2013 October
ARTISTS, REVIEW, COMMENTS, SCHEDULE and VENUES
Assorted Buskers, Back Porch, Blue Touch, Blues Machine, Bob Pearce Gospel & Blues Band, C Sharp Blues, Chloee Christmas Band, Dan Sowerby Band, David Raphael Band, Fabulous Fezheads, Festival Finale, Grainne Duffy Band, Hugh Budden, Jam Sessions with Robin Bibi Band, Jawbreakers, Jay Tamkin, Johnny Sharp, Motel 6, Mustangs, Open Mic Sessions with Johnny Sharp and Martin Froud, Paint It Blue, Pete Harris, Ray Drury, Riotous Brothers, Riverside Blues Band, Robert Hokum, Robin Bibi Band, Sonny Black, Stan's Blues Jamboree, Steve Brookes, Steve Darrington, Steve Summers Band, The Elevators, The Smokin' Benny Brown Band, Tommy Allen & Johnny Hewitt, Voodoo Chilli, Will Killeen and Zoe Schwarz Blues Band
REVIEW
THOUSANDS OF MUSIC-LOVERS FLOCK TO SWANAGE'S ROCKING BLUES AND ROOTS FESTIVAL by Diana Henderson
(Courtesy of Bournemouth Echo - Wednesday 9th October 2013)
SWANAGE was rocking at the weekend as the 20th Swanage Blues and Roots Festival played out to thousands of music fans.
The three day party ranged from open mic sessions to buskers at Swanage Railway Station, and festival favourites such as Back Porch and Blue Touch.
Every March and October music lovers throng to the seaside town where more than 100 musicians perform at 60 events in 15 indoor venues from Friday lunchtime until Sunday evening.
Regular fans say they love the friendly atmosphere and the wide range of electric and acoustic music available in the pubs, restaurants and hotel bars across the town.
Aspiring performers can take part in the electric jam sessions with international star Robin Bibi and his band, the open mic sessions with Johnny Sharp and Martin Froud and Stan’s Blue Jamboree. The first Swanage Blues Festival was held in March 2001 and started off as a birthday party for local blues fan George Crane in a nightclub, rapidly expanding into a town-wide event with pubs and restaurants joining in.
Organiser Steve Darrington used to be a touring musician until he had to stop due to ill health and the festivals are funded by enthusiastic fans buying £10 weekend wristbands.
He said: “It was an absolutely fantastic weekend.”
He added: “Despite the roadworks, which affected how easily people got to Swanage, I would say that it was the best Swanage Blues Festival ever.
“Swanage was bursting full of people and the highlights were that it meant lots of friendships were renewed, numerous musicians came together, and it was wonderful seeing people of all ages in a wonderful, friendly atmosphere.
“The whole town could be seen dancing in the street.”
SCHEDULE
All times are approximate and subject to change
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THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER 2013
Please note all times are approximate and subject to change
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8.30pm Grand Hotel
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An Evening With Robert Hokum and Steve Darrington.
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FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER 2013
Please note all times are approximate and subject to change
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2.00pm Red Lion
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Open Mic with Martin Froud & Johnny Sharp
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5.00pm Bar One
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Robin Bibi Band
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6.00pm Sea Breeze
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Sonny Black
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6.00pm Tawny’s
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Steve Brookes
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8.15pm Sea Breeze
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Sonny Black
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8.30pm Tawny’s
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Steve Brookes
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8.30pm East Bar
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Smokin’ Benny Brown Band
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8.30pm Grand Hotel
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Zoe Schwarz Blues Band
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8.45pm Black Swan
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Will Killeen
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9.00pm White Swan
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Back Porch
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9.00pm Red Lion
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Tommy Allen & Johnny Hewitt
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9.00pm The Legion
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Jay Tamkin Band
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9.00pm Seahorse Café Bar
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Pete Harris Band
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9.00pm Crow’s Nest
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The Jawbreakers
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9.45pm White Horse
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The Mustangs
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9.45pm Anchor Inn
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Riverside Blues Band
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10.00pm Ship, Swanage
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Blues Machine
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SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER 2013
Please note all times are approximate and subject to change
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11.00am Railway Station
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Assorted Buskers
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1.00pm The Legion
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STAN’S BLUES JAMBOREE, featuring Stan’s Jam, Doctor Blu, RedCrow, The Voodoo Sheikhs and Rob Berry Band (till 7pm)
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1.30pm Bar One
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Tommy Allen & Johnny Hewitt
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2.00pm East Bar
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Steve Summers Band
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2.00pm White Horse
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Jam Session with Robin Bibi Band
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2.00pm Red Lion
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Open Mic with Martin Froud & Johnny Sharp
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2.30pm Corfe Legion
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David Raphael Band
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3.00pm Ship, Langton
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Fabulous Fezheads
