhenry.com/

Arthur Buezo (Oregon, USA), plus Becky "The Bullet" Thomas
2024-09-15 19:00 - 22:30 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
Arthur Buezo was direct support for Cam Cole on his US tour and is known for his own brand of savage folk deeply rooted in the primitive sounds of early Appalachian mountain music driven by banjo, guitar and intricate foot drum patterns.
Where Arthur Buezo is from and has developed can’t be pin-pointed, as he has travelled for all of his life. Throughout these travels, music has been the main constant for him. Arthur Buezo has been a professional musician since 2010 and now is a One-Man-Band performer bringing the self titled genre, Savage Folk. While keeping original music alive and well, sooner or later he will come to a venue near you.
https://arthurbuezo.com/Home
https://www.facebook.com/Arthurbuezosmusic
Special guest support: Becky “The Bullet” Thomas
Tickets: £15 available from:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mwrbc/mwr-bc-presents-arthur-buezo-oregon-usa-live-at-the-muse-in-brecon/e-qlrvly

Max & Veronica
2024-09-28 19:30 - 23:00 | Brecon Tap, 6 Bulwark, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7LB, United Kingdom
Veronica Sbergia & Max De Bernardi passionately play country blues and ragtime, hokum, jug band and rural music from the 20’s and 30’s. An irresistible blend of blues, ragtime, vaudeville music and hillbilly music, played using strictly acoustic instruments such ukuleles, washboard, kazoo, double bass and guitars. They love entertaining the audience and keeping this precious musical heritage alive, faithfully reproducing its original sound whilst playing it with a modern twist. With The Red Wine Serenaders they won the European Blues Challenge, held in Toulouse (FR) in 2013 and were selected in January 2015 representing Italy for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis (TN). They continue to play and record their music, traveling and touring everywhere the music will lead them.
https://maxandveronica.com/
https://www.facebook.com/maxandveronica
Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mwrbc/mid-wales-r-b-club-presents-the-return-of-max-veronica-italy-to-the-muse-in-brecon/e-eqvqbz

The MWR&BC Presents: THE SOUTHERN FRIED GROOVE QUEENS (UK) Live at THE BRECON TAP
2024-10-20 08:00 - 23:00 | Brecon Tap, 6 Bulwark, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7LB, United Kingdom
Fresh from the fryer of the UK’s Deep South, Southern Fried Groove Queens are a Mississippi Hill Country/Delta inspired duo, featuring Lee Hall on Guitar/Vocals & renowned Blues drummer Lucy Piper, daughter of the late Blues musician, Julian Piper ‘one of the UK’s foremost champions of African-American blues’ – The Guardian.
Cooked to perfection using a traditional recipe passed down through generations, they provide that heavy heart thumping kick and grooves that will make you want to move.
The duo play their take on the likes of old blues masters: RL Burnside, John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson and many more. Formed in 2021, they have already played at many of the UK’s leading Blues and Jazz festivals, taking audiences by storm. In 2023, the band played at Ørland Blues Festival in Norway, where Blues-news described their performance as “a fantastic concert that left many jaws dropping.” Another recent review in June 2024 by Mid Wales RnB Club described the band; “Lucy and Lee play together brilliantly, with amazing and irrepressible energy, displaying an uncanny ability to follow one another’s moves. They manage to take some of the absolute all-time blues standards, and reinterpret them in their own up-tempo style, whilst never compromising the authenticity of the originals.”
With Lee’s unique haunting vocals, energetic slide playing, and Lucy’s infectious hypnotic drumming, they’re not to be missed. Be prepared to get down and ‘juke’ with them!
www.sfgw.couk
For more info on The Southern Fried Grove Queens of the MWR&BC please go to:
Angus Kings 0786 6000 596
Blues related.
www.midwalesrandb.club
angus@midwalesrandb.club
https://www.facebook.com/midwalesrhythmandblues
https://www.instagram.com/themidwalesrandb/
The Brecon Tap:
https://www.brecontap.foodndrink.uk/

