Alfold Rock and Blues Festival

Thursday 1st July, the festival will kick off with a very special concert by none other than MARTIN BARRE and his amazing band! Martin was the guitarist with JETHRO TULL for 43 years, during which time they sold over 80 MILLION albums, won the very first Grammy for ‘Best Hard Rock Album’, smashed attendance records worldwide (including 5 consecutive nights at the LA Forum), and were the first band ever to feature in a live, worldwide broadcast, from Madison Square Garden.

The set will feature Tull classics and deep cuts, along with Martin’s own superb material.

Since their formation in 1977 NINE BELOW ZERO have developed a reputation as one of the best blues bands in the country. Their high energy live act was already well established by the time they signed to A&M RECORDS in 1980 and was forever captured on their classic live album 1980’s LIVE AT THE MARQUEE. Legendary producer GLYN JOHNS subsequently worked with the band on 1981’s DON’T POINT YOUR FINGER and they became a familiar sight on seminal TV shows like THE OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST, THE SOUTH BANK SHOW and memorably performed ‘’11+11’’ on the very first episode of anarchic comedy hit THE YOUNG ONES. High profile tours with THE WHO and The KINKS followed and although their musicianship was reaching new heights 1982’s THIRD DEGREE was the last album released by the classic line-up. During this hiatus Dennis formed the soul/pop outfit THE TRUTH producing two Top 20 singles in the UK and a Top 5 R&B hit in the US whilst Mark Feltham went on to become one of the most sought after harmonica players in the session world. The band made a triumphant return in 1990 to celebrate their 10th anniversary with an all new rhythm section consisting of BRENDAN O’NEILL (Drums) and GERRY MCAVOY (Bass) from RORY GALLAGHER’s band.

We are delighted to welcome Nine Below Zero back to Alfold, with the 4 piece line-up of Dennis Greaves, Mark Feltham, Sonny Greaves and Ben Willis, plus a very special guest… TBA.

UK Blues Awards 2025 Band of the Year Winners

Brave Rival are a rock band on a mission. No gimmicks, no frills—just raw, high-energy, riff-driven rock that demands to be heard.

The Portsmouth-based quartet - vocalist Lindsey Bonnick, guitarist Ed ‘the Shred’ Clarke, bassist Billy Dedman, and drummer Donna Peters have earned a reputation as one of the UK’s most electrifying live acts. Their powerhouse performances have been winning over crowds across the country, with critics and fans alike praising their energy, musicianship, and undeniable chemistry on stage.

It’s no surprise they’ve caught the ear of blues-rock heavyweight Joe Bonamassa, who called them one of his “favourite discoveries,” or that Classic Rock Magazine hailed their sound as “packed with ambition, fire, and killer songs.”
Now crowned Band of the Year at the 2025 UK Blues Awards after the release of their first two albums, Brave Rival are gearing up to release their new EP 5 to 4 this October, showcasing their most dynamic, hard-hitting material yet. With soaring vocals, thunderous grooves, and fearless song writing, this new chapter promises to hit harder than ever.

Brave Rival are only getting started. Get on board or get out of the way.

Lightnin' Willie is a veteran bluesman with in excess of twenty years of touring experience. Originally from Dallas Texas he now resides in the Los Angeles area. Willie plays in a traditional blues format with traditional instrumentation i.e. guitar, keyboards, accordion, bass, drums, and horns. He plays on a regular basis in the Los Angeles area with Grammy award winning producer/guitarist Pete Anderson who incidentally produced his  album NO BLACK NO WHITE JUST BLUES  on Little Dog Records which is received incredibly consistent reviews and airplay worldwide

 "  In a world of guitar slingers, Los Angeles-based bluesman is a rare find. His guitar, a 1950 Gibson ES-5N has a rich, deep tone and Willie's tasteful style create a sound that's light years away from the howling Fender Stratocasters that populate so many modern blues recordings. His understated dexterity on guitar and cool, relaxed vocals form a unique style that's simultaneously laid back and steeped in tradition. " -  ELMORE MAGAZINE  

" One of the best contemporary Blues songwriters & performers today "- PETE ANDERSON/GRAMMY MULTI AWARD WINNING PRODUCER.  

