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 keyboard. Individually and collectively the band has played alongside many top international pop, rock, and country acts.
Against the Grain is a band based in Norfolk that has been in existence for over 30 years. Playing mainly Blues and Rock with a splattering of Soul and Pop, in ATG's way. Expect some Hendrix, Peter Green and perhaps if John gets his way, Bob Dylan.
Incendiary guitar playing, bluesy vocals, and funky grooves characterise the music of the Andy Grant Band. Think classic rock-era rock 3 piece mixed with a 21st-century edge- add a dash of slide guitar and you’re getting close to this rootsy blend of blues, soul, and rock.
With their foot-stomping, danceable rhythms and a lot of fun to boot, Back Porch will make you laugh, cry and tap your feet! It’s a stripped-down line-up of harp, washboard, and guitars – just some mates sitting on a back porch, playing the blues.
London based singer songwriter with strong blues influence to his work influenced by the beat writers of the early sixties and the music of BB King and Howlin' Wolf, with lyrics inspired by the likes of Jack Kerouac .Here perfoming with his band
A hard driving good time blues band with Simon Whitney and Daniel Carway up front, Dicky Pearce on bass and Keith Froud on drums. A powerful combination of guitars and blues harp drive the band along with gritty vocals and backing from Simon and Daniel. All excellent Norfolk blues musicians at the top of their game. Not to be missed.
Catfish are one of the UK's most exciting blues-rock powerhouses on the circuit today. They have quickly established themselves on the scene as one to watch. The band features multi award winning Matt Long on guitar and vocals, his father Paul Long on keyboards and vocals, Adam Pyke on bass and internationally acclaimed drummer Phil Wilson. The band has been making waves in the last few years, with regular tours and festivals appearances in the UK, Europe and the USA and have established themselves as a real force in the British blues scene.
We just love playing live and our set includes our interpretations of classics from across the ages, from the Juke Joints of the Mississippi Delta to the mean streets of Chicago via the British Blues Explosion. Music to soothe your soul, move your body and expand your mind!
An established Jazzy/Blues'N'Roots trio, based in Bishop's Stortford Hertfordshire. The band focus on an early jazz/blues cross over sound, authentically recalling the period whilst extending this vocabulary into more recent songs to create a unique collection of sounds and blues themes. The band tend to play Blues Clubs and established Blues venues or host their own Blues'N'Roots nights at a number of venues - with a monthly residency at The Bishops Cave in Bishops Stortford. e.g: Blues in The City (Chelmsford), The Music Den - Epping, Burnt Mill, Harlow, South Mill Arts Centre B. Stortford. Live studio recordings of signature tunes can be found on the band's website www.cleansneak.com/music as well as full gig listing and history.
Cold Sweat are a 5 Piece Boogie Blues & R'n'R Band, If You Like 'Attitude',' Soul' plus that Late 60's 'British Blues' Feel, dont miss this Band. Beautiful Authentic Guitar Playing by Andy Clouting, Effortless Piano and Hammond from Dennis Robbens, Pure Passion from Vocalist Simon Lovick, and with the Strength of Peter Thompson (bass) and Steven 'Stan; Clouting (Drums) as the Rhythm Section. One of Norfolk and Suffolks Finest Bands Back at the Dereham Blues Festival. We Want you Dancing!
Chicago Blues at it's finest from North London's legendary Doc K's Blues Band. Originally formed by ex John Mayall guitarist Geoff Krivit, the band has undergone more changes than Trigger's broom, but throughout their fifty year history, the band has been lead by singer/slide player Dave 'Mad Dog' Barnes. A Doc K's gig may induce spontaneous foot tapping, and in extreme cases, dancing.
Soaring vocals from Lauren Dove and raw, gritty guitar from Mark ‘Boweevil’ Howes provide a sumptuous set of Americana , vintage soul ans Stax influenced material.
Egypt is a UK blues rock three piece band formed in 1987 by: Eric Chipulina - guitar and vocals, Alan Fish - bass and vocals, Peter Correa on drums. All three are former members of legendary progressive blues outfit The Groundhogs, and have featured on several albums and toured throughout the UK and Europe over many years. Alan´s credentials also include playing with members of Welsh heavy rock pioneers Budgie in the band Tredegar, two albums for ex-Bo Diddley harp player Billy Boy Arnold, and a European tour for Chuck Berry among other things.
An entertaining 5 piece band from Norwich Norfolk bringing you a mix of blues and soul based numbers or your listening pleasure, with the amazing vocals of Jade Grand.
