Review: Theatre of Blues Festival, Lion Hotel, Shrewsbury

The two-day event, now in it's second year kicked off with three bands playing at the historic Lion Hotel in Shrewsbury last night.

New guests at the hotel included a line up of self-named band Hooson - named after the mighty vocals of singer Jenna - Cliff Stocker's Legendary Slack Alice who have been playing accomplished rhythm and blues since the 1970s and most exciting of all was 24 Pesos who stole the show with their unique and energetic take on blues that has put them at the forefront of the new blues scene in the UK and have been toted as one of the UK's most exciting and original blues bands.

The growing popularity of the festival has seen ticket sales increase by 100 fold says Andrea Jones, event organiser and lead vocal for band Rhythm Zoo.

Andrea and partner Dermot Hall's frustration at the lack of variety at some festivals inspired them to create the Theatre of Blues. The couple find showcasing upcoming talent the most rewarding aspect and for a festival still in its infancy it's already proving a hit with a core of hard line fans that turned out to see Slack Alice play songs from yet another new album after 40 years of gigging.

But the best is yet to come with more music planned for today at Theatre Severn's Walker Theatre including the incredible local talent Blues Boy Dan playing a guest slot at some point while winners of 2012's Battle of the Bands the DriveTones from Whitchurch will get things started followed by Bex Marshall, Tim Aves Wolfpack, Fuschi 4, Dani Wilds and Buddy Whittington closing the show at midnight.

So for blues music as you've never seen it before from rock n' ragtime to groove played by talented home-grown musicians get down to Theatre Severn.

Tickets from Theatre Severn's box office cost £25 for the full day from 2pm or there's a late ticket allowing entry after 7pm for £15.

By Maria Fodor