Middleton Rock 'n' Blues Festival Winter Warmer

Photo: Howard Wilkinson Photography

Lol Goodman Band

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Opening up proceedings at the Middleton Rock 'n' Blues Festival Winter Warmer was Kevin Farrell, who was a hit at the inaugural event in June. Kevin has a natural wit and charm as well as being a very talented singer/songwriter/guitarist and soon had the audience warmed up with a selection of traditional blues songs and his own material.

Kevin was also acting as compere for the afternoon and he introduced the next performer, Phil Middleton who had travelled up from Northamptonshire to appear.

Phil is a very experienced singer/guitarist/songwriter who has been involved with many well-known bands as well as doing his own thing up and down the country. He entertained with a mix of covers done in his own inimitable style and some of his own songs.

Next to take the stage were three guys who you couldn’t help but recognise if you’ve lived in Middleton any length of time and attended live music events in the town - Roy Costigan, Graham Cooke and John Prendergast have many years’ experience in music both locally and with bands nationally and have come together to form Over the Hill.

Helped out on the day by Pete Jackson on drums, they dished up a selection of blues and country covers with a couple of self-penned songs to the delight of an appreciative audience. The name might be Over the Hill but the music certainly isn’t and this was there very first gig. 

Last but not least to take the stage were The Lol Goodman Band who can really rock the blues. Playing mainly original material from two critically acclaimed albums, Lol Goodman on guitar and vocals, James Horrocks, bass, Phil Barrett on keyboards and guitar and Jon Firth drums played a blistering set to finish off what was a great afternoon of live music.

Jon Firth said: “Many thanks from the organisers go out to the brave souls who turned out to Middleton Rock ‘n’ Blues Festival Winter Warmer despite absolutely atrocious weather conditions.

“Unfortunately our headline act, The Hexmen, were victims of the bad weather while travelling to the gig when they were caught up in traffic due to a fallen tree and were unable to perform.

“However, the remainder of the performers more than made up for The Hexmen’s absence by putting on a great show for the audience.”