Gloucester Rhythm and Blues Festival

28 July to 5 August – There will be nothing but smiles in the city as the annual Gloucester International Rhythm and Blues Festival takes over.

For the seventh year in a row, more than 40 acts from around the world are set to entertain and astound music lovers from across the city, as the nine-day Gloucester International Rhythm and Blues Festival gets under way.

With a packed schedule of premier live music spread-out across Gloucester’s public spaces, pubs and gig venues, the only problem you’ll find is fitting in all of the top performances planned for this year’s festival.

Please check with the event organisers to confirm whether events have been cancelled, before making a special journey to any of the events listed, as many have been cancelled due to flooding.

Monday 30 July 2007

Keith Thompson and Patsy Gamble are back at the festival again this year with their unique combination of guitar and saxophone with original songs, from 8.30pm at the New Inn Hotel. While The Swamp Band are back by popular demand with country cum bluegrass sounds at Café Rene from 9pm.

Both of these events have been confirmed.

Tuesday 31 July 2007

Memphis in the Meantime will be bringing their blues, rockabilly, southern soul and rock ‘n’ roll sounds to Café Rene's stage from 9pm.

This event has been confirmed.

Wednesday 1 August 2007

Molly Brown and Kelly Elliott’s mixture of blues, jazz and rock and roll will be bringing down Café Rene's house from 8.30pm. Popular local duo Cool Hand will also be adding a touch of class to Pig Inn the City from 8.30pm. Howard Smith and The Razors will be injecting an energetic performance from 9pm at The Windmill, while on the edge of Gloucester Docks the Tall Ship will be welcoming Bridget and The Big Girls Blues nostalgic sounds of the 1920s and 1930s. The Worried Men meanwhile will be bringing their hard hitting blues rock at Deans Walk Inn from 9pm.

All of these events have been confirmed.

Thursday 2 August 2007

Giles Hedley will be bringing his trademark simultaneous nose-and-mouth harmonica playing to the Dick Whittington, while his band, The Aviators, add guitar-based blues from 9pm. On the other side of the town centre Innes Sibun Band will be bringing top-class rock to the New Inn Hotel, also from 9pm. If you missed them the day before Bridget and The Big Girls Blues will be playing at the intimate Poets Wine Bar from 9pm, while the Guy Tortora Band offer a subtle blend of roots and blues at festival favourite Café Rene from 9pm.

All of these events have been confirmed.

Friday 3 August 2007

One of the major highlights of this year’s Gloucester International Rhythm and Blues Festival is the Guildhall’s ‘American Blues Harmonica Masters’ concert, featuring three talented harmonica players from the US – Johnny Mars, Dennis Gruenling and Russ Green – with the eight-piece Michael Roach Band. While tickets cost £12.50, this promises to be an unforgettable evening with entertainment from some of the world’s most talented musicians. The doors open at 8pm, but you should book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

This event is still unconfirmed, please contact the organisers before making your way to the venue.

Elsewhere in the city, Martin will be entertaining revellers with his Latin blues at Poets Wine Bar from 8.30pm, Gloucester-based jazz duo Steve Browning and Wayne Elliott will be singing the blues at Pig Inn the City from 9pm, while live music can again be enjoyed at Café Rene from 9pm.

These events are confirmed.

Saturday 4 August 2007

An alfresco afternoon of live music will be welcomed to Greyfriars from 1pm to 6.30pm on Saturday, offering the perfect excuse for a family picnic with fantastic, free music for entertainment – with fingers crossed for sunshine. Mike Sanchez and The Portions will be getting the party started with their energetic rock and roll, boogie-woogie set, while strangely-named Spank the Monkey return with their harmonica and guitar led blues. Rick Payne’s authentic acoustic set spans delta blues, piedmont, ragtime and slide, while a whole host of other bands are lined-up to take to the spotlight.

This event is yet to be confirmed by organisers.

Elsewhere in Gloucester, Paul Cowley and The TTs will be playing acoustic originals and popular covers from 2-4pm at National Waterways Museum, while Steve Kent will be setting the Conservative Club alight from 1pm. Gloucestershire blues duo the Ragtime Blues Orchestra will be playing ragtime at the Conservative Club from 8pm. Gloucester based ‘blues with a difference’ outfit The Suspects will be at Pig Inn the City from 9pm.

These events are confirmed.

Sunday 5 August 2007

For the last day of the Gloucester International Rhythm and Blues Festival Greyfriars will once again be hosting an afternoon of free live entertainment for all ages from 1-6.30pm. Firm festival favourites The Animals will be headlining with a lively set including all of their 1960s classic hits, plus some new tracks from their latest album. The Dirty Robbers will be once again wowing the crowds, plus one of the leading country blues players Perry Foster will be performing, as well as many, many more musical treats.

This event is yet to be confirmed by organisers.

As well as performing at Greyfriars during the day, Tom McNair will also be heading-up the finale with a bunch of his talented friends at Café Rene from 8pm, while Bridget and the Big Girls Blues will be playing at Pig Inn the City from 7pm for a final send-off to what will surely be another sure fire hit for music fans of all ages.

This event is confirmed.

Event: Gloucester International Rhythm and Blues Festival
Venue: Numerous locations across Gloucester city centre
Date: Saturday 28 July to Sunday 5 August 2007
Tickets: Nearly all events are free and do not require tickets. See details for individual events above or for further information phone (01452) 412828.

Michelle Byrne
30 July 2007