Ready to get down for R&B festival?

People in Kirkwall and Stromness are bracing themselves for a weekend of rhythm and blues with top names returning to the islands for a series of performances under the Orkney Blues 2000 banner.

From Friday to Sunday, October 13 to 15, the Stromness Hotel, Stromness Academy, Matchmakers, Torvhaug Inn and Woodwick House will play host to six different groups and artists, all with one thing in common – to entertain in the best blues tradition.

Making a welcome return to Orkney after eight years are British-based Blues ‘N’ Trouble, who have just released their ninth album, “Blues Graffiti”, and have original guitarist John Bruce back in the fold.

The five-piece band, who have toured and guested with blues legend B. B. King, are described by the man as “the best white blues band ever”. They regularly sell-out wherever they play, whether it be on a relatively small scale in Orkney or at larger events such as the Memphis Blues Festival.

Watch out for their performances at the Stromness Academy on Saturday, October 14 at 8pm and Matchmakers on Sunday evening at 8.30pm.

Edinburgh’s hottest blues band, Blue Hyenas, are also booked for the event, playing on Friday, October 13, in the Stromness Hotel at 10pm, alongside Orkney’s Blue Mother. They will also be in Kirkwall on Saturday at 10pm in the Torvhaug Inn.

The Blue Hyenas play an impressive mixture of styles creating a melting pot of R&B, swing and blues. The band have gigged extensively in the last few years and built a reputation as one of the best live blues bands in the UK.

Also taking to the stage is Tony T. S. McPhee, who first founded his band The Groundhogs in 1963, quickly becoming the band that visiting American bluesmen wanted to back them. While still active with The Groundhogs, Tony released three solo albums in the 90s and comes to Orkney as part of a small Scottish tour. You can hear him at the Stromness Academy on Saturday, October 14, and in Woodwick House, Evie, on Sunday, October 15, at 7.30 pm.

Adrian Byron Burns has just been voted best acoustic blues artist by the British Blues Connection for the second year running. A native American, Adrian has opened shows for Little Richard, Vinegar Joe and has also had a chance to play with Champion Jack Dupree. He will be performing for one night only at Woodwick House on Sunday, October 15, at 7.30 pm.

Playing a couple of pub sessions will be Pete Price, who is described as being “Cheshire’s finest exponent”. He is in the Stromness Hotel on Friday, October 13, at 5pm, when customers can also enjoy a free finger buffet. He makes a second appearance in the Stromness Hotel on Saturday at 1pm.

And it has been confirmed that he is to hold blues guitar workshops, again in the Stromness Hotel, on Friday at 7.30 pm and Saturday at 6pm. It costs £2.50 per person and booking is essential on 01856 851063.

Tickets for any of the performances are available from Grooves and Hillanders in Kirkwall and Sinclair Office Supplies and Billy’s Box Office in Stromness.