The MWR&BC Presents: JACK J HUTCHINSON BAND (UK) plus ARTHUR BUEZO (USA) & MICHAEL PARKER (UK)
2024-10-27 19:00 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
Fresh off the success of his chart-topping album ‘Battles,’ London based blues rock guitarist Jack J Hutchinson announces the 18-date ‘Battles UK Tour’.
Kicking off on 23 March at Rockin The Blues, the tour takes in shows across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, concluding at the Whitby Rocks Festival on 8 October later this year. ‘Battles,’ released in February, received widespread acclaim from both fans and critics, securing the #16 spot in the Official Independent charts—an impressive feat for an independent artist without label backing.
Rock Today hailed the album as “One of the strongest and most significant releases of the year.”, whilst Planet Rock described it as “Gritty riffs and blazing solos”. The album features the Planet Rock playlisted tracks ‘Bullets’ and ‘Constellations’, the latter also being named in Classic Rock Magazine’s Tracks of the Week.
Excited to bring his music to life on stage, Hutchinson shares, “Every track on the new album was crafted with live performance in mind. After nearly a year in the studio, it’s time to hit the road and share these songs across the UK and Europe over the next 6 months.”
Hutchinson will be joined on the run by his band, featuring Phil Wilson on drums and Charlie Rachael Kay on bass.
https://jackjhutchinsonmusic.com/ https://jackjhutchinsonmusic.com/2024/03/18/battles-uk-tour-dates/
Also – special guests for the evening:
Michael Parker and
Arthur Buezo
Tickets available here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mwrbc/jack-hutchinson-band-live-at-the-muse-in-brecon-0ct-2024/e-rrevbv
Contact Angus Kings (below) for further details.
Lots of other ways to stay in touch
https://www.facebook.com/midwalesrhythmandblues
https://www.instagram.com/themidwalesrandb/

The MWR&BC Presents: ERIN HARPE COUNTRY BLUES DUO Featuring JIM COUNTRY MAN (USA) Live at THE BRECON TAP with special guests JOE KELLY & THE ROYAL PHARMACY (Trio) (WALES)
2024-11-10 08:00 - 23:00 | Powys
Erin Harpe has been playing country blues since she was a little girl, getting her chops from her virtuoso dad, roots/blues musician & Stella guitar expert Neil Harpe. The two-time “Blues Artist of the Year”, and leader of the band Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers, has earned a reputation as a captivating performer, playing stages large and small throughout the US, UK and Europe, and opening for everyone from ZZTop to Honeyboy Edwards, Buddy Guy and James Cotton. In Living Blues Magazine, Frank Matheis called Erin “one of the most dynamic, talented and exciting roots rocking blues women on the scene”, noting, “she has it all – a golden voice and guitar chops that dazzle!” Her latest album – “Meet Me In The Middle” (self-produced by Harpe, along with her husband, bassist Jim Countryman) – won the prestigious “Album of the Year” from the New England Music Awards. Erin’s high-energy performances center around her exceptional finger-style and boogie blues guitar playing as well as her striking soulful vocals. The sound she creates with her band harkens back to the time of juke joints – updated with more modern influences like funk, soul, rock, and reggae. Her music has drawn comparisons to Muddy Waters, Bonnie Raitt, Canned Heat and Maria Muldour.
For more info on Erin go to:
https://www.erinharpe.com/
https://www.erinharpe.com/presskit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Harpe_%26_the_Delta_Swingers
Special Guest Act
Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy (Trio)
It’s easy to consign the idea of the itinerant blues singer to myth (Robert Johnson) or caricature (Seasick Steve) and for quite some time, Joe Kelly was as close as you could get to the real thing.
After spending years living out of various cars, vans and caravans, touring the UK, Australia and New Zealand with just a broken-necked guitar and a battered case of harmonicas, Joe Kelly found shelter in an old Victorian police station just in time to ride out the storm that was the covid-19 pandemic.
It was in this time that Joe Kelly was able to focus on consolidating the vast wealth of songs written in transit into an album that could encapsulate the spirit of those years on the road.
Backed by the Royal Pharmacy with Jon Greening on production duties, debut LP ‘World On Fire’ sees the dustbowl-dry skeletons of Joe Kelly’s haunted blues and country songs fleshed out with a widescreen Americana sound ranging from lush to eerie.
Reworked from ‘The Album That Never Was’, Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy’s first full offering is an amalgamation of earlier tracks cut live in the studio with minimal overdubs using vintage production methods and newer tracks recorded remotely in lockdown creating a more contemporary sound reminiscent of the likes of The War On Drugs.
With the help of Dirty Carrot Records, the album is now available on all streaming sites with physical copies available at shows, in local record stores and via the band’s Bandcamp page.
https://www.joekellyofficial.com/
For more details on all of the above & The Mid Wales R&B Club follow the links below—
Angus Kings 0786 6000 596
Blues related.
www.midwalesrandb.club
angus@midwalesrandb.club
https://www.facebook.com/midwalesrhythmandblues
https://www.instagram.com/themidwalesrandb/

