Artists
Here are the artists appearing at the festival in 2023 with links to their websites where available, together with the times and venues for their gigs. A quick peek at each venue is available by clicking the venue names.
After Hours Band

Where Blues meets Rock! Formed in 1989 by guitarist Steve Tansley and after a number of line-up changes he was joined 23 years ago by 'guitar slinger' Dave Crane Their complimentary guitar styles, are scorching! The rhythm section boasts Harry Collins on Bass and Dave 'Nobby' Sparrow on Drums with the new addition of Kenny Philpot on keyboards. Individually and collectively the band has played alongside many top international pop, rock, and country acts.
Sat 9:00~11:00pm
The Cherry Tree


Soulful, funky this female-fronted blues band from South Wales is influenced by Etta James, Janis Joplin, Koko Taylor, Freddie King, ZZ Top, SRV, Buddy Guy & many more. Featured on BBC Radio and Blues in Britain as 'emerging talent' on the UK blues scene they released their debut EP 'Silver Lining' in Feb 2023, and have 3 singles streaming on all services receiving global radio play. (see website for links and more glowing reviews).
Sun 2:00~4:00pm
The George Hotel
Sun 7:00~9:00pm
The Red Lion

Sun 4:00~6:00pm
The Red Lion
Bill Bennett

Bill lives in Nuneaton. His first public performance was at Ellenor Fenn Garden last year which went down really well; he has a strong full voice and plays his own guitar accompaniment.
Sat 1:40~2:00pm
Ellenor Fenn Gardens

Chris Moorhouse - Chris 'n Dan

Chris Moorhouse plays bluesy covers and original songs with an individual angle on the blues. Chris is manfully backed by the big-on-the-local scene blues pianist Dan Earp. There'll be guitar and piano solos aplenty.
Sat 3:40~4:00pm
Ellenor Fenn Gardens

Sat 3:00~4:00pm
The Bull
Sat 7:00~8:00pm
The Railway Tavern
Danielle Nicole

Hailing from Kansas City is the brilliant Danielle Nicole and her band. Winner of 8 international blues awards, and Grammy nominated for her latest album. With a rocking, nitty gritty blues style of her own, she is a spectacular catch for the festival. For a taste of the band, you can see her on YouTube or catch her on Spotify.
Wed 9:00~10:30pm
Dereham Memorial Hall

Sat 2:00~3:00pm
The George Hotel
Sat 4:00~5:00pm
Ellenor Fenn Gardens

Fri 9:00~11:00pm
The Cherry Tree

Fri 9:00~11:00pm
The Railway Tavern


Sun 4:00~6:00pm
The Bull
Graham Ball

Although Graham plays bass guitar with The Part Time Blues Band and has for many years, he also has his roots in acoustic music as a singer songwriter, performing an eclectic mix of originals and covers.
Sat 1:20~1:40pm
Ellenor Fenn Gardens

Sat 8:00~9:00pm
The Red Lion

Sat 2:00~3:00pm
The Red Lion


Thu 9:00~11:00pm
The Kings Head
Fri 9:00~11:00pm
The Red Lion
Jamie O'Hara

Local lass, starting out. Guitar & vocals to brighten your day. And you can get a pint from her behind the bar at the Cock afterwards.
Sat 1:00~1:20pm
Ellenor Fenn Gardens

Fri 9:00~11:00pm
The Cock
Sat 1:00~2:00pm
The Gemini
Sat 4:00~5:00pm
The Railway Tavern
Sat 9:00~11:00pm
The Kings Head


Lou & the Tall Boys

Fri 6:00~8:00pm
The Cock

Sun 5:00~6:00pm
The George Hotel
Miller•Crossan

Sat 3:00~4:00pm
The Kings Head
Sat 6:00~7:00pm
Arnie's
Sat 9:00~11:00pm
DC's Bar
Sun 5:00~7:00pm
Toftwood Social Club


Sat 1:00~2:00pm
The George Hotel
Sat 3:00~4:00pm
The Gemini
Sat 5:00~6:00pm
The Bull
Sat 7:00~8:00pm
DC's Bar

