Friday
8-10pm - THE CROWN HOTEL BAR - THE FUNKBREAKERS DUO – This slimline version of the ‘The Funkbreakers’ band features dangerous Dan Machin on guitar. The duo play a blend of cool funk and soul with a dash of modern rhythm, with Chris Dyer on Sax and Vocal duties.
Saturday
3pm – 5pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BALLROOM – THE SLIPPERY HILL BOYS – Blisteringly fast bluegrass classics coupled with laid back, traditional Americana are the hallmarks of Staffordshire based band, The Slippery Hill Boys. The band consists of four highly skilled musicians who bring a wealth of experience to the stage. Ralph’s banjo expertise rivals many of the American bluegrass players and flatpicker Andy is a fine banjo player too. The line up is completed by Tim on mandolin and Geoff on bass. Four part harmony vocals complete the package that has appeal for any age group.
3pm – 5pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BAR – BLUE CEE - Nantwich favourites, Raphael Callaghan (vocal, slide guitar, harmonica) and Christine Purnell (bass guitar) are back with their blues, boogie and gospel duo. Expect exclusive preview of songs from their forthcoming album Secrets and Lies. Don’t miss them!
6pm – 8pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BALLROOM – THE FOLKWITS – are a local folk duo, widely acclaimed in the area, featuring moving harmonies and a powerful acoustic performance. Influences are drawn from the Civil Wars, Mumford and Sons, Fairport Convention & Richard Thomson, with a sprinkling of Dolly Parton for good measure!
6pm – 8pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BAR – RAIN - an acoustic duo doing a mixture of original and cover material. An eclectic mix of folk/rock/blues and a few unusual songs too. “The idea isn’t to cover the standard cover songs, but to find songs that challenge us as musicians and that have a narrative that we can relate to the audience.”
8pm – 10pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BALLROOM - THE FIREBIRD SMITH BLUES BAND - A nine-piece outfit that synthesises modern blues, funk, soul and swing into a genre they call ‘Blacktop Blues’. Fronted by William ‘Firebird’ Smith, the band features a 3-piece horn section, two guitars, keys, bass and drums – all top musicians. The repertoire includes some original material, but mainly covers artistes such as Colin James, Lloyd Jones, Delbert McClinton andTower ofPower. It’s the kind of music that both moves your feet and soothes your soul.
9pm – 11pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BAR – SILKEN - Silvana’s enchanting soulful vocals and Ken Warrillow’s acoustic guitar combine to produce great arrangements of cool ballads and foot-tapping songs in the style of artistes ranging from Eva Cassidy to Karen Carpenter and Peggy Lee to Adele. Silvana has appeared on Channel 4 and BBC TV.
Sunday
12pm – 2pm - THE CROWN HOTEL BALLROOM - J.L.S. - A.K.A. Jim Kirkpatrick, Les Hunt & Stevie Hayes. Acoustic guitar/vocal trio. Featuring members of FM, the Climax Blues Band & Nearly Dan, playing a mixture of styles from gypsy jazz to blues and folk with three part vocal and guitar harmonies.
1pm – 3pm- THE CROWN HOTEL BAR – RUBY & THE RESONATOR – The distinctive and versatile vocals of Louise are enhanced by the accomplished playing of Chris on acoustic and resonator slide guitar. Inspiration comes from such diverse artistes as; Peggy Lee, Robert Johnson, Leroy Carr, Memphis Minnie, Imelda May, Mississippi John Hurt, Madelaine Peyroux and Howlin’ Wolf.
3pm – 5pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BALLROOM – HEAVY WEATHER - A dynamic Blues/rock outfit fronted by FM and Bernie Marsden guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick who has in the last eighteen months appeared at Download twice, toured with Journey and Foreigner and members of Deep Purple. The band which contains Climax Blues Band and Deborah Bonham members will be playing a mixture of original and cover material.
4pm – 6pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BAR - THE SPARE RIBS - Singer song writers Heidi Browne & Jack Marshall have created this genre-fusing multi instrumentalist duo. Heidi’s well established vocal styling and Jack’s exciting gypsy guitar riffs combine with rich harmonies, catchy choruses, spine tingling violin and flute. Wow!
6pm – 8pm - THE CROWN HOTEL BALLROOM – SAM WHIKEY’S POISON MEDICINE BAND - Fronted by (ex–After Hours) Carlo Brando, ‘SWPMB’ brings together an eclectic range of covers predominantly from the 70’s. Formed in 2011 and gathering followers with every appearance, what this four piece band does is bring classic music to an audience looking for something a little different.
7pm – 9pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BAR – THE HOT FOOT JAZZ DUO - are one of the UK’s most popular Jazz pairings, featuring. (Dave Hopkins Sax/Woodwind) (Ian Stopes Guitar). A brilliant Sax & Guitar Duo.
9pm – 11pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BAR – TWIN FRETS - Sample the exciting playing of Willie Fluss, North West Guitar Maestro, who originally hails from Italy. Supported by the Cool mellow Guitar & vocals of Vernon Fuller. Two guitars with vocals doesn’t sound exciting? Think again.
9pm – 11pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BALLROOM – HOT ROD 55 - Comprise Johnny Casino on lead vocal, Richie Vincent on slap bass, “The Colonel” on drums & Johnny Blue on guitar. With influences from the likes of; Gene Vincent & Jerry Lee Lewis to Brian Setzer & The Stray Cats, this powerhouse four piece whip up a storm with their dynamite delivery of some of the greatest Rock & Roll and Rockabilly numbers ever to grace the planet.
Monday
2pm – 4pm - THE CROWN HOTEL BAR - DAVID BRISTOW – plays mellow front porch blues in his own unique style. His inspiration is drawn from the storytelling bluesmen of the pre-war period, with songs portraying every facet of a life lived to the full.
3pm – 5pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BALLROOM - THE ESCAPE COMMITEE - Since its inception in 1989 the band featuring Pete [Sarge] Frampton has championed Pub- rock with an eclectic mix of songs from the 60’s and 70’s. The band plays covers which are arranged through the vehicle of the jam band ethic. There has never been a formal rehearsal and the performances of Crosby’s “Almost Cut my Hair”, Winwood’s “Can’t find my way Home” are much requested from Stafford to Preston. Since 1989 they have recorded 6 albums and the 2004 outing “Four Upstanding” is available on i-Tunes.
4pm – 6pm - THE CROWN HOTEL BAR - JAMES HARRISON – An entertaining treat for all you funky fans from BBH/Jim Jams frontman. Looping guitar and soulful vocals.
6pm – 8pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BAR - JAMES FARMER - performing a widely-based eclectic mixture of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, folk, pop classics and country with all the hybrids in between and interspersed with a few of his own songs of innocence and experience.
6pm – 8pm – THE CROWN HOTEL BALLROOM - MUMBO JUMBO - takes three of the Midlands most experienced blues musicians – Oliver Carpenter, Chris Lomas and Abby Brant – throws them together in a broadly acoustic format and lets them deliver what they are best at – live music performance. Blues In Britain (Bob Jones)
“The musicianship is unsurpassable and the song writing is excellent, it’ll delight existing fans and open up a new audience to the band, which it richly deserves “
8pm – 10pm – THE CROWN BALLROOM - THE BILL DAISON BAND - are a four piece Blues band, with Bill on Guitar & Vocals, George Glover - Keyboards and Vocals, Ron Rolph - Drums and Chris Bevington - Bass Guitar. The band are in their 25th Anniversary year and are looking forward to celebrating it at the Nantwich Festival. They will be joined on stage by a number of guest players, so please come along and make it a gig to remember.
