Dewsbury’s original free blues festival returns for a third outing at The West Riding
BLUESBURY the free blues festival is back on Platform 3, Dewsbury Train station. 11-13 September at West Riding Beerhousee and what a line up it is: Friday’s got Mississippi MacDonald, The Whisky Flowers, Gary Cain (Canada) Saturday is The Swan Song Project day with Burning Rope, Franny Eubank, John Montana Trio, Ben Buddy Slack and Ugly Mug Jug Band then its Sunday Blues Train with The Milk Men, John Carroll and the Huddersfield Blues Club All Stars. Years 1 and 2 were rammed. Year 3 is bluestastic! Boooom. Brought to you in association with the mighty Huddersfield Blues Club
Friday 11th September 6.00 – 10.30pm
FRIDAY’S got MISSISSIPPI MACDONALD, winner of 4 UK Blues Awards! THE WHISKY FLOWERS 2026 emerging talent winner UK Blues Awards, GARY CAIN straight outa Canada
Mississippi Macdonald
Oli “Mississippi” MacDonald (Mac) is a Soul-Blues singer/songwriter/guitarist from London, England. A three-time UK Blues Federation Acoustic Blues Act Of The Year winner, he was inducted into the UK Blues Hall Of Fame in 2026. In 2024, he also won Traditional Blues Artist Of The Year.
Since his signing to APM Records in 2021, he has appeared on BBC Radio 2’s Blues Show with Cerys Matthews, showcased on Beale Street and appeared on the legendary King Biscuit Time (Helena AK). He has recorded with established US artists Vaneese Thomas (Rufus Thomas), Benny Turner (Freddie King, Mighty Joe Young), and the Reverend Shawn Amos. Most recently, he has recorded with Hi Rhythm (Al Green, Ann Peebles, Otis Clay) in Memphis at Royal Studios, with Grammy Award winning producer Boo Mitchell.
In May 2024, Mississippi joined the Take Me To The River All Stars along with William Bell (Stax), Hi Rhythm, Jools Holland and Eric Gales both for an upcoming feature film, and headlining Red Rooster Festival. In the Summer of 2024, Mississippi headlined the Glastonbury Lovefields Stage. In 2025, he appeared at Jazzfest New Orleans with the Take Me To The River All Star Revue, with Cyril, Ian and Ivan Neville, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Lina Beach and Taj Mahal. In July this year, he’ll be part of the Take Me To The River Memphis Revue at London’s Barbican Theatre, with Hi Rhythm and Carla Thomas.
Mississippi’s debut APM release, ‘Do Right, Say Right’, was named one of Mojo Magazine’s Top 10 Blues Albums of 2022. His second album, ‘Heavy State Loving Blues’, received major international acclaim, with Blues In Britain calling him “one of the finest modern bluesmen in the U.K.”
The album topped the IBBA Blues Charts in the UK for two consecutive months and charted prominently on the RMR Global Blues Report and Living Blues Magazine charts in the US, alongside extensive airplay including Sirius XM BB King’s Bluesville.
His 2024 album ‘I Got What You Need’ reached number 1 on the RMR Global Soul Blues Chart within a week of release and became the IBBA’s #1 album of November 2024, receiving widespread international airplay including BBC Radio 2.
In April 2025, Mac launched ‘The Oli Mac Show’ on Maritime Radio presenting an hour of soul, blues and gospel each week. On July 4th, 2025, he released ‘Oli Mac Presents – Mississippi MacDonald, Slim Pickin’, which topped the RMR Global Acoustic Blues Charts, with Living Blues Magazine praising his “bone-deep feel for blues.”
In June 2026, Mac will release the first Memphis singles from the forthcoming ‘Oli Mac & Hi Rhythm’ album.
“Hell Yeah!….fabulous, very Albert King circa his Stax days and in my world, it doesnt get much better than that”, Blues Matters!
The Whisky Flowers
2026 UK Blues Award Winners (Emerging Artist of the Year)
Blending blues, Americana, folk and rock into a powerful, contemporary sound, The Whisky Flowers draw inspiration from artists such as Larkin Poe, Rory Gallagher, Fiona Apple, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Neil Young — while carving out a voice that is unmistakably their own.
Their music channels the raw roots energy of classic blues and Southern rock, the fearless individuality of alternative songwriting, and the timeless storytelling of Americana. The result is a sound that feels both familiar and fresh — authentic, gritty and emotionally resonant.
On stage, The Whisky Flowers deliver high-impact performances marked by strong musicianship, tight interplay and compelling stage presence. They connect with audiences across genres — from blues lovers and roots-rock fans to broader festival crowds.
Their growing reputation has recently been reinforced by becoming winners of the UK Blues Award for Emerging Artist of the Year 2026, highlighting their rising profile within today’s blues and roots scene.
The Whisky Flowers offer a dynamic live experience that leaves a lasting impression.
Gary Cain (Canada)
Gary Cain is coming all the way from Canada to play here.
“a stunning tour de force of musicianship”
– Blues Blast Magazine (USA)
“ridiculously talented, genre-bending guitarist…a jaw-dropper.” – Blues Matters Magazine (UK)
“a high-value player with an expansive and personal take on rock music that’s explosive both instrumentally and lyrically.” – Rock and Blues Muse
Saturday 12th September 2.00 – 10.30pm
SATURDAY is Swan Song Project (charity) day with BURNING ROPE, FRANNY EUBANK, JOHN MONTANA TRIO, BEN BUDDY SLACK and UGLY MUG JUG BAND
Burning Rope
Burning Rope is the new band formed by former Catfish members Paul Long and Adam Pyke, with superb guitarist Alex Voysey on guitar and the excellent Mitch Weaving (who also toured several times with Catfish) on drums.