The Brecon Tap:
https://www.brecontap.foodndrink.uk/

The MWR&BC Presents: THE TERRAPLANES BLUES BAND with SGA ALED CLIFFORD (HFS) Live at The Muse in Brecon --
2024-11-17 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
“These Boys Are Phenomenal, A Joy To Watch!”- Colin Campbell, Blues Matters Magazine” The Terraplanes Are A Band At The Very Heart Of The British Blues Scene!”- Pete Clack, Blues In Britain Magazine
Nick Scrase – Guitar/Vocals Eduardo Allen – Harmonica Andy Hutt – Drums Craig Shaw – Bass The Terraplanes Blues Band having been awarded the highly prestigious” EMERGING BLUES ACT OF THE YEAR” at the UK Blues Awards 2023, have been busy playing around the country at some of the best blues clubs and festivals, cementing their reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting blues acts. Hailing from Bristol UK, with a sound echoing the 1960′ s British R’n’B bands, The Terraplanes have been a breath of fresh air since the release of their debut E.P Midnight Train in 2020. With the commercial success and critical acclaim of their first full album Stepping Stones in 2022 plus some blistering live festival performances have seen them gain a league of followers around the world. The chemistry between the two founding members is the driving force of the band. Nick Scrase’s authentic guitar/vocal tones Eduardo Allen’s hi energy harmonica skills and stage performance make for an electric live show. The band are ably supported by Andy Hutt (drums) and Craig Shaw (bass).
Special Guest Act ALED CLIFFORD from HENRY’S FUNERAL SHOE
Mix of original material & songs from Tom Waits to Duane Allman
https://www.theterraplanesbluesband.com/
https://www.instagram.com/theterraplanes/
https://www.henrysfuneralshoe.com/
aledclifford@me.com
Angus Kings 0786 6000 596
.
www.midwalesrandb.club
angus@midwalesrandb.club
https://www.facebook.com/midwalesrhythmandblues
https://www.instagram.com/themidwalesrandb/

MWR&BC Presents Our XMAS GATHERING (10th year of the club) with live music from NOOKEE
2024-12-08 19:00 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
DEC 8TH XMAS GATHERING (Fast approaching 11 years old in Jan)
The return of NOOKEE for the 3rd time each time delivering a different set of mostly original material)
NOOKEE; A Welsh born soup of soulful story driven experimentation, fusion of funky world groove, tribal percussion and ethereal harmony. More a family bond than a band, NOOKEE’s iconic fronting identical twin sisters weave blood-matched harmonies through genre-defying sounds from their newfound Celtic brothers. Unrestrained by any method, this group’s curated live show has been likened to that of Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd and Earth, Wind & Fire. Bringing to the stage more than just sound, this 7 piece band takes advantage of all performative elements including outfits, props, narrative and theatrics. Nookee’s set sonically ebbs and flows through a spectrum of emotions showcasing powerhouse vocal art, hypnotic grooves from Samba to Disco and from the blues to the punchy noise of psychedelic rock.
SGA TBC
https://www.nookeeband.com/
http://midwalesrandb.club/

MWR&BC & Brecon Folk Club Presents STEVE FERBRACHE (Solo) with special guest act HERMIONE WILD.
2025-02-02 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
The Mid Wales R&B Club & The Brecon Folk Club jointly presents an evening of Folks/Roots/Acoustic Country Blues.
STEVE FERBRACHE:
Saved from a route to ruin in his teens by the folk clubs of North Wales and later taken around the world by his award winning Americana/Roots band The Achievers, Steve Ferbrache has some stories to tell. His new solo project charts a life come good – from serious mental illness to a recovered family man seeking to share and inspire through his music.
Poetically articulate song-writing and highly-accomplished, unobtrusive finger-style guitar are just two aspects of his engaging and inspiring concerts. Drawing influences from both traditional British folk music and American roots & old-time styles his songs are driven by message and melody – often disarmingly open, encouraging close connection between artist and audience. Known internationally for his master stage-craft, story telling and relaxed, convivial live performances, Steve Ferbrache is committed to leaving audiences better than he found them – even after they’ve explored some of the toughest aspects of life together.
Quotes:”
An incredible songwriter, and one hell of a voice!” – Seasick Steve”
Definitely a class above – his easy charm and twinkling humour would win over the most battle weary” – Music Riot”
A very fine guitar picker, reminds me of early Paul Simon” – Wizz Jones
Website:
www.steveferbrache.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/steve.ferbrache.98
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/steveferbrachesolo/
& Special Guest Act
HERMIONE WILD:
Hello! I’m Hermione Wild. There isn’t a blanket term for what I do so I’ll do my best to summarise – I’m a creative/spiritual handy woman – I do a little bit of lots of things. Musician, reiki practitioner, tarot reader, artist, writer and in the early stages of bringing a community of like minded people together in the pursuit of authentic happiness.
https://hermionewild.co.uk/
http://midwalesrandb.club/

