Bowring Park, Wellington, Shropshire. 5th September 2026
Sometimes, an event takes place that exceeds all expectations. Such was Under The Wrekin Acoustic Blues Festival; A day of acoustic blues from some of the UK’s finest exponents, in memory of The Groundhog’s Tony McPhee. Stemming from a promise made to Tony by his wife, Joanna Deacon, Under The Wrekin Acoustic Blues Festival was born. Hosted by the Groundhog Blues Club, of which Jo is the founder, and held in the scenic Bowring Park, Wellington, Shropshire under gloriously sunny skies (even the weather played nicely), it has to be said that the first Under the Wrekin festival was a resounding success.
With artists booked, fencing erected, security in place, marquees put up, food and drink vendors arranged and tickets sold, the day was set fair for a proper celebration of Acoustic Blues. All this was achieved through the tireless efforts of the Groundhog Club team in the months before the festival, including obtaining local council permissions and Art Council funding to ensure the event was financially viable.
Cllr Reg Snell opening Under The Wrekin Acoustic Blues Festival, with Jo Deacon
With the Stage sparsely set (there was no need for drum kits, Amplifiers or all the other paraphernalia that accompanies most festivals), and adorned by a photo of Tony, Wellington Mayor Cllr Reg Snell gave the opening address, and the audience were invited by Jo to raise a glass in Tony’s honour. With formalities completed, it was time to move onto the main purpose of the day, the Music.
Kyla Brox, accompanied on acoustic guitar by Husband Danny Blomeley, had the honour of getting things started. Originally scheduled for later in the day, another gig in the evening meant an early start for Kyla and Danny. In many ways, it was a fortuitously good way to start the event – Kyla’s sassy vocal range and depth, combined with Danny’s virtuosic playing established the perfect mood for the day. With tales of growing up in a large, musical, family and her father, legendary musician Victor Brox, told in “Bluesman’s Child”, and “Still Not Blues Enough” chronicling her disappointment at not winning the International Blues Challenge, and with Danny squeezing every note and tone possible (and some that appeared almost impossible) out of that guitar, this was a fine way to get the audience warmed up for the day, including vocal chords on a singalong of “365”.
Even with minimal equipment, there was still a need to set up the stage for each artist and perform soundchecks. In those intervals Carl Jones, OD Slope, and John Snocken kept the music flowing with short sets in the Bar tent.
Big Joe Bone is making a lot of noise on the festival circuit. To be fair, he makes a lot of noise wherever he’s playing, and that’s no bad thing. Armed with a selection of beat-up guitars, slide bottle, Harmonica, and a heavy right foot, Big Joe (aka Danny Wilson) delivered a fine set of what he terms “Blues-Grass”, a blend of delta blues mixed with bluegrass and hill-country blues. Mixing up originals with classics by the likes of Son House, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and Robert Johnson, and giving his Resonator a serious workout, Big Joe left the audience breathless with his frenetic, full-on style.
Another favourite on the festival circuit is the duo of Vince Lee and Sophie Lord. The ever-dapper Mr Lee, armed with a 72yo Silvertone guitar, accompanied by Ms Lord on Double Bass took us on a joyful journey from jump blues, via Tom Waits, to calypso and Latin and back again, in a set that demonstrated the versatility of vintage blues.
We were truly spoilt by the arrival of that world famous boy band (their words not mine) the Mark Harrison Band (Mark Harrison – Guitar, Vocals, Charles Benfield – Double Bass, Ben Welburn – Drums, Percussion). Mark is well known for his sharp, pithy wit, and songs about modern life set within a traditional blues frame such as “Road Ahead Closed”, the classic “Toolmaker’s Blues” and “The Onliest One”. Just as entertaining as the songs are the stories told to illustrate the meaning and origin of those songs.
Mississippi Macdonald had just returned from Memphis, Tennessee where he had been recording with the Al Green Band, but he was certainly not going to let a bit of jet lag get in the way of a fine performance. Delta blues at its finest.
Jimmy Regal & The Royals (Joff Watkins – Guitar, vocals and Harmonica, CJ Williams – Guitar, Sammy Samuels – Djembe/Cajon) really should need no introduction. The South London three-piece brought their brand of New Orleans/Delta blues to Shropshire with self-penned classics “Don’t Know Diddley”, which demanded an audience sing-along, and “Late Night Chicken”, about the craving for chicken late at night, amongst others.
With the sun in its descendancy, it was time for two legends of the UK Blues scene, Michael Messer & Chaz Jankel to take to the stage. With the star-spangled backdrop and subdued lighting, the marquee, by now almost at capacity, took on a warm, intimate atmosphere. Messrs Messer and Jankel provided an object lesson in Slide guitar and songwriting that held the audience in rapt attention. Quite simply, an hour that passed by all too quickly.
Still, there was one more legend to come, and there could be no better headliner than Dave Kelly to close out a perfect day. It was Tony McPhee, quoted Kelly, that opened his eyes to the power and potential of Slide Guitar way back in the 60s. In a fine and fitting tribute to both McPhee and Kelly’s sister Jo Anne Kelly, Jo Deacon Joined Dave Kelly to perform “Buy You A Diamond Ring” and “Oh Death”. Kelly then treated us to his blues version of the soul classics “Sitting on the Dock of The Bay” and “Georgia On My Mind” to send the crowd home happy and buzzing.
Some of the crew responsible for making Under The Wrekin Acoustic Blues Festival such a resounding successful
Of course, events like Under The Wrekin Acoustic Blues Festival don’t happen by accident. It is through the drive, dedication and passion of everyone involved before, during and after the event to create the space, the environment and the atmosphere to produce an event as memorable as this, so it is a massive thank you to Groundhog Blues Club, All the volunteers who worked tirelessly before, during and after the event, Stage and Sound Services SASS for impeccable sound and light throughout the day, Rowton Brewery for quality ales and great bar service, and the caterers Murase’s Pizzas, Cheeky Maharajah for an interesting and delicious twist on traditional fish and chips, and The Support Brew for fine coffees, teas, and seemingly unending supply of Biscoff biscuits. I think it is fair to say that Tony would have been very proud indeed of what Jo and Team have achieved.
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