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3.00pm White Swan
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Pete Harris Band
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3.00pm Grand Hotel
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Sonny Black
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3.45pm Ship, Swanage
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Riotous Brothers
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4.00pm Bar One
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Paint It Blue
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6.00pm Tawny’s
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Steve Brookes
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6.00pm Sea Breeze
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Tommy Allen & Johnny Hewitt
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6.30pm Bar One
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Dan Sowerby Band
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8.15pm Sea Breeze
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Tommy Allen & Johnny Hewitt
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8.30pm Tawny’s
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Steve Brookes
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8.30pm Grand Hotel
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Blue Touch
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8.30pm East Bar
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The Jawbreakers
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8.45pm Black Swan
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Will Killeen
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9.00pm White Swan
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Steve Summers Band
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9.00pm Red Lion
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Fabulous Fezheads
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9.00pm Crow’s Nest
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Back Porch
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9.00pm The Legion
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The Elevators
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9.45pm Anchor
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C Sharp Blues
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9.45pm White Horse
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Robin Bibi Band
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10.00pm Ship, Swanage
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Motel 6
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SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER 2013
Please note all times are approximate and subject to change
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11.00am Railway Station
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Assorted Buskers
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1.00pm Red Lion
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Open Mic with Martin Froud & Johnny Sharp
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..1.00pm Bar One
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Back Porch
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1.30pm Black Swan
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Will Killeen
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2.00pm East Bar
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Paint It Blue
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3.00pm Corfe Legion
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Riverside Blues Band
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3.00pm White Horse
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Jam Session with Robin Bibi Band
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3.00pm White Swan
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Blue Touch
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3.00pm Anchor
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David Raphael Band
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3.00pm The Legion
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Tommy Allen & Johnny Hewitt
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3.00pm Grand Hotel
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Bob Pearce Gospel & Blues Band
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3.30pm Bar One
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Smokin’ Benny Brown Band
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4.00pm Ship, Swanage
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The Jawbreakers
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5.30pm The Legion
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Grainne Duffy Band
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6.30pm East Bar
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Steve Summers Band
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8.30pm Grand Hotel
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GRAND FESTIVAL FINALE Steve Darrington, Dan Sowerby Band, Hugh Budden, Pete Harris, Ray Drury and Steve Brookes
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10.00pm Ship, Swanage
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Chloee Christmas Band
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10.30pm Anchor
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Voodoo Chilli
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THE VENUES
The Festival Programme has a Map in the centre pages.
* IMPORTANT - Sea Breeze and Tawny’s Wine Bar are restaurants, so please book in advance.
ACCESS - If you have any mobility or other problems or requirements, please check with the venue in advance.
MEMBERS - Non-members are welcome at Corfe Castle and Swanage Royal British Legion Clubs
Starting from the pier end of the High Street, the first venue is the East Bar (1 High St) and Bar One next door (also 1 High St), then the White Horse (11), Ship Inn (23a), White Swan (31), Anchor Inn (30), *Tawny’s Wine Bar (52), Red Lion (63), Black Swan (159) and a little further on The Legion (150). That concludes the High Street. The lower high street is connected to Station Road by Institute Road opposite the White Swan.
The Mowlem Theatre (not a venue) is where Station Road, Shore Road and Institute Road all converge. On the ground floor of the Mowlem, on the sea side, is Seahorse Cafe & Bar.
From the Mowlem go along Shore Road with the bay on your right and *Sea Breeze (7 Shore Rd) is on your left; keep on all the way along the bay and at Bull & Boat Bistro (not a venue) bear left up the hill to the Crow’s Nest (11 Ulwell Rd). From the Crow’s Nest, cross over into Burlington Rd for the Grand Hotel.
Corfe Castle Royal British Legion is in Corfe Castle and can be reached by road, bus or train. The last train comes back to Swanage around 5.20pm on Saturday and Sunday (to be verified - always best to check yourself).