MWR&BC Presents Top UK and Estonian blues artists Dave Arcari & Andres Roots play double-header at The Muse Brecon
2025-03-01 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
SCOTLAND’S Dave Arcari teams up with his Estonian pal Andres Roots for an exclusive double-header show for Mid-Wales Rhythm & Blues Club at The Muse, Brecon on Saturday 1 March 2025.
The pair have been pals since 2005 when Roots invited Arcari to Estonia to headline the August ibluus Festival – the biggest blues festival in the Baltic states. Subsequently they have arranged dates for each other in their respective countries on an almost annual basis as well as collaborating on recordings and various other projects.
Arcari made his Mid Wales R&B Club Brecon Muse debut last year with sold out show for the club and is looking forward to his return: “It’s great to be coming back to play for the club – and even better to be sharing the bill with my pal Andres.
“He’s a fantastic player and we’ve been pals for 20 years. We’ve played shows and festivals together throughout Europe and Scandinavia but this is the first show we’ll have played together in Wales.
”As well as recording what will be his eighth full-length solo album Arcari is also busy putting together music for film and TV worldwide.
His work has featured in hit US series The Deadliest Catch and closer to home in numerous BBC TV productions.
He is an official artist for New Tone Strings, Reunion Blues gig bags, Diamond Bottlenecks, G7th Capo and National Reso-Phonic Guitars who launched their‘ Dave Arcari signature’ instruments in 2019.
https://davearcari.com/website/
https://www.andresroots.com/
For further information please contact:
Margaret @ Buzz Records on + 44 7872 534114 or e-mail
margaret@thebuzzgroup.co.uk
MWR&BC:
http://midwalesrandb.club/

MID WALES R&B CLUB Proudly Presents THE JAMES OLIVER BAND featuring NORMAN WATT-ROY live at The Muse
2025-04-26 19:30 - 23:00 | Powys
MID WALES R&B CLUB
Proudly Presents THE JAMES OLIVER BAND featuring NORMAN WATT-ROY live at The Muse in Brecon
James Oliver is one of the UK’s busiest acts playing over 300 gigs a year all over the UK, Europe, and the USA!
He has performed over 3000 gigs and shared the stage with many acts including Albert Lee, Bill Kirchen, Deke Leonard, Greg Koch, Walter Trout, Steve Gibbons, Billy Bremner, Geraint Watkins, and many others.
In 2020 James won the UK Blues Awards Emerging Artist of the Year and has since been nominated 3 additional times.
James Oliver released 2 studio albums 3 live albums, and his album Twang was #1 on Amazon Blues Charts for 3 weeks. James is currently working on a new record with legendary producer, John Leckie.
James’ YouTube channel has over 20,000 subscribers with over 9 million views.
Blues in Britain Magazine
“Pure genius – live music as it should be played”
Blues Matters Magazine
“Best guitarist in the UK”
https://www.jamesoliverband.co.uk/
With legendary
NORMAN WATT ROY
Ex Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Wilko Johnson. Recorded with Nick Lowe, The Clash, Nick Cave, Roger Daltry, Madness and more!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Watt-Roy.
With regular JOB drummer.
MARK KEMLO
Drummer @ The Rimshots / Gene Gambler / The Rhythm Slicks / King Joe & the Atlantics / and of course The James Oliver Band.
Live at The Muse in Brecon on Saturday the 26 April 2025
http://midwalesrandb.club/

MWR&BC 11TH ANNIVERSARY GATHERING
2025-05-18 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
https://www.henrysfuneralshoe.com/
MWR&BC 11TH ANNIVERSARY GATHERING

Set to Rock & Blues The Muse

The much-loved MWR&BC (The Mid Wales Rhythm and Blues club) is thrilled to announce its 11th Anniversary Gathering, taking place on Sunday, 18th May at The Muse.
This milestone event promises a full day of live music, camaraderie, and celebration in honour of over a decade of unforgettable musical moments.
Tickets and Availability: Tickets are priced at £25, with 60 odd tickets available — 33 already reserved / Sold with 30 odd to sell. Early booking is highly recommended to secure your spot at this intimate and highly anticipated event.

