COLNE BLUES SOCIETY
Colne Blues Society
2,733
Colne Blues Society is the Artistic Director of the Great British R & B Festival. We are a not-for-profit organisation committed to securing the future of ‘Colne Blues’ and making it the biggest self-funding community-based music festival in Europe.
GETTING TO KNOW OUR ARTISTS… The James Oliver Band. feat Norman Watt-Roy! 💥![]()
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📍 Pendle Hippodrome![]()
🗓️ Friday 22nd August![]()
⏰ 19:45 – 20:45![]()
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The pairing up of the irrepressible guitar talent of Wales’s very own James Oliver and the bass legend that is Norman Watt-Roy (Ian Dury and the Blockheads/Wilko Johnson et al). James and Norman alongside drummer, Mark Kemlo, will be fully unleashed to tour across the UK and beyond in 2025.![]()
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James Oliver – Guitar and Vocals![]()
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James Oliver is one of the UK’s busiest acts playing over 300 gigs a year all over the UK, Europe, and the USA!![]()
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He has performed over 3000 gigs and shared the stage with many acts including Albert Lee, Bill Kirchen, Deke Leonard, Greg Koch, Walter Trout, Steve Gibbons, Billy Bremner, Geraint Watkins, and many others. In 2020 James won the UK Blues Awards Emerging Artist of the Year and has since been nominated three additional times. James Oliver released two studio albums, three live albums and his album Twang was #1 on Amazon Blues Charts for three weeks. James is currently working on a new record with legendary producer, John Leckie. James’ YouTube channel has over 20,000 subscribers with over 10 million views.![]()
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Norman Watt-Roy – Bass![]()
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Norman kept busy with session work throughout the ’70s and appeared on such albums as Rachel Sweet’s Fool Around and Nick Lowe’s Jesus of Cool, and Jona Lewie’s number one single “You’ll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties.” He and his brother, along with Turnbull, later joined up with Mick Gallagher (guitar) and Charlie Charles (drums), working under the name Loving Awareness – that outfit, in turn, was engaged for a session with Chaz Jankel and Ian Dury which led to their work on Dury’s New Boots and Panties!! LP, and eventually became the Blockheads, Dury’s band.![]()
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They hit the top of the charts in 1979 with “Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick.” Norman Watt-Roy was now one of the most visible bassists working in England. His time with the Blockheads allowed him to cross paths with Dr. Feelgood’s Wilko Johnson, which led to his joining Johnson’s own group in the mid-’80s. In between, he played with the Selecter on Celebrate the Bullet and the Clash on Sandinista!, with Wreckless Eric’s Captains of Industry, and he played the original bass part on Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s single “Relax.” During the 21st century, he has kept busy working with Nick Cave, in addition to his continued performances with Johnson.![]()
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Mark Kemlo – Drums![]()
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Mark Kemlo has been drumming for 40 years mainly in the Rock ‘n’ Roll / Rockabilly / Rhythm & Blues & Country music scenes including for the award-winning Welsh Rockabilly / Western swing band The Rimshots. He has toured extensively in the UK, USA, Europe and Scandinavia and has had the pleasure of playing drums for many artists within the Rock ‘n’ Roll / Rockabilly genres such as: Narvel Felts, Wanda Jackson, Charlie Gracie, Merril E Moore. Mark became part of The James Oliver Band towards the later part of 2022.![]()
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Get your tickets here ⬇️![]()
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www.bluesfestival.co.uk/tickets/![]()
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Colne Blues Society Colne Blues Club Lancashire Blues Archive
GETTING TO KNOW OUR ARTISTS… Ashley Sherlock! 💥![]()
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📍 The Little Theatre![]()
🗓️ Sunday 24th August![]()
⏰ 14:15 – 15:15![]()
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Ashley Sherlock is a Manchester-based singer/songwriter citing his inspirations as Jeff Buckley, The Marcus King Band, The Cadillac Three, Gary Clark Jr and Chris Stapleton. ![]()
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Working alongside producer Kenneth Nixon (of Framing Hanley fame) Ashley’s material, recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, presents a modern outlook on the sound of the deep south; combined with his fantastic vocal range and song writing style.![]()
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After several years, and hundreds of gigs performed as a solo artist, Ashley Sherlock formed a blues rock trio. A fantastic blend of gritty blues, falsetto vocal melodies and a dynamic rhythm section creates a unique sound. ![]()
