The UK Blues community is so special. Full of good music loving, good hearted, generous souls. Adam Norsworthy, the driving force and organiser of Milk Fest '26, knows it too. Lead guitarist and co-vocalist with The Milk Men and The Mustangs, as well as a solo artist with his own recently released acclaimed album, 'Shadow on a Hill', he isa special man. Indeed, today is the result of a year’s worth of work to organise, promote and get these Blues artists together, to also secure this superb Indigo at The O2 venue, as well as to determinedly raise money for Dementia UK.

Who doesn’t know someone or a loved one who has not been affected by this ravishing, neurological condition which destroys personalities and fractures families? So right from the off, artists and others, including myself, stepped up to buy a ticket, give of their time, as well as their music, love and soul, to come to this special one day festival.

For me personally, photography and reviewing is my give back to Adam, as have all of the artists who donated their time and care, not forgetting also today's MC Stein from the Upton Blues Festival, the brilliant sound and lighting team, as and of course the Dementia UK team, including Admiral Nurse Lynda McNab, who delivered a powerful appeal speech explaining the front line work that this amazing charity does when people call, duly urging those attending to buy t-shirts and raffle tickets for tonight's signed guitar prize!

And above all respect to Adam. This was the second Milk Fest he'd organised and if there is a third (hopefully), then please support it! Today, both the audience and bands from right across the UK duly paid their respects, as well as having a great time, enjoying the multi-talented line up of so many artists. And of course the location of the O2 itself is great for food venues nearby, particularly for musos when they needed to eat, as this was going to be a long, soul satisfying, sociable, musical festival day for such a worthy cause. In fact, to be precise, it lasted from 2pm to 10pm, but what a lineup, with an atmosphere that was warm and appreciative.

First up was The Milk Men with Norsworthy himself on lead guitar, along with Lloyd Green on assured bass, the stylish besuited drummer Mike Roberts, plus the strutting pink jacketed, handsome Rock peacock, Jamie Smy, delivering some trademark powerful vocals. Indeed, if you want to go see a fun band that will really Rock your mojo, then The Milk Men are for you, with their good time Blues, Rock and Soul sound. Later in their set, joining them on stage having a Rock guitar blast with the band was Thomas Heppell, as well as guest harmonica player Thomas Carter, as this festival opener well and truly set a sparkling tone for the rest of a fun-filled day.

Next up was Oli Mississippi MacDonald with his band. Indeed, MacDonald not only brought the Mississippi Delta Blues to the stage, but he also managed to wrap it around the audience with an awesome assured sound and soul. Errol Linton followed, mixing his great Blues sound with Reggae, harmonica, Roots and style. I loved watching Errol and his talented band play, from the Jazz double bassist to his lead guitarist, who moved around the stage. Indeed, good natured Linton and his band loved their time at Milk Fest and the audience duly loved them back.

Duo Robbie McIntosh and Steve Wilson then provided a lower paced, acoustic Blues set. Indeed, McIntosh has been Paul McCartney’s session player since 1988 and band member since 1994, no less! Robbie has also performed as a slide Blues man with John Mayer, hence the traditionalists present loving this more chilled set fayre!

The Queen of the UK and R&B genre, as well as 2024 and 2025 UK Blues Awards Contemporary Blues Artist of the Year, Alice Armstrong and her band were next to grace the Milkfest stage. Indeed, Alice not only also won the 2024 UK Blues Challenge, but I was also fortunate enough to witness her win the 2025 European Blues Challenge in Split, Croatia! Armstrong has also been nominated for the Jazz FM Awards 2026 Blues Act of the Year and I do hope that she wins - which she should - she so deserves it!

Armstrong’s fresh contemporary approach, connects with her audience and community, and this evening was no exception, as her set triumphed yet again. Indeed, her band are all so likeable, full of such talented musicians, namely Olly Knight-Smith on guitar, Joshua Rigal on assured bass, as well as two 2026 UK Blues Award instrumentalist of the year nominees, Greg Coulson on keys, plus powerhouse drummer Kevin Hickman.

Alice was later joined on stage by the highly acclaimed, multi-award winning British Blues Roots and Americana singer, songwriter Elles Bailey, Another Blues Queen in her own right, given her recent hat-trick of awards at the 2025 UK Blues Awards for Vocalist of The Year, Album of the Year and Broadcaster of the Year, it was wonderful to see both Bailey and Armstrong sing and so enjoy their time together on stage, which was super special and superb!

Brave Rival were next on stage and smashed it with their set. Vocalist Lindsay Bonnick was flame haired and fabulous, complemented by Ed “The Shred” Clarke, who knew his stances, moves and guitar, while the engine room of bassist Billy Dedman and drummer Donna Peters was simply awesome! All in all an outstanding set from these 2025 UK Blues Awards winners - a collective powerhouse of a band.

I also so enjoyed the long established Climax Blues Band as they delivered a slick, smooth sounding Jazz, Soul and Blues infused set. Along with his fellow musicians Dan Machin on guitar, George Glover on keyboards, Chris Aldridge on sax, Neil Simpson on bass and Roy Adams on drums, vocalist and trumpeter Scott Ralph was indeed a great front man.

With the Thames adorned on his painted guitar, Squeeze legend Chris Difford closed a magnificent Milk Fest '26, with his banter full of bio and humour. Such an entertaining set, I loved this South-East Londoner and his slick co-musicians.

Review and Photos: Denise Lester