BELFAST City Blues Festival welcomes legendary roots/blues guitarist Steve Payne to Kelly’s Cellars and The Spaniard with his SP3 band.
Also featuring in SP3 are six-string ace Paul Hobday and Northern Ireland’s Billy Boy Miskimmin on harmonica. The band will be playing Kelly’s Cellars on Friday June 23 from 3pm and The Spaniard on Sunday June 25 from 4pm.
Steve Payne is one of the leading blues guitarists of his generation, who rose from his Bristol pub show roots to grace stages across the world.
Belfast City Blues Festival director Seamie O’Neill said it will be a unique opportunity to see this exciting trio.
“When we secured the SP3 for the festival we were delighted,” he said. “Steve is a phenomenal singer songwriter, but such is his renown that he has played with legends such as BB King, Dr John, Fairport Convention and been part of Loudon Wainwright III’s band amongst many others.”
Billy Boy Miskimmin is a virtuoso harmonica player and vocalist. He’s been a member of bands such as The Yardbirds and Nine Below Zero and has played sessions for Marc Almond and Stiff Little Fingers.
“You just need to hear Billy Boy playing once to be both entranced and excited,” said Seamie O’Neill. “Together with Paul Hobday this trio is not to be missed as these three talents are steeped in the history of roots and blues, but have modernity in their attitude and playing.”
For those who want to learn how Billy Boy achieved his deserved reputation as Europe’s number one Harp player he will be giving a master class in a Festival Music Workshop in Dawson’s Music on Royal Avenue, Belfast before his set with SP3. Details are at: http://belfastcityblues.com/festival-workshop/
The festival which is celebrating its ninth year with 50 gigs across 22 venues from June 23-25 has once again been sponsored by American Holidays.
For more information and a full schedule for the Belfast City Blues Festival which runs from June 23-25 log onto www.belfastcityblues.com