Headliners
The Roy Mette Band
Roy may be familiar to you from his solo club and festival bookings or, as in the case of the Upton Blues Festival, from appearances with his three piece band, The Roy Mette Band; a blues/rock power trio in true British fashion with more than a nod and a wink to his hero, Rory Gallagher.
With uncompromising lead guitar, a powerful and soulful voice Roy has ten albums to his credit so far the latest of which is the live band album, Three & Five Live.
The band is based in Southend on Sea, Essex but can be seen around the UK and Europe in clubs or festivals near and far.
Live music as it should be – Live!
Influences are too many to mention other than Rory Gallagher, Cream era Clapton and just about anybody who plays guitar well!
Wang Dang Delta
Wang Dang Delta are a 6-piece blues and beyond band from Perthshire described by award-winning magazine Blues Matters as “one of the more original bands on the UK scene”. Expect a set which pushes at the boundaries of blues music – mostly self-penned but with a number of classic blues and boogie tunes being given the Wang Dang stamp.
Wang Dang Delta have built up a healthy following the length and breadth of Scotland through appearances at festivals such as Stirling’s Wallace Harley Rally, Stirling Scribbler’s Picnic, Glenelg Drams in The Field Festival, Gairloch Tradfest, Perthshire Amber Festival, Music Across Perthshire “Summer Music Sunday”, the Dreich End Festival, Fifestock, Rampant Lion Rally and the massive Thunder in the Glens Festival in Aviemore. The band have played at each of the last seven Dundee Blues Bonanzas.
John Alexander
Glasgow songwriter John Alexander started out as a classical guitarist before his love of blues and country music got the better of him. Alexander’s musical journey has seen him disappearing for several years from the Northern Hemisphere to the sunnier climate of New Zealand. Basing himself in Christchurch in the South Island John followed various musical pursuits in the local music scene. These circles lead to John gaining vast live experience where he performed at what seemed like every bar, barn and outhouse in The South Island. After recording his debut Album ‘Waiting for Now’ in 2004 with local artists, John upped roots and returned to his hometown of Glasgow.
Naomi Mather
You probably think that the Guitar playing, Foot stomping, Hollering blues ladies only exist in black and white, but there is one left! Naomi Mather is a female singer/songwriter with a difference, her love and passion for delta blues. With her individual yet true to the roots guitar style and her gritty and sometimes English vocal approach she’s what you’d expect in a blues lady! Her song writing displays sympathy to the traditional whilst is innovative and gives the time loved genre a twist of modernity and a hint of folk. Her guitar style has been described by veterans of the blues as beyond her years and her use of the guitar for its percussive qualities and her left foot beating on her home-made stomp box keeps audience’s feet tapping. Her lyrics reveal much about herself and her life and she tells these honest stories of men, friends and spirituality with rye humour making audiences smile with comprehension. For the past few years Naomi has been developing a devoted fan base in Liverpool and throughout the blues circuit in the UK and is quickly attracting the attention of critics, promoters and music lovers alike.