Event Schedule (Subject to Change): 2:00 PM: Doors Open (Background music and food licenced bar) live music from 3pm till late also STC.

The club welcomes a return to Brecon For HENRY’S FUNERAL SHOE (One of Angus’s very favourite acts whom he has a long association with)
Special guest on the day (Alphabetically are)

BECKY THE BULLET
https://linktr.ee/beckythebullet

BELLA COLLINS
https://www.facebook.com/bellacollinsmusic

CONNOR JILLIONS
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012215914562

FRAN McGILLIVRAY & MIKE BURKE (all the way from London)
https://www.franmike.com/

SOUTHERN FRIED GROOVE QUEENS

https://sfgq.co.uk/

Celebrating 11 Years of Music and Community:

Promoter Angus Kings expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported the club over the years, saying, “It means a great deal to me to reach our 11th year alongside Chris & Cath Rogers — a massive thank you to all who have been part of this journey. Let’s make this celebration one to remember!”
Get Your Tickets:
With tickets already in demand, those interested are encouraged to reserve tickets now to avoid disappointment.
A ticket link may be made available closer to the date, but for now, please reach out directly to Angus (details below) to secure your place. Join us for a day of sensational live performances and raise a glass to 11 years of MWR&BC magic — see you at The Muse!
For press inquiries or ticket reservations, please contact:

Angus Kings 0786 6000 596

www.midwalesrandb.club

angus@midwalesrandb.club

https://www.facebook.com/midwalesrhythmandblues

https://www.instagram.com/themidwalesrandb/

MISTY BLUES LIVE AT THE MUSE...
2025-06-29 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
The MWR&BC in association with RockinNights Promo & The Muse Brecon Presents…
MISTY BLUES
2019 International Blues Challenge finalist, Misty Blues, is led by lead singer/band founder Gina Coleman. The band is based out of Berkshire County, Massachusetts playing original and traditional blues with hints of jazz, soul, funk and tent revival gospel since 1999. The band has recorded with Charles Neville, Joe Louis Walker, Eric Gales, Kat Riggins and Justin Johnson, and opened for contemporary blues artists Mike Zito, Albert Castiglia, Tab Benoit, James Montgomery, John Primer, Roomful Of Blues, Albert Cummings and Michael Powers. Misty Blues performs extensively throughout New England and has toured the continental U.S., UK and Canada. The band has been nominated for several Independent Blues Music Awards and their original recordings have received broad international airplay and topped countless blues, folk and American roots charts.

In the summer of 1999 Gina Coleman was performing in the Williamstown Theatre Festival production of A Raisin In The Sun. That production featured the acting of Ruben Santiago Hudson, Viola Davis, Kimberly Elise and Gloria Foster. Coleman was cast as a gospel singer. Nearing the end of the show’s run, Ruben Santiago Hudson gave Coleman a cd collection entitled Men Are Like Streetcars. He told her that her voice was well-suited for the blues and urged her to take that musical direction. Coleman heeded his advice, and after 25 years and 16 albums, Misty Blues has stood the test of time.
https://www.mistybluesband.com/
https://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/misty-blues-
https://www.youtube.com/c/MistyBluesBand
http://midwalesrandb.club/
https://www.themusebrecon.com/

The MWR&BC Presents BEAUX GRIS GRIS & THE APOCALYPSE live at The Muse (Concert One)
2025-07-12 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
The MWR&BC & Ruth Gibbs Presents back 2 kcab shows with BEAUX GRIS GRIS & THE APOCALYPSE (First Night)
THE MUSE BRECON
Internationally acclaimed roots-rock band
Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse
are returning to Wales this summer for two exclusive, full-band electric performances.
These will be the band’s only club dates in Wales and their only summer club shows of 2025. Known for their high-energy performances and unique blend of rock, soul, blues, and swampy Americana, Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse have captivated audiences across the UK, Europe, and the United States. With accolades for their genre-defying sound and magnetic live presence, they’ve grown a dedicated international fan base and have become festival favourites across the circuit.
These special performances celebrate the small venues that gave the band their start—intimate spaces that supported and believed in Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse from the very beginning.
To mark the occasion, both nights will be professionally audio recorded for a special upcoming live release, capturing the raw energy and connection of this rare and powerful weekend.
SPECIAL GUEST – THIS SHOW ONLY: JON AMOR will be joining the band, legendary UK guitarist and songwriter Jon—best known for his work with The Hoax, Jon Amor Trio, and countless solo and collaborative projects. Widely regarded as one of the most soulful and electrifying guitarists in the UK, Jon’s appearance makes this a must-see evening for fans of blues, rock, and raw musicianship.
The weekend is presented jointly by the Mid Wales Rhythm & Blues Club & Ruth Gibbs and held at The Muse, one of Brecon’s most beloved cultural venues. A weekend not to be missed.
DATES:
Saturday, July 12 & Sunday, July 13, 2025
The Muse, Brecon, Wales
Doors Open 7pm showtime 7.30pm for both evenings.
https://www.beauxgrisgris.com/
https://jonamor.tumblr.com/
http://midwalesrandb.club/
https://www.themusebrecon.com/

