Down at Antone's, Main Stage, 3pm

Arisen from the 12 year old ashes of the well-loved UK blues band of the 1990s, Down at Antone's are back.  The original two front-men of Neil Partington and Ken Peace have returned, together with a killer new band featuring Glen Lewis (keys), Nick Lauro (drums) and Steve Brown (bass). All the old strengths are there - the powerhouse vocals and tough Texas guitar of Neil Partington plus the mile-wide, big-toned harmonica of Ken Peace.  But 12 year aged like a fine malt, the band now have other flavours to complement the tough blues for which they were famous.

Winning a highly regarded 2nd place in a national blues harmonica competition was the springboard for Ken Peace to play with an array of northwest bands before partnering with Neil Partington who is no stranger to the spotlight having played with a string of national and international musicians such as vocal diva Sam Brown, harmonica virtuoso Lee Oskar, BBC2's Jools Holland and the legend David Gilmour from Pink Floyd.

Expect a funky New Orleans gumbo of West Coast shuffles, Louisiana swamp pop, classy 60s soul jazz and tough Texas blues.

Escape Committee, Main Stage, 4.30pm

www.myspace.com/httpwwwmyspacecomtheescapecommittee

Formed in 1989, Warrington based Escape Committee have been a major player on the circuit for 19 years! The current line-up features founder members Pete [Sarge]Frampton on guitar and vocals and Steve Foster on bass and vocals with Phil Wright on Drums and vocals.

Regularly joined on stage by Keyboard players George Glover or Steve Millington, the band are inspired by the music of Eric Clapton,Neil Young and the Allman Brothers and are well known for their arrangements of carefully chosen covers and a few bluesy originals, some of which can be found on their website.

Big Blues Tribe, Main Stage, 6pm

A full nine-piece blues band in the style of BB King, Ray Charles and, more recently, Jools Holland’s R&B Orchestra, Big Blues Tribe boast a five piece brass section and four excellent voices and brings good-time, big band blues to life.

Fronted by Oliver Carpenter, one of the Midlands most experienced blues singers, the band features top musicians on every stand and are regulars on the UK festival circuit, combining musical quality with an infectious sense of fun and a 100% commitment to blues music from the first shuffle to the last jump.

The Tribe's latest album 'Warning: May Contain Blues' has just been selected by the reviewers of Blues in Britain magazine as one of its 'Picks of 2009'.

“This is a hell of a band…. certain to blow your socks off ….. one of the greatest singers we’ve produced.” - Blues in Britain magazine

More information from www.bigbluestribe.com 

The Tommy Allen Band feat. Johnny Hewitt, Main Stage, 7.30pm

www.myspace.com/thetommyallenband

Tommy Allen’s music will take you places beyond the misty crossroads of the delta and lead you right back to the true romance of British rock and roll. Usually a three piece,  we are delighted to announce that for this event , the band will be joined onstage by Johny Hewitt on harmonica who brings a real, earthy style of blues and an amzing chemistry to this hard hitting guitar fronted blues band. 

The Nimmo Brothers, Main Stage, 9.30pm

www.bluearmadillo.com

Over the past decade The Nimmo Brothers have proved themselves to be one of the most respected exponents of modern blues the UK has seen since the blues boom of the 1960’s. It is from this period, that brothers Stevie and Alan Nimmo first drew their influences, which made them the fine musicians they are today. Inspired by such greats as Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers they had no doubt that when the time came, they too would produce original compositions fuelled by that very same passion for the blues shared by their idols.

Now in 2010, The Nimmo sound is stronger and more powerful than ever. Musically stunning they never fail to impress audience after audience with their live show.

Joining Stevie and Alan are Matt Beable (Bass) and Dave Raeburn (Drums).

"Each show is like the first time, dripping with energy, commitment and fun: disappointment is not an option." Blackstairs Blues Festival