You might think its very early in the year to be drawing your attention to a festival in November, however I think the Carlisle Blues Festival which takes place the weekend of 21st to 23rd November at the Swallow Hilltop Hotel will be of interest. The venue holds about 400 and will feature acts such as Sherman Robertson, Nine Below Zero, Ian Siegal, Rab McCullough, Jon Amor, Matt Schofield, Nicky Moore’s Blues Corporation etc.
Of most interest to Aynsley fans will be the Sunday programme, which features an acoustic set by Ian Siegal (who plays with his band on the Saturday), followed by the Aynsley Lister Band and then the festival is closed by the Matt Schofield Trio.
As we know Aynsley does not play as many gigs in the north of the country as we (and he) would like, so this festival is a good chance for anyone from Cumbria, the north east, south and central Scotland to catch up with the band in an intimate session and catch two quality British blues guys on the same date.

Tickets available now from http://www.carlislebluesfestival.com. I post this now as the single tickets for the Saturday session (featuring Sherman Robertson) have already sold out.  Sunday tickets and full weekend tickets I believe are still available.

So the Carlisle festival is almost upon us. So who’s going? Anyone want to meet up?

The lineup is:

Friday Saturday Sunday
Sean Webster Guy Torora* Ian Siegal (solo)
Kyla Brox* The Two Timers* Aynsley Lister
Rab McCulloch* Nicky Moore’s Blues Corporation* Matt Schofield Trio
Nine Below Zero Jon Amor
Olly Alcock Band feat. Roz Sluman*
Ian Siegal Band
Sherman Robertson

I know of quite a few of these artists and looking forward to hearing many of them for the first time. The ones marked with * are the ones I do not know much about.

If anyone has any information on them, I’m keen to know more

I think you’ll like Two Timers, Duncan.  Think skiffle, think stripped-back.  I believe the guitarist (god forgive me, I can’t recall their names) was a founder member of Dr Feelgood - back when they were good.  The lady percussionist/singer is very petite and bubbly and cute and my husband took a massive shine to her!  He kept telling me how easy it would be to put her in his pocket and take her home and I half expected him to try it at the end LOL.  They’re quirky and fun, something different and less in-your-face.

Looks like a great line-up - have fun guys - Nicky Moore plays down here in South London - I think he used to be in a rock group called Hackensack in the 70’s, but I could be wrong - I only saw his Blues Corp. the once, playing in a local pub in Forest Hill which used to have a blues night every thursday - now closed down and about to be converted into a block of flats!!

I read on myspace today that Alan Nimmo will be there, as a punter I presume!

What the heck is a punter? Is it a patron or paying spectator?

IndyScott - 20 November 2008 10:16 PM

What the heck is a punter? Is it a patron or paying spectator?

A paying spectator, sorry for the lingo!