Yve Mary B 's soulful vocals are a joy to experience. Mellow, laid back but with a rich intensity that draws you into her world of blues-based Americana that she has brought with her all the way from Alabama USA where she now lives having been born and bred in Norfolk. A firm favourite with the local music scene folk, we're real glad Yve stopped by to pay us a visit.
Henry is a well-respected local performer who has hosted the Norfolk Blues Society jam sessions. Giving powerful renditions of everything from delta slide blues to jump jivin' dancefloor fillers his excellent guitar licks and gritty voice are augmented by his passion for music performance.
High-octane three-piece blues band, playing more unusual tracks as well as some new versions of early blues and our own original blues material. Ex-members of the electric blues machine deliver low-swamp Mississippi right through to twisting, turning, rip-roaring in your face 12 bar blues.
Indigo Collective are a new Blues/rock covers band from Dereham, covering artists like King King, Garry Moore, Bernie Marsden, Siggi Schwarz, Prince, Thunder, Joe Bonamassa,
Blues as it should be. Harmonica led four piece blues band. East anglia´s true blues band. You get what it says on the tin. The best blues in town. Oh yea.
Lively and fun West Norfolk based electric blues trio covering the likes of John Mayall, Clapton, Peter Green, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Taj Mahal and many more. Under our former band name "Stone Pepper Blues" we are previous performers at the Dereham Blues Fest with a raucous show on the Friday night at The Red Lion. One of our best compliments on that night was the DBF official photographer commenting "I've photo'd 25 bands so far this week and you guys are the best I've seen". Following s light lineup change on Bass and re-naming you'll find us as regulars in Dereham at The Cock's Sunday afternoon Blues sessions as well as other venues such as The Bull and The Gemini. We aim to be ambassadors of Blues, playing pop up gigs in bars between Wisbech and Norwich and Cambridge, including venues that have regular live acts, but also "pop up" shows at Village Halls, wowing audiences that didn't even know what Blues is, or that they loved it!
Justin Light & The Midnighters offer up a rocking and rollicking evening of high-octane rhythm and blues. Their song writing employs traditional blues structures, catchy hooks, sassy lyrics and are accompanied by stinging guitar tones, groovy bass lines and incendiary drums all of which are stretched out in the live setting through some intense improvisation and crowd-pleasing danceable grooves. In just one year they have played a couple of festivals, including Tenby Blues, secured a residency with The Guitar Social, played several times at Ain’t Nothing But… in Soho and various other London venues including The Night Owl, Finsbury Park, Fiddlers Elbow, Camden, Water Rats , Kings Cross, TAM Elephant and have recorded an album which was released on Vinyl and all digital platforms in September 2023.
Vocalist Katie O'Malley and her hip-swaying Americana band describe their sound as a mix of Americana, Blues, Soul & Rock. Their 70's inspired music ranges from melodic to gritty guitar and gravelly vocals, - Think Janis Joplin with a modern rootsy rock feel. Katie and her band have played up and down the UK at Festivals, received radio play from BBC Introducing and Planet Rock Radio, supported Beth Rowley and Jill Andrews on their UK tours and her music has been featured in the no. 1 hit Netflix film Kissing Booth 2.
an electrifying power trio, thundering out of Sheffield’s legendary blues rock scene, and influenced by the great rock musicians of another time. Often compared to The Black Keys, Gary Clarke Jr, Cream and the Doors.
A guru of the local blues scene. Spine chillin’ harp riffs and bourbon-drenched vocals draw you in as Luke’s eccentric delivery of his own original acoustic blues numbers just ooze into the atmosphere.
Miller•Crossan is a Scottish-based blues roots trio that excels in fingerpicked acoustic/slide guitars, harmonica, and percussion. The band melds a tinge of the west coast with their unique harmony-laden slant to blues classics and their original driving roots material. Vetrans of Fynefest, Girvan Folk Festival, Crabble Corn Mill Festival in Dover, Hogmanays on Iona, the Callander Jazz & Blues Festival, and they once entertained motorists whilst stuck in a traffic jam on the M25. A must see for festival goers.
John and Craig are multi-instrumentalist musicians who form Mojo Mules a two piece Upbeat blues duo, for fans of Muddy Waters, BB King and Rory Gallagher. They deliver an energetic live set with their own unique brand of The Blues.
