WRISTBAND GIGS AROUND THE TOWN - Monday 24th March

Saturday 22nd March
Sunday 23rd March

NANTWICH CIVIC HALL - AFRO BLUE - 12noon-2pm
(Peggy Killick Suite)
The warm, velvety vocals of Lynsey Atherton are complemented by the clear toned trumpet and flugelhorn playing of Neil Atherton and the strong rhythmic guitar and soulful vocals of Vernon Fuller. A trio with a big versatile and classy sound.

MALBANK HOTEL - PAUL COWLEY & THE TT’s - 1pm-3pm
Acoustic blues band, sympathetic to acoustic roots but with a Chicago feel. A mix of well chosen songs from the early period interspersed with Paul’s compositions together with more contemporary material. Imaginative & dynamic.

WHITE HORSE - ‘CHESH FEST’ - 1pm-3pm
This is a collaboration of music brought to you by South Cheshire College national diploma students. They will be performing a wide variety of original material coupled with an energetic live show. Musical styles vary from acoustic to hard rock.

RAILWAY HOTEL - THE WINCHESTERS - 1pm-3pm
Were formed in 1991 and for 11 years wowed audiences with their blend of Blues, Rockabilly and Western Swing, mixed with virtuoso playing and quirky stage presence. Now, back with the original classic line-up, the Crackpot Kings reign again!

BOOT & SHOE - ALKA SALSA - 1pm-3pm
Return with their hot brand of Latin Jazz. Led by percussionist Gaz Hughes and featuring some of the North West's finest talents. The band will be turning up the heat with a wide variety of Salsa, Calypso and Samba. Bring your dancing shoes, the party’s here!

VINE INN - THE SARAH BENNET DUO - 2pm-4pm
Features Sarah on vocals and Pat Sprakes on guitar for a relaxed and thoughtful afternoon set of Latin numbers, standards and more.

UNION - BLIND SUMMIT BLUES - 2pm-4pm
Deeply rooted in the '60s ‘blues boom’ and laced with some fresh contemporary influences, BSB bring you a fiery blend of R&B classics and genuine house-rocking blues. Get your dancing shoes on because you'll need them - it's party time.

NAKATCHA - THE BILL DAISON BAND - 2pm-4pm
A great return for the band after a very successful 2007 with the release of the album “Blues still Burning”. The album secured Radio airplay in the USA, UK, France, Italy, Belgium and Holland and has also been featured in Blues Revue USA with a 20,000 release in the USA planned for April 2008.

YE OLDE VAULTS - AFTER HOURS - 2pm-4pm
Have molded a great mix of blues and rock tunes with the main influence coming from the US blues scene. The recurring theme is always great riff based blues delivered to rock and boogie yer socks off. Covers of ZZ Top, Joe Bonamassa, Richie Kotzen, Storyville, Arc Angels, Doyle Bramhall, Paul Rodgers, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, and Black Crowes all sit snuggly alongside their own Texas rock blues tunes.

RED COW - SARAH MILLER & DAN MACHIN - 3pm-5pm
Their original and exciting acoustic arrangements of tracks both old and new have been delighting audiences around the local scene. They can bring a room to a standstill one minute, then shoot the place up the next. Very much in demand.

CROWN HOTEL BAR - THE ANNIE LONG TRIO - 3pm-5pm
An accomplished local trio, led by a smooth, experienced ex-London jazz singer, covering a popular choice of standards and ranging from heartfelt ballads, through latin and swing to mellow blues.

SWAN WITH TWO NECKS -
JIM KIRKPATRICK & HEAVY WEATHER - 3pm-5pm
A second showing at the festival for this exciting four piece band playing original & cover material, that is a mix of funk, blues and country rock in their own unique style.

CURSHAWS - BERNIE FAWCETT - 4pm-6pm Singer/songwriter/piano-man, zipping you along through an eclectic mix of songs from his own 2 cd’s, pop classics and some jazz standards. Jump aboard for a unique journey.

WHITE HORSE - RHYTHM ZOO - 5pm-7pm
Are a new band with traditional R&B roots. Knocking out classic blues with a modern soul slant, they really cover a lot of ground in a short time. Free Events Around the Town

RAILWAY HOTEL - PLAIN TRUTH - 5pm-7pm
Are a 3 piece rock band with a great talent for improvisation. Alec Johnson is on guitar, synth and vocals, Simon Crumley excels on all manner of bass guitars and Steve Bartley provides the power at the back with his ‘take no prisoners’ drum style. Not to be missed!

BOWLING GREEN - THE STEVE OAKES QUARTET - 6pm-8pm
The band performs an eclectic mixture of modern jazz comprising be-bop, latin jazz, funk, and contemporary takes on standards. Original compositions are interspersed with pieces by jazz icons including Pat Metheny and Courtney Pine. The solos are frequently passionate and intense, while at other times subtle and reflective.

SHAKESPEARE - WITH BOB ON OUR SIDE - 6pm-8pm
Founded in 1999 and returning to the festival for the third time, this creative six-piece band is a firmly established feature of the music scene in Cheshire. Festival goers can expect classic Dylan presented in the band's innovative style, as well as a solo acoustic set by frontman Mark Sutcliffe.

CROWN HOTEL BAR - THE SARAH BENNET TRIO - 6pm-8pm
(voice, guitar, percussion/drums) will present a relaxed set of Latin songs sung in Brazilian Portuguese, French and English and some contemporary jazz pieces with Pat Sprakes and Mitch Oldham.

NAKATCHA - FUNK SCHOOL - 6pm-8pm
Carly B's Funk School return to the festival with their usual brand of home grown funkology. The 10 piece will be featuring a brand new set incorporating some serious new grooves guaranteed to get you up and dancing. Tight, punchy brass lines permeate soaring diva