The Atkinson is very proud of the line up to its 2015 Big Blues Festival and it seems so are the music fans!
Tickets are selling fast as people look forward to well known names such as Chantel McGregor, The Nimmo Brothers, the Marcus Malone Band and North West favourites The Stumble playing alongside rising stars Tipitina and David Migden & The Twisted Roots, for a real eclectic mix of great music. There is Chicago style rhythm & blues, gospel, rock and roots to the experimental across the 2 day event.
The Festival runs from Friday 9 – Saturday 10 October 2015 and promises to be a weekend to remember. The line-up is big and bold and presents music that is desperate to be heard! Join us for a weekend of great music, great food, great ale and great fun at our first Big Blues Festival, as we celebrate what rock, rhythm and blues has to offer!
On Friday 9 October, The Nimmo Brothers make their way to Southport from Glasgow to launch the weekend. They are the most respected exponents of modern blues the UK has seen since the blues boom of the 1960s.
They have performed together for seventeen years, with five successful CD releases behind them. Now they are going back to their roots with their latest CD, Brother to Brother. Arguably they have written their best songs to date, influenced by “everything we’ve ever listened to over the past 20 years”.
Tipitina (1pm) on Saturday 10 October deliver their own unique take on the blues, barrelhouse, boogie and gospel of New Orleans, in the footsteps of Professor Longhair,Dr. John, James Booker, Fats Domino and Allen Toussaint.
David Migden & The Twisted Roots (2.45pm) are a really exciting electric five piece, performing unique original material in a genre-busting crossover of rock, blues and twisted American roots. The band’s reputation has been growing with radio play across the UK, Europe and the US.
They recently won the prestigious New Brunswick ‘Battle of the Blues’ and appeared at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Canada in Sept 2013. David Migden has also been nominated in the British Blues Awards for best singer and best original song ‘Shel’.
It wouldn’t be right to have a festival without inviting The Stumble! The powerful six piece band based in and around Preston in the North-West offer classic valve driven back line driven with shuffle and roll.
Their music is heavily based on the rapturous electric blues guitar sound that emanated from Chicago in the ’50s and ’60s. Influences range from B.B. King, Freddy King, Muddy Waters, Maceo Parker, Peter Green, Booker T, King Curtis etc. Basically, if music has that screwed down ambient live feel expressed by some of these guys, then it’ll be on the playlist. (4.30pm)
Detroit born Marcus Malone (7pm) played the Southport Arts Centre many years ago and now returns to the venue in its new form as The Atkinson. Since his last visit he has been making quite an impact on the European concert and festival circuit.
He has released six albums, the last being a real gem of the highest order. It boasts some compelling original material delivered by a finely honed band steeped in the spirit of blues. The album was nominated for Best Recorded Session 2014 by European Blues Awards.
Imagine the tone of Robin Trower, the inspiration of Hendrix, the influence of Stevie Ray Vaughan, the energy of Bonamassa, the intensity of Walter Trout and the haunting vocal of Stevie Nicks all rolled into one…….. Then let me introduce Chantel McGregor (8.45pm), one of the most exciting rock and blues musicians that the UK has ever produced and our headliner for this year’s Big Blues Festival.
She has won and been nominated for a number of awards including “Young Artist of the Year” and “Best Female Vocalist”, “Guitarist Of The Year” and “Best Female Vocalist”, at the British Blues Awards . She has gone on to develop a career in the UK and international blues music scene, performing solo and with her band.
Better be quick as the festival tickets are selling fast and looks like it could be a sell out in advance! Big Blues Festival festival tickets are available for just £36 and are available online at theatkinson.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01704 533333. They are also available over the counter during The Atkinson opening hours.
*Please be advised that there is a £2.50 booking fee for telephone and online sales. From 1 September the booking fee will change to £1 for all sales.
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Further Information:
For interviews, or more information please contact Emma.Lloyd@sefton.gov.uk or call 0151 934 2128
LISTING INFORMATION
Friday 9 October
8pm: The Nimmo Brothers
Saturday 10 October
12pm: Bar Opens
1pm: Tipitina
2.45pm: David Migden & The Twisted Roots
4.30pm: The Stumble
7pm: Marcus Malone Band
8.45pm: Chantel McGregor
*Please be advised that there is a £2.50 booking fee for telephone and online sales. From 1 September the booking fee will change to £1 for all sales
The Atkinson
Lord Street
Southport
Merseyside
PR8 1DB
HOW TO BOOK
In person: Visit The Atkinson box office on Lord Street
For tickets: visit the website theatkinson.co.uk or call box office on 01704 533333
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About The Atkinson
The Atkinson is Southport’s beautiful new home for music, theatre, art, poetry, literature and history, right in the middle of Lord Street in Southport. Significant investment has been made in refurbishing the stunning 19th century buildings, to create a really welcoming multi art-form venue with a strong contemporary feel.
The Atkinson offers an exciting and varied destination for families, cultural tourists and arts enthusiasts alike, with a full day and night time offer. Wile the day away visiting the new shop, that sells gifts and contemporary crafts from regional makers and then relax in the Bakery, choosing from a selection of artisan bread sandwiches, cakes and sharing platters. You can even take little bit of The Atkinson home with you from the delicatessen. Wonder through the major exhibitions and see performances from some of the UK’s foremost musicians, actors, performers and companies, films, family activities and much more.
Posted on 5 August 2015 under General news
