Martin McNeill is a guitarist and singer playing traditional blues with soul.

He has received high praise for his live performances, recordings and online livestreams. Radio presenter and music promoter Stephen Foster calls him “one of the country’s finest bottleneck blues guitarists.”

Dave Ferra is a dynamic blues musician from Dover, United Kingdom, with a focus on modern blues. He has made a name for himself in the blues music world with his soulful vocals and skillful guitar playing. He creates a compelling and dynamic sound by infusing his music with a modern edge, drawing inspiration from the rich musical traditions of the United Kingdom. He is joined by his All Star Band

Roy Mette plays guitar and sings - he plays good guitar and sings well.

He plays solo, in a duo, with a three piece blues/rock band, with a Pirate related ensemble and anyone else that'll have him.

You may have seen Roy in pubs and clubs and festivals throughout the UK and mainland Europe - he gets about a bit!

Roy has released 18 albums to date and writes new material constantly

The Dirt Road Band are Steve Walwyn, guitar and vocals, Horace Panter, bass, and Ted Duggan, drums. They play hard, punchy blues-rock music that makes your heart beat faster.

Let’s dig deeper…

Walwyn has played guitar for a living for the past 45 years, 32 of those as a member of Dr Feelgood. Panter was a founding member of The Specials. He’s been doing this a while too, as has Duggan who has enjoyed spells with Banco de Gaia and more recently, Badfinger. Three highly proficient and time-served players doing what they do best. 

DRB started as a side project some 5 years ago and has now taken centre stage. Their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Righteous’ was released in July 2024. 

The creative process coming naturally with these players feeding off one another. 

You can see it in their live performance too

Blues at Barleylands are marking International Women’s Day by bringing together 2 of the UK’s best.

Starting off with the Demi Marriner Band nominee 2025 UK Blues Awards followed by our headline act the Alice Armstrong Band who will then perform on our little stage.

The Heaters, are the former resident band and hosts at the very successful New Crawdaddy Blues Club. They ran the club for 20 years in the Essex area and played support each week to some of the leading blues bands on the International circuit.

A powerful and raunchy Rhythm & Blues 5-piece, Chris Lord & her Blues Express produce classic blues with a hint of jazz, a touch of “sauce” and lots of nostalgia.

Paul Cox sings Soul and Blues like no other. His power and charisma have seen him perform with some of the best talent in the world. THE PROOF features Paul and Roger Cotton, Peter Stroud, Nigel Hardy and Mike Summerland. With Paul’s voice and the band’s outstanding musicianship, THE PROOF are already burning up stages across the UK and beyond.

Crosstown Revival are a 5-piece blues, rock and soul band with vocals, keys, guitar, drums, bass bringing years of experience playing venues of all sizes.

They play music from : The Allman Brothers, Joe Cocker, Stevie Wonder, Booker T and the MGs, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Tom Petty, Deep Purple, Bob Seger plus many more...

Hailing from the south coast, Harry Caiger is an up and coming guitar slinger and artist on the UK's blues scene. Drawing influence from legendary bands and artists that paved the way in sculpting the American art form known as the blues, Harry's authentic meets modern approach to this much loved genre is something that fan's up and down the country are diggin'. Backed by a great rhythm section, Harry weaves in and out of traditional blues, Chicago blues, rhythm n' blues and jump blues which will keep your feet tapping

The Long Run is a four piece RnB folk rock band from Canvey Island. Formed in 2005, the band played their first gig the day after their first ever rehearsal. Since then, the band has continued to play gigs all over the country, including venues in Liverpool, Newcastle, Southend on sea , Brighton and all over London. The band plays a strong mix of rock , RnB, Blues, Folk and indie music that draws from a diverse number of artist.

Hard as it is to believe but Errol Linton has been playing the Brixton blues for near thirty years. Initially a busker on London streets and metro, Errol was noticed early on by John Walters – John Peel’s celebrated producer – who would film Errol in 1990 for a BBC documentary (its on Youtube). But even during that era of mega-CD sales no record label dared take a chance on the Lambeth youth who sounded like no one else. Still, those listening to contemporary blues paid attention: I first encountered Errol at The Station Tavern in Ladbroke Grove in 1996. He was leading a ragged ensemble of musicians and, with nonchalant ease, they tore the roof off what was then London’s foremost blues pub. No one from that evening’s performance remains in Linton’s current band – truth be told, they weren’t of the calibre of today’s lineup – but in that packed, smokey pub I witnessed the future of British blues.

Authentic, raw Rhythm & Blues from the East Anglian Delta played with feel, energy and humour. Blues Situation cuts across a host of blues styles with strong song writing; sharp lyrics; exciting guitar work; gritty Chicago style harmonica and a rhythm section that really grooves.

Joyous Blues, Jazz & Swing - perfect for all speakeasies, pubs, clubs, restaurants and bars!

Who are The 251s?

The 251s are a South Essex-based, five-piece band, who bring together a collective love of blues, jazz and swing - and everything in between.

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The band draw on their sound experience of knowing what it takes to entertain, engage and excite. and with over 40 years of avid playing, watching and listening experience, they believe in delivering a memorable and fun experience to venues, promotors and their audiences, with their eclectic mix of Blues, Jazz and Swing favourites.

Originally formed in 1986, by Val Cowell (lead vocals & rhythm guitar), and Richard Hayes (lead & slide Guitar), the band has seen many line ups in the years since. Whilst Val and Richard have been the consistent driving force, the rhythm section has seen some changes. Ever since the beginning the band has toured constantly, playing in a wide variety of venues, including the now legendary Marquee Club (both Wardour St and Charing Cross Rd) on a great many occasions

For one last trip down the railroad we welcome the SpikedriverS

One of the most original, innovative and exciting bands around, their combination of gutsy slide guitar, rock-solid bass, infectious grooves and highly distinctive vocals, creates a sound that is uniquely their own. They take you on a journey, from southern juke-joints and lazy front porches to the huge open spaces of dust bowls and railroad tracks disappearing into the distance