The MWR&BC Presents BEAUX GRIS GRIS & THE APOCALYPSE live at The Muse (Concert Two)
2025-07-13 19:30 - 23:00 | The Muse at Brecon, The Muse, Glamorgan Street, Brecon, Powys, LD37DW, United Kingdom
The MWR&BC & Ruth Gibbs Presents back 2 kcab shows with BEAUX GRIS GRIS & THE APOCALYPSE (Second Night)
THE MUSE BRECON
Internationally acclaimed roots-rock band
Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse
are returning to Wales this summer for two exclusive, full-band electric performances.
These will be the band’s only club dates in Wales and their only summer club shows of 2025. Known for their high-energy performances and unique blend of rock, soul, blues, and swampy Americana, Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse have captivated audiences across the UK, Europe, and the United States. With accolades for their genre-defying sound and magnetic live presence, they’ve grown a dedicated international fan base and have become festival favourites across the circuit.
These special performances celebrate the small venues that gave the band their start—intimate spaces that supported and believed in Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse from the very beginning.
To mark the occasion, both nights will be professionally audio recorded for a special upcoming live release, capturing the raw energy and connection of this rare and powerful weekend.
The weekend is presented jointly by the Mid Wales Rhythm & Blues Club & Ruth Gibbs and held at The Muse, one of Brecon’s most beloved cultural venues. A weekend not to be missed.
DATES:
Saturday, July 12 & Sunday, July 13, 2025
The Muse, Brecon, Wales
Doors Open 7pm showtime 7.30pm for both evenings.
https://www.beauxgrisgris.com/
2014-2025: Eleven years and going strong

https://www.themusebrecon.com/

The MWR&BC Presents Blues Hall of Fame Inductee Dave Speight with sga Blues Maestro Jonathan Nicholas...
2025-08-22 19:30 - 22:00 | Kensington Baptist Church, Kensington, Brecon, Powys, LD39AY, United Kingdom
The MWR&BC Presents Blues Hall of Fame Inductee Dave Speight…
He has played the Blues for nearly 60 years and is described by Blues in Britain as a “national treasure”.
Dave…
As I’ve got older I’ve found the applause lasts a bit longer and is louder. Have played clubs, pubs, bars, concerts, festivals – wherever there is a good atmosphere and someone in the audience, appreciates the performance. I was proud to be inducted (at last) in 2017. I’ve been performing acoustic blues for nearly 60 yrs.
And with more and more feeling that I have a good reason to do so as I age and life presents its various scenarios. The fingers may have slowed… but the voice still works. At my age, it’s always good to be able to sing “Woke Up This Morning”.

