Duo to headline blues festival

ENTERTAINING the crowds . . . Mike Sweeney

MUSIC lovers of all ages are in for a real treat on Sunday, August 7, when Mike Sweeney and Paddy O'Hare, with the Collective, headline the second annual Middleton Rock n' Blues Festival at the Boarshaw Working Men's Club.

Popular Oldham pair Mike and Paddy, and the Collective, have been wowing the crowds since 2012 when the leading pair met during their days as presenters at 106.1 Rock Radio.

Taking their cues from the blues, country, folk, rockabilly, rock n roll and influences from the likes of Elmore James through to Woodie Guthrie, Mike and Paddy use a mix of acoustic and retro-electric guitars, harmonica, bass and drums to produce a unique amalgam of them all.

The band - Mike (lead vocals/guitar/harmonica), Paddy (vocals/lead guitar), Dave Williams (bass) and Phil Grainger (drums) - built their reputation during 2013 leading to support slots with Ginger Baker, Bill Wyman, Wishbone Ash, Caravan, Roachford, Steve Harley's Cockney Rebel and The DB Band (ex-Supergrass).

Now the Collective are to headline to the Middleton Rock n' Blues Festival, and tickets are selling fast for the event, which starts at 1.30pm on the day and goes on until 6.30pm.

The Paddy Maguire Band, the Lol Goodman Band and Kevin Farrell will also feature on what promises to be a terrific afternoon of entertainment.

There is plenty of car parking space at the venue, a beer garden/grassy area to spend some time in between bands, while drink prices are very reasonable and the bar staff are putting food on, again at a reasonable cost.

To book your tickets, email: jon@lolgoodmanband.com or paddy@paddymaguire.com