The 2024 edition of the UK Blues Challenge took place on 8th October at The Tuesday Night Music Club in Coulsdon, London. This was organised by the UK Blues Federation and chair Richard Dunning opened the proceedings with a moment of silence to remember Catfish’s Matt Long (29) guitarist/singer who passed away from cancer two days before the event.
The running order had been agreed by drawing lots so the enthusiastic and emotional crowd, Matt had been a regular performer at the venue, got to see in order the five nominated bands – Thomas Heppell, Connolly Hayes, Alex Voysey, Alice Armstrong & Mississippi MacDonald.
The five independent judges were Linda Valentine-Shaw, Sarah Reeve, Jonathan Spencer, Robin Bibi and Stephan Redtenbacher. The judges marked the contenders on Vocal Talent, Instrumental Talent, Stage Presence, Originality and Blues Content.
View here for full Image gallery
First up was the very energetic Thomas Heppell with his three-piece band playing a couple of his heavy blues original numbers along with a couple of covers ‘John the Revelator’ with crowd participation and finished with ‘Shake your Money Maker’ with playing to the crowds and on the tables! Thomas has a great blues voice and great guitar playing backed by his band.
They were followed by Connolly Hayes with their excellent soulful vocals and harmonies from Jess Hayes & Frankie Connolly backed by their rhythm section. They played an opening song with Jess on evocative main vocals and followed this with ‘Secrets to Me’ with Frankie demonstrating his powerful vocals and guitar work. They followed up next with the title track from their new album ‘Remember Me’ with its great joint harmonies and passionate vocals from Jess. They included a new song ‘Meet in the Middle’ with its great vocals from Jess backed by Frankie.
Next up came Alex Voysey and his four-piece band who bravely started with a slow instrumental ‘Down the Long Dark Road’ with great blues guitar from Alex, which moved on to a single from his new album ‘Whisky & Wine’ with more guitar wizardry from Alex backed by his rhythm section. Also included in his powerful set was ‘Away From Mississippi’ with its bass solo and great piano on ‘Watch the Sky’ along with strong drums backing Alex’s plaintive vocals.
Next up was Alice Armstrong who with drummer Kev Hickman were very close to Matt Long, which showed in their performance when both were close to tears but pulled all the stops out backed by brilliant blues keys from Stevie Watts. They started with ‘Daddy was a Blues Man’ (written with Matt Long) and followed it with a slow sad song ‘Life I Choose’ which demonstrated Alice’s brilliant and powerful Blues vocals. The final song was a BB King tribute with great keys from Stevie Watts and more great vocals from Alice. They finished with a standing ovation from the audience.
The final act Mississippi MacDonald played their traditional deep south soul blues sound but with a modern twist including powerful vocals from Oliver “Mississippi” MacDonald. The set including ‘Blind Leading the Blind’, which was a funky blues number with great vocals and deep south riffs, a 12-minute masterclass of blues with ‘Drinkers Blues’ and finished with the title album track ‘Heavy State loving Blues’ with more great vocals from Oliver.
After Richard Dunning had added up the judges scores, he announced, to wild applause, that Alice Armstrong had been declared the winner. Alice, who announced she had never been to the USA, and her band are now invited to perform at The International Blues Challenge in Memphis (in January 2025) and the European Blues Challenge (being held in Split, Croatia) in April 2025. The band was awarded by the UK Blues Federation £1,000 towards the costs but their will need to be a Crowdfunder to make up the rest of the costs.