 " What he doesn't know about putting on a good show isn't worth knowing..."- MICHAEL MEES/BLUES IN BRITAIN.

Lightnin' Willie has a distinctive approach to his music. He is a songwriter, singer and guitarist in that order. The sound is an irresistible blend of tradition and spontaneous creativity, with a deliciously insidious emphasis on the groove. It is a compelling, hard swinging brand of blues that, whenever he performs,  packs the floor--his audience can't not dance. He has gone from the low down beer joints to become a staple on the international circuit here and abroad, with wild stops along the the way, from London's Royal Albert Hall Igniter Series to Willie Nelson's infamous 4th of July Picnic, where he appeared alongside Paula Nelson, Willie, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell. Touring the United States and Europe for over twenty years has given him the relaxed, confident and sometimes humorous quality of a seasoned performer.  These attributes have won him stacks of enthusiastic praise from the press while landing his original tunes on numerous film and television soundtracks.  Lightnin' Willie has the unique knack of bringing his audience into his 'living room' and making everyone comfortable while forgetting their problems for a couple of hours.  At a recent show with legendary blues man Robert Cray they played to a packed house receiving a well deserved standing ovation.

Fresh off the success of their acclaimed debut album Straight To It, the Zac Schulze Gang return with their explosive new single, “Hellhounds On My Trail,” arriving July 24. Recorded live with longtime producer Ian Sadler, the track captures everything that has made the Kent power trio one of the UK’s fastest-rising rock acts—blistering guitars, relentless energy, and the chemistry of a band that’s built its reputation the old-fashioned way: onstage.

 Frontman Zac Schulze is one of the most exciting young guitarists to emerge from the UK in years. A fearless player with world-class chops, he attacks the guitar with punk-rock attitude, blues soul, and classic rock swagger. But the magic of the Zac Schulze Gang isn’t about flashy solos—it’s the undeniable chemistry between Zac, drummer (and brother) Ben Schulze, and bassist Ant Greenwell. Together, they deliver a massive, high-octane sound that’s equal parts melody and muscle, channeling the spirit of Rory Gallagher and Dr. Feelgood while sounding unmistakably modern.

 Written by Tony Dowler and the Hellhounds and inspired by the legend of Robert Johnson, “Hellhounds On My Trail” first entered the band’s orbit when they were invited to perform it at the Rory Gallagher Festival in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands.

 “We were first introduced to the song when our friend Petra Burns asked us to perform it at the Rory Gallagher Festival in Holland,” says Zac Schulze. “We’d never even rehearsed it before, but from the first time we played it, we knew it had to stay in the set. Every time we perform it, it evolves—we stretch it out, improvise, and discover something new. The version we’ve recorded is our best attempt to capture that live energy while paying tribute to Tony Dowler, who wrote such a brilliant song. It really sums up where we are as a band right now.”

 Hailing from Gillingham, Kent, the trio cut their teeth on the UK’s DIY punk circuit before breaking through with a standout performance at the Rory Gallagher Tribute Festival in 2022. Since then, they’ve become true road warriors, performing more than 250 shows a year, appearing at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, and building a loyal following throughout Europe and the UK.

 That relentless work ethic has earned the band Best Emerging Blues Band at the UK Blues Awards (2024), followed by Young Artist of the Year (2025). Alongside Straight To It, their acclaimed releases Made of Three (2023) and Live and Loud (2024) have established the Zac Schulze Gang as one of the most exciting young bands carrying blues-infused rock into the future.