Sun 2:00~4:00pm
Toftwood Social Club

Sun 7:00~9:00pm
The George Hotel

Thu 9:00~11:00pm
The Red Lion
Rockavox

Established in 2012, RockavoX is an independent rock choir offering it’s own unique spin on well-known rock and pop tracks of the past 70 years! Based in Dereham and Swaffham and part of the J.D.T. Music Academy, RockavoX performs at venues and gigs across Norfolk, raising money for charities and supporting the academy’s Big Build Project. We’re thrilled to be supporting the Dereham Blues Festival this year!
Wed 6:30~7:15pm
Dereham Memorial Hall
Sat 3:10~3:40pm
Ellenor Fenn Gardens
Ross Stewart

Kicking off the festival is our very own home grown star of the future, Ross Stewart. Ross was born in Scotland, and now lives in Long Stratton and has become a highly respected member of the local blues scene. For one so young Ross plays the blues from his soul and never fails to leave his audience wowed by his stunning guitar playing and mellifluous voice.
Wed 7:30~8:30pm
Dereham Memorial Hall
Ruby 'n Bailey

Ruby is from Toftwood and is just 13 years old. She has been playing piano for about two years and is interested in playing blues whilst her bass playing friend Bailey comes from New Zealand – she also plays sax.
Sat 3:00~3:10pm
Ellenor Fenn Gardens

Sat 3:00~5:00pm
Toftwood Social Club
Sat 9:00~11:00pm
The Railway Tavern

Hailing from Nottingham and comprising of drums (Pete Pearson), bass (Candy Holmes) and guitarist/singer (Simon Holmes), Shinkicker's repertoire all comes from the music of Irish Blues Rock Legend, Rory Gallagher. The band has been together and performing, mainly at festivals, for over 10 years. We don't play a note for note rendition of the albums preferring to play an appreciation of Rory's style.
Last year Shinkicker were a last minute stand in for the final night of The Rory Gallagher Festival in Nantwich - following which we were picked up by the agency running the event.
Sat 3:00~4:00pm
The Cherry Tree
Sat 10:00pm~midnight
Arnie's

Sun 2:00~4:00pm
DC's Bar

Thu 9:00~11:00pm
The Cherry Tree
Stormy-T and Bluesman's Lane

Fri 6:00~8:00pm
The Kings Head

Fri 7:00~9:00pm
Dereham Golf Club
The Cruisers

We are a quartet of experienced musicians who play blues and blues rock from across the decades. We have performed at the Dereham Blues Festival since its inception and are proud to be invited back in 2023.
Sat 1:00~2:00pm
The Red Lion
Sat 4:00~5:00pm
Arnie's

Fri 9:00~11:00pm
Arnie's

The Harp and Blues Company

Sat 5:00~6:00pm
The Gemini
Sat 7:00~8:00pm
The George Hotel
The Ministry of Mojo

Sat 2:00~3:00pm
DC's Bar
Sat 5:00~6:00pm
The George Hotel

An electro acoustic duo playing songs from the full spectrum of Blues music. Rootsy to the core, this pair is a firm favourite at UK blues festivals. Julie's mellifluous voice is both soulful and arresting whilst the enigmatic Bob provides moody complimentary bass lines
Sat 12:00~1:00pm
Ellenor Fenn Gardens
Sat 6:00~7:00pm
The George Hotel

The Shunters Company

The Simon Whitney Band

The Simon Whitney Band is steeped in blues from this side of the Diss side of the Railway track to the Ooze Delta and back. Seasoned regular pub gig performers stomp rock and jive their way through standards and classics. If you like it hot you got it.
Fri 9:00~11:00pm
The Bull

Thu 9:00~11:00pm
The Cock
Fri 9:00~11:00pm
The George Hotel

Fri 9:00~11:00pm
The Kings Head
Sun 12:00~2:00pm
The Cock

Thu 9:00~11:00pm
The Bull
Sat 3:00~4:00pm
The George Hotel
Sat 7:00~8:00pm
The Red Lion
Sat 10:00pm~midnight
The Cock

Sun 7:00~9:00pm
The Cock
Unfinished Business


Sat 12:00~1:00pm
The Cock
Sat 3:00~5:00pm
The Coachmakers
Sat 7:00~8:00pm
The Gemini
Sun 1:00~3:00pm
The Red Lion