You have to hand it to Steve Stanley and Richard Saville at Solid Entertainments. They do know how to deliver a gig lineup with artists at the very top of their game. Such a great triple bill, all of which were headliners, eagerly anticipated by an appreciative crowd.

First up was 2025 UK Blues Acoustic Award winner Oli Mississippi MacDonald, coinciding with the launch of his new album ‘Slim Pickin’, which this ten-track offering is anything but, comprising rich heartfelt acoustic old-style Blues transposed into the 21st Century with such soul. MacDonald was masterful, and there’s more than a touch of the texture and tone of Tom Jones running through Mississippi’s vocals. His set was also full of intelligent choices, lyrics and superb acoustic guitar, complemented by Brent Cundall from Nashville. MacDonald so feels the Blues, which made for an impressive musical pairing, as Cundall skilfully underplayed in order that Mississippi could rightfully shine on guitar and vocals.

The set opener, ‘Strange Things Happening Every Day’ by the late great Sister Rosetta Tharpe, was upbeat and catchy, and indeed I wasn’t the only one swaying to this song. Next up was ‘My Bad Attitude’, searing in masculine self -awareness, as were the next two tracks, ‘I’m Sorry’ and 'Goin’ Down Slow’. Showcasing both her great 60’s white sequinned micro mini dress look, as well as her vocal vibe, RaRa, also with her new album to promote, joined MacDonald on stage. Kicking off with ‘Love Look After Me’, this was followed by the Al Green classic, ‘Let’s Stay Together’, sung with expressive gusto by RaRa, that well and truly scored with the crowd. Introducing the next song as written for he ex-fiancé, the absolutely beautiful ‘Unbreakable’, saw RaRa give a poignant performance, reinforcing her undoubted vibrancy. MacDonald then closed out this super set with the title track from his new album, and I will certainly be back for more of the same another time.

Up next was Emma Wilson, the blonde Blues diva with her so rich voice. Emma is a masterful singer and a fine female exponent of the Blues. With a US following too, Emma was also here to promote her latest album, ‘A Spoonful of Willie Dixon’. This album is well worth acquiring. Indeed, I absolutely loved the raw deep minor keyed guitar arrangement running through ‘Spoonful’, that’s still running around my head, as well as Wilson’s version of ‘I Want To Be Loved’. Emma has taken that version, also sung by Mud Morganfield and deservedly made it her fem-centric own.

Continuing with the catchy ‘Wang Dang Doodle’ and ‘Good To The Last Drop’, respected London harmonica player John Habes then joined Wilson and her accomplished band on ‘Hoochie Coochie Mama’, which they so visibly both enjoyed. An outstanding singer, with her band comprising Bennett Wilson (keys/backing vocals), Ian Leese (bass), Nik Svarc (guitar) and Paul Gordon White (drums), vocally Emma is up there with any US female Blues artists. A superb set, well appreciated by the packed crowd, I’ll be back for more of Emma’s brand of Blues!

To round off an a brilliant evening, headliner Thomas Heppell and his band duly delivered a blistering set, combining raw Rock plus raw Old School Blues with a Rock twist. Indeed, Heppell’s Rock guitar fluency, confidence and attitude has evolved and grown so much over the last couple of years, hence his undoubted stature now in the UK Blues scene, given he was a finalist in the 2025 UK Blues Awards.

Such a joy to watch, I also loved his great energetic bassist Adam Pyke and Mitchell Weaving on drums, who were each having a blast playing with such gusto, obviously enjoying themselves. And the strutting Thomas so obviously enjoys playing with them too, later jumping off the stage into the audience, followed closely by Adam and Mitchell, as Heppell and Pyke then played seated on the stage edge to an amused and entertained crowd!

As for their set, they opened with their great new song, ‘Stay Out of My Way’, which was followed by ‘Victim of Circumstances’. There was also a classic cover of BB King’s ‘Done Lost Your Good Thing Now’ as well as ‘Bossman’, which I loved. Emma on vocals, McDonald on guitar and Neil Packman on harmonica, then joined Thomas’ band for s storming jam and cover of ‘Route 66’, before Heppell closed out with ‘Terraplane Blues’ and ‘Underdog’. All in all, sheer solid entertainment, a superb evening and a super satisfied audience!

Review and photos: Denise Lester