Alex McKown first picked up the guitar when he was 6 years of age and developed his performance skills by performing regularly at the blues/rock jam at The Whittles in Oldham. Alex is a finalist in the 2015 British Blues Awards for the fifth year in succession and his band have been featured on two significant albums, alongside the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Robert Cray and The Royal Southern Brotherhood.

Connie Lush has been recognised as one of the finest Blues singers in the UK, winning five times, “Best Female Vocalist Uk” earning a place in the gallery of greats, alongside Alexis Corner and Eric Clapton to name just two. Twice voted “European Blues Vocalist of the year” by the French Blues Trophies Awards” and nominated again “Best UK Blues Vocalist” 2011-2012.

Laurence Jones Is 23 years old and is already making a big name for himself. 'Young Artist of the Year' at the 2014 and 2015 British Blues Awards, the young gunslinger of the blues has sensationally signed a deal with Ruf Records. His debut album for the label was recorded at the legendary Dockside Studio in Louisiana where artists such as B.B.King and Derek Trucks have recorded.

Doug is known for his superb songwriting, guitar wizardry, warm soulful vocals, wit and unforgettable live performances. He was recently awarded Best Acoustic Artist at the 2016 Blues Music Awards in Memphis, in addition to nominations for Acoustic Album and Song of the Year. 2014 saw him win Best Acoustic Artist and Best Acoustic Album at the same awards. Doug was the writer of the well known Eva Cassady song 'Nightbird'.

With his hard hitting rhythms and incendiary guitar work reminiscent of a young Clapton, Lister is one of very few artists playing blues-infused rock with a modern edge - heartfelt, soul searching and full of fine song-writing played with both passion and vitality. Fresh from his richly deserved accolade as 'Guitarist of the Year' in the 2015 British Blues Awards and straight out of the studio, Aynsley is ready to tour his brand new album, ‘Eyes Wide Open’. The new material combines the songwriting craft of Home with the power of delivery of Tower Sessions. Each song telling a story; astute and revealing observations on life taken from the lives of ordinary people in today’s world, each one delivered in an absolute masterclass in the art of guitar.

Rebecca and her band are a ‘must see’ live act that often leaves newcomers simply blown away by the power of the performance. With her co-writer alongside her, a very tight band behind, and Rebecca’s powerful voice to the fore, the album tracks are elevated to a new level.

Born Healer is a new band from Helen Turner, Iain Black and Andy Jones, ex of the Bare Bones Boogie Band, whose last album, Tattered & Torn, was voted one of the best of the year by Classic Rock: The Blues magazine. Joined now by Marek Funkas on bass, the band will release their debut album in early 2016. Born Healer plays soulful, heavy blues with superb lead vocals.

We are really excited to present Deep in the Top, for the first time in the UK! This young four-piece will be jetting over from Thessaloniki, Greece especially to play the festival this year. Check them out on some of the links below, the band’s influences range from the wide field of Blues, Jazz, Funk and Rock.

Dale's passion for New Orleans music saw him perform his debut theatre gig as a soloist, concentrating on the New Orleans piano styles. The success of that performance led to further dates and Dale has not looked back since. Dale's ambition has always been to play the music of New Orleans, which can be anything from a classically influenced minuet, a latin rhumba, a back o' town junker blues to a frenzied boogie woogie.

Combining the raw power of Son House with the dense hypnotic rhythms of Howlin’ Wolf and the barrel-chested roar of the old blues shouters, Tom’s live shows take audiences on a journey from the Delta to the Download with 21st century intensity.

With one foot firmly in the past, the South Wales-based four-piece are looking to the future too. The Liam Ward Band are known for originals that push blues boundaries, bringing you some of the freshest British blues on offer. One of the UK’s most revered harmonica players, vocalist and harp player Liam Ward is a winner of the National Harmonica League Player of the Year and has been described by Harmonica World as 'endlessly inventive'.

Midnite Johnny has worked extensively throughout his native USA and has established a reputation as one of South Florida’s most powerful Blues and Rock guitarists. The band’s sound is based on all styles of Blues music including 70s Blues Rock and Southern Rock sounds. First established in 1994 out of South Florida, now for the past 5 years Midnite Johnny has been based in the UK and with the current band line up; live shows offer a growing collection of Midnite Johnny's own work and reworked versions of Blues and Rock classics played with maturity and passion.

Triple J are a blues rock trio playing a mixture of classic and modern songs with a contemporary edge. The band consists of three highly professional musicians with a wealth of experience under their collective belts.

Yes Sir are back playing, their own style of “Jumping ” Chicago R’n’B. Reformed and gigging by end of 2006, YesSir have gone back to their original set and line up of the early 80’s when they were one of Manchester’s hardest gigging bands, and regulars at Manchester venues the “Band on the Wall”, “The Gallery” and pubs, clubs and universities up and down the country.

Delta Radio mix psychedelic experimentalism, classic rock, and electric blues. Their sound can move effortlessly from the grit and groove of Howlin’ Wolf and Captain Beefheart, to the jazz infused finesse of The Allman Brothers and Derek Trucks. The band, from North Wales, are equally at home playing their own material, as they are reworking blues classics in their own style. Look out for their debut EP, which they will be recording later in the year.

Colin Hinds, former guitarist with China Crisis, is joined by Dave Hinds and Paul Need. Since 1992 Paul has worked as a freelance keyboard, piano / Fender Rhodes & Hammond Organ player in the UK and around the world; most notably with China Crisis, Sam Brown and Jaki Graham as well as playing with some of this countries ’top' session musicians including Malcolm Joseph (bass, Grace Jones), Colin Hinds (guitar, Gary Barlow, 10cc and Paul Carrack), Lea Mullen (percussion, George Michael), Mel Gaynor (drummer, Simple Minds) and Gaz Gaskell (formerly of Supercharge and Ben E King Band).

Burning Black is everything you ever expected to hear from a blues band and more, hard hitting rhythm with dynamic riffs to classy acoustic numbers.

Mr Hat's Soul Collective is roots, blues, soul and it's something new with its roots in the past. Featuring John McCallum (guitarist with Corinne Bailey Rae and the Haggis Horns) on vocals and guitar, with Andy Hay on percussion and vocals.

A 9-piece Ska band with a touch of soul based in North Wales, playing tunes from Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff, The Specials, The Beat, Bad Manners, Madness and more!

The band was founded by frontman vocalist and harmonica player George Hexman in the late 70s, joining forces with major movers and shakers of the Liverpool music scene. The band’s music is blues based certainly but the defining quality of the Hexmen has always been energy with an aggressive, indie edge and a psychedelic undercurrent that lends extra dimensions to the music.