# The Nantwich Jazz Blues Festival is firmly entrenched in the UK music calendar: Video, Photos

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2024/04/10/the-nantwich-jazz-blues-festival-is-firmly-entrenched-in-the-uk-music-calendar-video-photos/
- Published: 2024-04-10T00:02:10+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**This is the 26th such event and this year 150 acts are playing at a range of venues
over the Easter weekend. Bands performing this year include Sad Café, From the Jam
and The Blockheads. Rock at Night is in town to see Saturday night headliners FM
supported by Blues Rock band Brave Rival.**

Brave Rival is establishing a strong reputation as an accomplished Blues Rock band
and I was looking forward to their set. Unfortunately due to transport problems 
I arrived late and only caught the last few numbers but this was enough to confirm
what an emerging talent this band is. The band consists of the twin powerhouse vocals
of Chloe Josephine and Lynsey Bonnick, Ed (The Shred) Clarke (Lead guitar), Joanna
Peters (drums) and Billy Dedman (Bass) and are a force to be reckoned with.

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rockatnight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FM-Jim-Kirkpatrick-
Steve-Overland-10.jpg?resize=300%2C259&ssl=1)

They have a distinctive sound that has drawn widespread plaudits from those in the
know, including Joe Bonamassa, and has seen them as finalists in The British Blues
awards for the last three years. Their closing number the powerful “What’s Your 
Name Again?” showcases the talents of all five members and is worth checking out
on their album “Live at the Half Moon”, available on streaming platforms.

FM is celebrating 40 years in the music business by releasing their fourteenth studio
album “Old Habits Die Hard” and touring extensively across the U.K., E.U. and South
America.

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rockatnight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FM-Merv-Goldsworthy-
Steve-Overland-22.jpg?fit=1400%2C1072&ssl=1)

Earlier this month they played gigs in Brazil, Peru, Argentina and Columbia and 
tonight they kick off the UK leg of their tour as Saturday headliners at the Nantwich
Jazz, Blues and Music Festival .

Despite their heavy tour schedule they are looking fresh and are firing on all cylinders.
Renowned for their engaging melodic rock vibe, sweeping harmonies and scintillating
musicianship they are a band with a rich pedigree.

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rockatnight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FM-Steve-Overland-.
jpg?resize=300%2C237&ssl=1)

The setlist tonight features many crowd favourites including “Killed By Love”, ”
Tough It Out” “Frozen Heart” and “Synchronised”. The B side from their first ever
single and the first song the band ever rehearsed “Say it Like it is” is apparently
a reluctant inclusion in the set but bowing to fan pressure they play it to raucous
approval.

Their latest single “Out of the Blue” lifted from the new album, fits in seamlessly
and has all the trademarks of an FM anthem. The song originated with keyboard player
Jem Davis who said “the band love the songs of Toto and Foreigner and so I tried
to put those influences into one track”. Mission achieved I would say.

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rockatnight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FM-Pete-Jupp-.
jpg?fit=1400%2C1055&ssl=1)

In between tracks, frontman Steve Overland chats with the audience about their South
American tour and the rigours of taking six flights in eight days. He also enthuses
about how good it is to see the town of Nantwich “taken over by music” for the festival
and how happy the band is with the new album due for release in early May.

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rockatnight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Brave-Rival-
7.jpg?resize=300%2C243&ssl=1)

Collectively the band is a tight outfit They are note perfect from start to finish,
delivering each song with a fresh vibe. There are no elongated time-filling solos
here, just full on quality .

The band is obviously enjoying themselves on stage and the mood is infectious. The
crowd need little coaxing to join in on choruses and judging from the number of 
current tour T-Shirts on display, there has already been brisk business at the merch
stand.

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rockatnight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FM-Jem-Davis-
2.jpg?fit=1400%2C1028&ssl=1)

The main set concludes with “Turn This Car Around”, which includes a brief Quo moment
before the band swiftly returns for a double encore of a passionate “The Story of
My Life” and a rousing “The Other Side of Midnight” sending the crowd home, or to
the Merch Stand, more than happy …

![](https://i0.wp.com/www.rockatnight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FM-36.jpg?resize
=678%2C381&ssl=1)

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