The band is born out of family tragedy and loss following the death in October 2024 from cancer of the Catfish frontman Matt Long, and a desire by other members of the band to continue playing music. They’ll be performing new material written together over the past year, together with a few unusual covers.
Their debut album, simply entitled ‘Burning Rope’, was launched in October 2025 and was no. 1 in the IBBA Uk blues playlist charts in the UK. Their second album is currently being recorded and will be released in May 2026.
They were nominated in the UK Blues awards top 20 in the album of the year and band of the year categories, and in the top five in Emerging Artist of the Year.
They are now touring the UK and will be heading out to Europe next Summer.
Franny Eubank & His Blues Band
Manchester legend Franny Eubank & His Blues Band will be playing the Saturday at Bluesbury Festival
“Fuelled by the Blues of Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson and fired by the Devil himself, Franny’s Harmonica and deep, soulful vocals have set rooms alight with a blue flame night after night after night. If there’s one man and his band who can get an instant grin on your face and leave you wanting more, it’s Franny Eubank & His Blues Band” (Matt & Phreds)
Bo Lee – Bass,
John Ellis – Keys,
Billy Buckley – guitar,
Steve Oaks – drums
John Montana Trio
John Montana is a Manchester-based blues-rock guitarist, singer and songwriter known for his soulful, high-energy performances. Blending blues, rock, funk and soul with a psychedelic edge, he delivers a powerful, distinctive sound. With over 35 years in the industry, John has toured internationally across Europe, the US and Australia, performed at prestigious events, and built a reputation as a versatile and experienced musician.
As frontman of The John Montana Trio, he’s played iconic venues and festivals across the UK and beyond, earning a strong following for their energetic live shows. Expect electrifying guitar, strong vocals, and a performance that connects with every crowd.
Ben Buddy Slack (and the Swan Song Project)
Ben Buddy Slack has paid his blues dues as front man for The Blind Dead Mcjones Band. He is also a very strong man and on Swansong Saturday will be performing solo and raising funds for his SWAN SONG PROJECT charity which “writes songs with people facing end of life. Celebrating lives, making memories and leaving legacies”
Ugly Mug Jug Band
The Ugly Mug Jug Band gives you back porch string band tunes and street corner Jug stomping blues. Played on a menagerie of musical curiosities and homemade instruments from washboards, tea chests, resonator guitars and harmonicas to the antique 7 string left handed fretless banjo.
The band entertained at a recent Huddersfield Blues Club sesh and they all share a genuine lifelong passion for early 20th century American music delivered to you rough and raw. “Seeing The Ugly Mug Jug band is like watching a musical junk shop.”
Sunday 13th September 2.00 – 8.00pm
Sunday is Sunday Blues Train day with THE MILK MEN, HUDDERSFIELD BLUES CLUB ALL STARS and JOHN CARROLL
The Milk Men
Multi-award nominated band from that there London delivering full-phat, gold topped original high-octane rockin’ rhythm & blues right on your doorstep! “The finest rockin’ rhythm’n’blues band in the country” says Blues in Britain Magazine. “In the tradition of British milk men – these guys certainly deliver!” – says Blues Matters Magazine
Nominated for eleven UK Blues Awards and British Blues Challenge finalists, and with a Number 1 blues single and album to their name, The Milk Men have earned a reputation as the one of the most dynamic and enjoyable live bands on the circuit. Their six albums of original material have seen them top both the Amazon and iTunes charts and won them ‘Best Album’ nominations, and their live shows are renowned for their electric energy and joyous sense of fun.
The Milk Men are a band made up from the cream of British R’n’B talent and pedigree. With former Pirate Mike Roberts on drums, Lloyd Green (son of guitar legend Mick Green) on bass guitar, raw-throated blues singer Jamie Smy on vocals, the band is rounded off on guitar by Adam Norsworthy, also known for his work with blues-scene mainstays Mustangs.
Huddersfield Blues Club All Stars
Huddersfield Blues Club All Stars is a bluestastic ensemble from the much loved blues club of the same name featuring James O’Hara, Pat Fulgoni of Pat Fulgoni Blues Experience, Alex Eden of Crosscut Saw, Marc Layton Bennett of Jah Wobble band, James Dash and jazz legend Rod Mason on sax. And very nice it is too.
John Carroll
John Carroll of John Carroll & the Blues Revelation is an accomplished acoustic blues musician whose sound is deeply rooted in the great traditions of the genre, drawing inspiration from legends such as Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, Blind Blake, Muddy Waters and Jimi Hendrix. Blending timeless blues standards with his own original material, John delivers performances in a uniquely improvised style that feels both authentic and fresh, always honouring the spirit and soul of the blues.
John is the only artist to have a residency acoustic slot at the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, a distinction that reflects both his reputation and his standing within the blues scene. Both as a solo artist, and with his band John Carroll & the Blues Revelation, John performs regularly at blues clubs and festivals throughout the country, where he has built a strong following through the power, authenticity and entertainment value of his live shows.
“John plays the Blues like it was meant to be played way back. Powerful vocals, intricate guitar playing & lots of fun make for a great Blues experience” Harry Simpson: Balmoral Blues Club
“A mesmerising solo acoustic bluesman and performer, definitely a name to watch out for” Colin Campbell: Blues Matters Magazine
Love the blues? Join the Huddersfield Blues Club group https://www.facebook.com/groups/762725988269010
https://twitter.com/huddsbluesclub
https://www.instagram.com/huddersfieldbluesclub
https://twitter.com/bluesburyfest
https://www.facebook.com/bluesburyfestival
https://www.instagram.com/bluesburyfestival/