Progressive, eclectic female fronted blues with driving guitar riffs and psychedelic keys carrying a range of dark and wild blues-fusion mixed tunes. 75% Originals, 25% covers.
A band using mostly hand-built cigar box guitars and custom-made instruments, Moonshine Coyote’s unique sound draws influences from traditional blues and Americana. Four vocalists, cajon, bass, lap steel, cigar box, and resonator guitars create a diverse soundscape for the band's original songs, and occasional covers done differently. Influenced by the raw blues of Memphis Minnie, Muddy Waters, and Big Mama Thornton and more contemporary acts like The Dead South, their authentic American style looks and feel blend a wealth of band members' experience into a perfect performance of bluesman-ship
NEVEN is a solo acoustic performer originally from Serbia, based in Liverpool. Following years and years of being a drummer in numerous rock bands, and studying orchestral percussion at Faculty of Music Belgrade, NEVEN turned to his very first love - the guitar. NEVEN likes to keep his music honest, lyrics relatable, and performances energetic. 'Bluesy Grungy Non-Fiction' is how he likes to describe his act. Starting out on the Liverpool scene in early 2023 playing a LEMAN event with Edgar Jones at Round the Corner, this drummer-turned-guitarist since made appearances at some of the truly iconic local venues, such as The Cavern Club, The Cavern Pub, Kazimier Stockroom, the Philharmonic Pub, Jimmy's, and has been warmly welcomed by respective audiences.
Paul has toured Germany and appeared in and around the London venues, playing with such names as Chris Barber and The Kinks bass player Jim Rodford. He has also been the front man for "John Slaughter's Blues Band" and the "CC Blues Band".
THE BLUES, DONE DIFFERENTLY
It's possible to revere the greats without just copying them. Ralph Beeby & the Elephant Collective treat the Blues and classic rock as a jumping-off point, crafting bold new songs with dark, richly storied lyrics, and tunes you'll be humming for the rest of the day. "Wild, menacing and on the edge, kind of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins singing half-remembered Appalachian murder ballads...this is a very individual take on the blues and the theme of a down-at-heel touring carnival certainly suits the music. Weird, maybe, but certainly interesting too."
-- Norman Darwen, Blues in the South
Delivering rich narratives of Blues and Roots music, old (some very old!) with a dash of new and original material. Relaxed, laid back performances with a little music history thrown in. Our renditions of old and new songs have been well received with warm, positive feedback from fellow musicians and audiences. A palette of genres, some old and some new some cool boogie rhythms some roots and some blues.
Richard Townend is frequently favorably compared to JJ Cale, Chris Rea and Dire Straits. His solo work encompasses an exciting array of self penned songs looped into a full band sound as he plays. “Melancholic, relaxed and enthralling: Richard Townend is a fascinating songwriter in the world of Blues." WASSER-PRAWDA.DE
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!
Ross, who was born in Scotland 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.
Saltshaker are an acoustic blues duo based in Suffolk playing raw, uptempo, blues with Adrian Day on harmonica and vocals with Andy Heasman on guitar and vocals. Playing a mix of familiar, and not so familiar, blues songs and some original material too. They did a 5 song session with the well known independent, sub-culture and roots channel Bopflix in 2023.
Four-piece blues-rock band from Kings Lynn, delivering no-frills, mean and dirty, guitar-driven blues (as well as a few drops of something slightly gentler). So buckle up boys and girls and get ready to be shaken and stirred.
Stone Pony has played at almost every DBF to date and is a long-established Norfolk Band. Andy Graham is on guitar vocals and his son Jake Graham is on drums. The trio prides itself on musicianship and a versatile jamming approach to playing.
Scottish, singer-songwriter Stoney Broke creates a dynamic, eclectic inspired musical style, with inspired lyrics, layered upon expansive guitar to create an original and unmistakable sound. Combining evocative songwriting with a live show full of loop, stomp, and swagger, multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Stoney Broke has performed at Venues, and Festivals, across the UK to critical acclaim.
Stormy-T and Bluesman’s Lane are a four piece band from Hastings. We play the more traditional Jump and Swing Blues, retro R’n’B, Classic Blues tunes from the 1930’s to the 2000’s, Covers and Original songs, and have recently released our debut originals album entitled “Drinkin’ & Swingin” We regularly play shows and festivals across the South of England.
Norwich based female vocal led, 5-piece rockin' blues band. Ricci Reeves soaring vocals are ably supported by some of Norwich's most experienced players (Terry Bunting, Andy Cooper, Malcolm Jackson and Dave Sparrow). Playing our interpretation of blues classics from the 1960s thru to the present.