NORTH COUNTRY BLUES
60 YEARS AND STILL PLAYING THE BLUES
MEETING UP WITH DAVE SPEIGHT
There’s an old folk song that stated that if you go to the North Country, well you will find one hugely unsung but a British national blues treasure in Dave Speight. Recommended to me by photographer Jennifer Noble, we just had to find out more of the man, born in Liverpool, but these days resides in Yorkshire. If fact if you’ve been to any blues festival in the area you’ve seen him, heard him, and been drawn in by his mastery and love of the music he plays, just one man and his guitar.
Asking Dave through all the years he’s been playing his blues, and supporting many major names along the way. What in the first instance place drew him towards it in the first place, Dave replied;
‘First heard Howlin’ Wolf singing Smokestack Lightning and from having been a Motown boy until 16 years old I was instantly locked into the blues. There were no blues albums to be had in 1963 other than Josh White. But after some digging around, found some. Only started playing guitar after a visit to a folk club in nearby Warrington in 1964 and seeing people properly unplugged in a room holding 300, and you could hear a pin drop. There was an old guy who worked at Hessy’s in Stanley Street in Liverpool who played a couple of Broonzy licks, plus I bought a Big Bill Broonzy album, and worked it out, even played it at 16rpm so you could hear what was happening (half speed). Robert Johnson’s album left me open mouthed. Then later a wondrous record store opened in Leeds, and one of the staff there saved all the acoustic blues albums he came across – Blind Boy Fuller, Skip James, Blind Willie McTell, Scrapper Blackwell, Mance Lipscomb (although my first copy of that was a wedding present from my best mate). Along with listening to the very popular Mike Raven’s Blues Show (BBC), along with albums borrowed and never returned ‘
Like pretty well every other aspiring young guitarist Dave got going with Bert Weedon’s Tutor ‘I wondered why it hurt so much and was so difficult. Soon gave up strumming though once I heard Bob Dylan fingerpicking. I met Paul Simon he showed me his style and I gave him a couple of Angi riffs he hadn’t quite sorted. We’d both been listening to Davy Graham at that time’.
So countless blisters were achieved on his right hand as he learnt these songs for himself
‘Having seen Rev Gary Davis I gave up folk music and just wanted to play the blues’ In fact there is a photograph of Davis playing at a festival and sitting to the side of him Dave Speight watching. He also tells the story of that gig plus meeting the great bluesman, who over the weekend smoked over 100 of Dave’s own cigarettes.
To that first gig every musician goes through
‘I played blues at my first paid gig; in fact there’s even a recording of one of the songs on my website still today. It was at the Minor Bird folk club in Warrington. Earlier they had “made me” get up and perform, so if I played there, I got in for free. In 1966 they thought I was good enough. Interesting to note Paul Simon had played the same venue in 1965 and he was paid twelve guineas. I was paid a fiver and thought I’d made it’ Wish I could have kept that same wage differential!
‘When I saw Rev Gary Davis, I stayed up all night with him and late at night when no one else was around he played ‘Cocaine Blues’ and ‘Della’ for me. Sang them when he knew no women were watching. (His wife disapproved of profane songs). So my cigarettes were my payment for the lesson plus a bottle of whisky. He wasn’t supposed to drink and his minder the folk artist Maddie Pryor went nuts. Before that he had passed his guitar to me and said ‘play me some, let’s see what you got’
Davis thought he played well but he thought it was too clean, technically good but not enough bite, a lesson in living and breathing the music, not just playing it well!
Asking Dave if he’d always played solo or had been in bands as well, he said;
‘I have not always been solo, played in duo’s and groups when playing folk clubs when blues wasn’t fashionable in the mid/ late, 70’s . Then a couple of years with a crazy jug band the Hot Pot Belly Band-they were insane, and one night playing at a local university we were joined by Steve Phillips, Brendan Croker and Mark Knopfler (he played my guitar) and Pick Withers who played bones’ Dire Straits had been playing support for Talking Heads in a bigger hall and so Steve dragged them up, to join us’
Then of course later Croker, Phillips and Mark Knopfler teamed up for one album and tour performing mainly blues with The Notting Hillbillies. Steve Phillips has for years played a regular gig at The Grosvenor Hotel in Robin Hood’s Bay Yorkshire, where often Mark Knopfler would join in the sessions, and bought his famous National metal guitar from him. Dave then went onto say he was also the front man for another R & B band during the early to mid 2000’s.
‘Thinking of others I have seen or played alongside there’s John Lee Hooker, Son House, Champion Jack Dupree, Fred Mc Dowell, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, and David Honeyboy Edwards (four times). On the same bill I’ve played with Juke Boy Bonner, Jack Dupree and a whole raft of UK players, some you may not know including Ian Anderson (the one from Bristol), Mike Cooper, Duster Bennett, Steve Phillips and Jo Anne Kelly. First time Jo Anne came up north she was my support, that quickly changed as I supported her the next time. She had such a great voice, sadly passed on far too young). Others at that time included, The Hokum Hot Shots, Ray Stubbs, along with my good friend Sholto Lenaghan where we played John Estes numbers mainly – there’s still a few copies of our North Country Blues album kicking around since 1997.’