 Critical praise has followed the Zac Schulze Gang's rapid ascent. Classic Rock hailed the trio's "upbeat, '70s-ified blues rock with a few enticing twists and a roughened Rory Gallagher-esque edge," while Vintage Guitar observed, "The roar of these British lads is described as blues-rock, but their vibe is too uproarious to be pigeonholed." Rock & Blues Muse wrote that the band "doesn't mess around with niceties, preferring to play the kind of blues-infused rock'n'roll that grabs your throat and doesn't let go," while Blues Matters declared they're "destined for blues rock glory." Blues Rock Review described the trio as "wired with the nervous energy of youth," and Tinnitist  summed them up as "fierce, dynamic and very much of the now."

 This fall, the band will bring their electrifying live show to U.S. audiences on tour with Samantha Fish and Tab Benoit, further cementing their status as one of the UK’s most compelling new rock exports.

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.

"A powerful, contemporary sound that feels both familiar and fresh."

Equal parts grit, melody and stage presence — rooted in blues and Americana, but built for modern crowds.

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.

Hollie Rogers is a singer, songwriter and guitarist, known for her powerful voice, sharp lyrics, and percussive, acoustic guitar-led sound. Drawing influence from artists like Joan Armatrading, Carole King and Blondie, her music balances emotional depth with playful charm.

Nominated in 4 categories at the 2026 UK Blues Awards, Hollie has appeared at major festivals including Glastonbury, Black Deer and Boardmasters. She has opened for the likes of KT Tunstall, Suzanne Vega, Paolo Nutini, Midge Ure and Ralph McTell and is a regular performer at events curated by Whispering Bob Harris.

Hollie's music is playlisted in all Caffè Nero stores worldwide, and she is backed by BBC Introducing. A graduate of the English Folk Expo’s prestigious Artist Mentorship Programme, Hollie has collaborated with high profile artists like Jamie Lawson and legendary guitarist Robben Ford, who both feature on her 2022 album, "Criminal Heart".

Her new album "Everything's Fine", features collaborations with Elles Bailey, Beth Nielsen-Chapman, and The Budapest Symphony Orchestra. With vocals engineered by 5-time Grammy-nominated James McMillan, the album represents a new era in Hollie's songwriting. It's available in 2 CD formats and 2 LP formats, including limited edition orange vinyl.

Across the UK, Hollie has earned a reputation for engaging, powerful live performances that leave audiences coming back for more.

THE MUSTANGS are one of the most established and critically-acclaimed blues rock bands in the UK, with a reputation for blistering live shows and ground-breaking original albums. The band has been nominated for four British Blues Awards.

Regarded as a breath of fresh air on the UK blues scene, the London-based four piece combines the power and punch of traditional R’n’B with great original songs and a show-stopping stage set. They have forged a formidable reputation as one of the most dynamic and charismatic bands in British blues.
The Mustangs are led by the stunning voice and slashing guitar of livewire frontman Adam Norsworthy (also of The Milk Men). The razor-sharp rhythm section of Jon Bartley (drums) and Ben McKeown (bass) is the tightest on the circuit. The band is rounded off by Nigel Feist on blues harp, one of the most electrifying players on the circuit. Nigel replaced Mustang legend Derek Kingaby who retired from music in 2021.

The Mustangs formed in Southern England in 2001. They immediately started gaining rave reviews in the blues press, with writers hailing the band as the country’s brightest new blues talent. News of their deft song-writing and hunger for playing live soon spread. Since then the Mustangs have headlined stages all over the UK and Northern Europe. In 2017 they played the legendary Glastonbury Festival.
Now in their third decade and with nine critically acclaimed albums under their belt, as well as a Best Of and a live album, the band’s eleventh album WATERTOWN was released to glowing critical acclaim.

“Just Passing Through is an eclectic masterpiece” Firebrand Magazine

“This outfit has the potential to change how British blues is perceived and received” Blues Matters Magazine
“In a genre so dominated by predictable cover bands, the Mustangs have broken free…sheer balls tempered by plenty of heart and soul” Record Collector

“Truly storming, ferocious…the very definition of blues rock” Rock’n’Reel mag

"Blistering musicianship" Music Eye magazine

“Split Decision is a compulsory purchase for British blues rock fans” The Musician magazine