Rocky Rhythm n Blues band with veteran blues performers and local artists: Christian Lovick on vocals, Glenn Medler on Drums, Richard Banks on Bass, and Nathan Codling on Guitar. Blues as blues can get.
An experienced and dynamic 5- piece Chicago Blues Band, regularly gigging Essex & Suffolk, Blues powered by shuffle & swing, an antidote to complexity, offered to the brethren of Mojo!
Known for their accomplished playing and infectious grooves, The Sam Wilkinson Band is an exciting, three-piece Blues/Funk band fronted by Sam Wilkinson on Guitar and Vocals. A highly experienced and extremely passionate Blues guitarist, Sam is proud to have supported the likes of Dr Feelgood and Joe Bonamassa and gigged across the UK since the early 2000s. Alongside their own material, the band covers a diverse range of artists including: Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Muddy Waters, The Beatles and Amy Winehouse to name just a few. If you like Blues played with passion and a funky edge, you're sure to have a good time seeing Sam's band play.
The Shunters Company is a five-piece raw urban blues band born out of the Norfolk Blues Society’s own house band. These guys have all paid their blues dues. Expect hard-hitting, high-energy driving rhythm, haunting smoke stack harp, and evocative tracks delivered with mid-Atlantic attitude...
Paul Stewart & Tim Staffell were important contributors to the original Rhythm & Blues explosion which ignited West London in the 'sixties. Contemporary with the Stones, Eric Clapton, The Yardbirds & countless other notables of the period, Stewart was lead singer and harp player with legendary R&B band 'The Others', while Staffell was lead singer and bass player in the pre-Queen power trio 'Smile' with Brian May & Roger Taylor and is featured in the movie 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. Together, with Sax/Fiddle/Flute player Charlotte Glasson (Charlotte Glasson Band, Roxy Music) and rhythm section Steve King and Paul White (Great West Groove, Ray Davies), they present an authentic selection of traditional and modern blues music with its roots firmly in those times.
Thomas Heppell is a Berkshire-based musician who performs Blues, Rock & Roll and Jazz covers, alongside his own compositions. In 2023, he sold out his debut London show at Sound Lounge Sutton. He has been nominated for 3 UK Blues Awards - Young Blues Artist, Emerging Blues Artist, and Acoustic Blues Artist 2023 (UK Blues Federation). In 2022, Thomas supported Anton du Beke, Robin Bibi, and Mike Mayfield, and performed at top blues venues in the UK
His debut EP 'Be My Home' has recently been played on Jazz FM (Blues and Boogie - David Freeman) and Blues Radio UK (Richard Dunning - Chairman of Blues UK Federation). The future is looking very bright for Thomas with several prominent blues festivals and a slot supporting Catfish coming up
The Tricks are Luke Arnold, Mark Howes, Jo Bernard & Daniel Reynolds. They play blues and R’n’B classics with free abandon, aptly described as organised chaos. The song is the roadmap and the band is the car taking detours wherever they feel like it. Hang on to your seat and join them for a ride into a blues adventure. Who knows where you might end up?
We have played over 7000 gigs based on over 30 years hard playing .... Been given the nod of approval by and shared the bill with many established and influential artistes .... Toured the UK and Europe non-stop .... Performed at countless festivals .... And these road tested veterans have only just begun! Blues rock. Strong guitar driven band.
Toby Lee is a young man not yet 20, with years of experience already behind him. Revered by international blues peers a generation older than himself, he has been exciting blues audiences at a high level since he was just nine years old. He’s proof that the future of the blues is alive and kicking
Uncalled Four are all old enough to know better, and yet young enough to play old-school Rhythm & Blues with a spring in the step and a twinkle in the eye. And that’s R&B of the broadest church with a twist of blues, a twang of country, and a trace of Americana. A couple of original tunes jostle side by side with classics from BB King, Ray Charles, Georgie Fame, Bonnie Raitt, Stephen Bruton, Ry Cooder, and many more.
Having performed at festivals and music venues on both sides of the border, by popular demand, Glasgow-based Rhythm n’ Blues outfit USED BLUES bring their brand of a good time, foot stompin’ tunes back to Dereham yet again. The name says it all ... the songs aren’t new, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing original about this band! From the 1940s tunes of Louis Jordan to the contemporary songs of Gary Clark Jr via Tom Waits, Buddy Guy et al, this band delivers!