Dave Speight still remains in normal times a busy bluesman, though he does say now,
‘Of late if I’ve not been the star attraction then I’ve been the opener for quite a few blues bands. Was due to be supporting ‘The Colonel’, but with Covid, Steve Cropper was not arriving from the USA. Hopefully though as I already have a booking with Catfish Keith later this year, if he is able to come here. I’ve played the warm up for him before, so it will be nice to join him again’.
‘Mind I play a lot quieter than he does’.
Alongside being a performing musician like several others Dave also teaches guitar , ‘Yes, I do teach but I’m not a great teacher if you don’t pick it up quickly. One notable success is a young guy named Will Savers who has just released an album, he learns very quickly and has really applied himself – he lives in Italy’.
It was time to ask Dave about his own music, the work put into it to grasp that authentic sound of the early blues,
‘Great question that – it is random. I always have about eighty numbers that can quickly be brought back to performance level. So, with each of the three albums I have released, when I record, all the tracks are in one take, no overdubs, they come as they are. It is what it is on the day and often it is one new number that prompts me to head to the studio- or as on the last album being offered free studio time which was nice’ The albums so far released are ‘A Seam Of The Blues’, ‘Blues Around Midnight’, and ‘Last Chance Blues’. It’s also true that one was done in a very long late night take, the way blues used to be done in the old days.
So asking Dave about his music brought some sound advice for any budding musician, hear this;
‘I have always said do it like you mean it, really mean it. For young guitarists: learn your craft then put the guitar down. Throw your head back and sing without the guitar, really go for it, make those words matter to you, don’t just say them like a hymn or folk song – feel it. Then pick up the guitar again and don’t let the guitar drive the singing. Let the singing/performance drive the guitar. Never stop!!. This music has been around me for sixty years and it will always be what I do’. Work on it and learn your craft, live the music you’re playing, surely sound advice for everyone who plays.
Then about his guitars ; ‘I have a number of guitars that go on the road with me. My main guitar is one that Steve Phillips built for me back in 1979. Loads of bling and Brazilian Rosewood- it’s good but not as good as the 000 Martin it’s based on. Have a guitar that I now use as a baritone, as I age my vocal chords won’t reach the high notes anymore so I need to play the same but in a lower key.
There is also a 12 string (tuned down to A) and both were ladder built by Pete Howlett (who is currently building his thousandth Uke). I used to have a Belotona tri-cone built this time by Steve Evans that rings like a bell and more humbly, but increasingly used, and an old ‘Michigan’ Parlour guitar of indeterminate age (made around the 30’s) that I use as an authentic sounding slide guitar. Then most recently a beautiful little 12 fret Vega, I bought from my good friend Jim Murray. I have a luthier nearby, who replaced the fingerboard, bridge and tuners then re-finished the back and sides for me. It has an amazing balance and to think it was originally built c1910 so that helps. This is now my main stage guitar’
The man, his music and his instruments, after sixty years playing the blues, he has much still to offer live but some great advice as well. So where next for Dave Speight, once things get back to some sort of normality, and his return to playing the music he loves
‘There are no ladders, just snakes. Missed a bunch of festival gigs last year that will hopefully happen at some point in the future. Just keep checking the website (a great place to catch Dave playing live at various venues via You Tube). But we’ll be back. Though sadly I’ve heard that a few of my favourite venues have called time for the last time and they will not be returning. There are many others of us here in the North of England who love and play acoustic blues…and we will carry on playing with that passion we always have done…ladder or no’.
Dave Speight may not be a household name to many being based in the north, and all his years as a musician it’s made him one of the finest artists in the country playing the real Delta blues. One thing Dave certainly wanted to add to our time was the influence of Wizz Jones (sadly recently died).
‘He was’ says Dave,’ the first person I heard play Blind Boy Fuller and that was jaw dropping back in the mid 60’s. Then there was the time he took me along with him to The Troubadour and I played in the same line up with him (we had played together before because Wizz is very generous with other performers), John Martyn and Stephan Grossman. You know it may not mean a lot to others, but for me it was a real milestone as a young player, just coming out of my teenage years’.
Thanks to Dave Speight for his time, energy and great blues over many years, do check him out it will be far more than worth it, As Jenifer Noble said to me, ‘Dave Speight is a real national treasure and should be heard’
That sums it up perfectly, Delta blues lives !
Pete Clack
DAVE SPEIGHT’s Top 10 Blues

Two days after this event with the club Dave plays at The Great British R&B Festival in Colne on Sunday, 24th August 2025 on the Little Theatre Acoustic Stage | 17:15 – 18:15 so really pleased to get the date before that musical adventure.
https://www.davespeight.xfr.co.uk/
MORE DETAILS POSTED SOON.
Angus Kings 0786 6000 596
Blues related.
www.midwalesrandb.club
angus@midwalesrandb.club
https://www.facebook.com/midwalesrhythmandblues
https://www.instagram.com/themidwalesrandb/