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Since then, the band have received nominations for the UK Blues Awards, toured with international artists and have been featured on popular radio stations.![]()
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Ashley will perform both solo and with his band at the 2025 Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival on Sunday 24th August.![]()
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Get your tickets here ⬇️![]()
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www.bluesfestival.co.uk/tickets/![]()
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Colne Blues Society Colne Blues Club Lancashire Blues Archive
How has it already been a week since we brought you the 2025 Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival line-up… 👀🤩![]()
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Who are you looking forward to seeing? 🤔![]()
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Not got your tickets yet? We heard they are a very popular Father's Day present… ⬇️![]()
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www.bluesfestival.co.uk/tickets/![]()
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Colne Blues Society Colne Blues Club Lancashire Blues Archive
Our very own Jack. One of Colne’s finest.GETTING TO KNOW OUR ARTISTS… Jack Herbert Music! 💥![]()
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📍 Little Theatre![]()
🗓️ Saturday 23rd August![]()
⏰ 12:30 – 13:30![]()
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Jack Herbert returns to Colne for the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival with one of the busiest schedules of any artist on the bill — performing in five main festival acts and three fringe shows across the weekend. A skilled multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, musical director, and mentor, Jack’s presence reflects both his versatility and deep connection to the UK live music scene.![]()
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This year’s festival marks a significant homecoming. Over the past year, Jack has performed across Europe and at major UK venues — including a sold-out show at Indigo at The O2 with Clearwater Creedence Revival — building a reputation as a go-to player for touring artists and a trusted MD for large-scale live acts.![]()
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At the heart of his weekend schedule is a standout appearance with this year’s headliners Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse — a genre-blurring, internationally acclaimed band known for their explosive live shows. Playing keys for such a dynamic and respected act is a major festival highlight, and a testament to Jack’s musical calibre.![]()
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Elsewhere, Jack appears on keys with Design Rewind, joins emerging talent Harris Rafferty (whom he also mentors), and brings the music of an American icon to life with The Tom Petty Preservation Society. He also takes centre stage for a rare solo set, performing material by artists who’ve shaped his musical voice — including several fellow performers on this year’s bill. Honest and understated, it’s a chance to hear the voice usually found behind the piano.![]()
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Outside the main programme, Jack appears in three fringe shows across the town — fronting Fandjango, leading the high-energy soul-pop outfit Hot Air, and playing with funk and soul outfit The Merkins.![]()
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From rising artists to international headliners, Jack’s role across the festival weekend highlights the breadth of his musicianship and the strength of his professional relationships.![]()
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Get your tickets here ⬇️![]()
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www.bluesfestival.co.uk/tickets/![]()
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Colne Blues Society Colne Blues Club Lancashire Blues Archive
Get behind our headliners, download the album and let's make history!!! When Rivers Meet Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival 2025
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How cool is this! 😎![]()
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You know what to do. Let’s get ‘em to #1 🌟💙
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You know what time it is 😎 IT'S BLUES FRINGE LINE-UP ANNOUNCEMENT TIME, BABY 🙌😁![]()
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YES, we know you're all probably a bit tender from a long weekend of partying, but FEAST YOUR EYES on what we've got in store for you on the NEXT bank holiday weekend (i.e. the BEST bank holiday weekend). ![]()
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Just shy of 100 LIVE ACTS across 14 incredible venues. Don't say we never spoil you. ![]()
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GET 👏 IT 👏 IN 👏 YOUR 👏 DIARY 🎉🎉🎉![]()
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(Likes, shares, comments and tags are also, as always, very much appreciated 🙏 Thanks, we love you 🥰)
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.