Awarding-winning blues guitarist and singer Laurence Jones, from Shipston-on-Stour headlined the 20th edition of the Upton Blues Festival in July 2022.
The Upton Blues festival was returning after an enforced 3-year absence, due to COVID, and the streets of this Worcestershire town were heaving for this one of the largest free music festivals in the UK.
Bennett Holland on keys for Laurence Jones at Upton Blues Festival
The band is Laurence Jones (guitar and lead vocals), Bennett Holland (keyboards and backing vocals), Jack Alexander Timmis (bass guitar), and Samuel Jenkins (drums).
After having to curtail from playing gigs, due to COVID, Laurence is well into his tour of UK and European gigs, particularly The Netherlands. For the two nights before his Upton Blues festival success, he had performed in Edinburgh and Darlington.
As Laurence commented the last time he played at the festival was 10 years ago in 2012 when he was playing in one of the town's pubs, not the main Riverside stage in 2022.
His sound contains his virtuoso guitar playing with his soulful delivery with great support from his tight band, with Bennett Holland giving him the counterpoint with his great keyboard playing (both Hammond and Nord keyboards) and backing vocals.
The set kicked off with “What’s it Gonna Be” and “Good Morning Blues” to get the crowd roaring their delight.
Next up was his new single from his soon-to-be-released album Destination Unknown (release date 9th September 2022), “Anywhere with Me”.
Laurence has recently signed with Marshall Records and recorded the new album at their studio in Milton Keynes, UK.
Laurence Jones with bassist Jack Alexander Timmis
As he commented on his signing with Marshall records “To join the Marshall legacy is a dream. I’m proud of the album we’ve made together on the legendary “Tattoo You” (Rolling Stones) mixing desk. Marshall has given me the support and platform to create a British rock crossover album that I’ve been waiting to record. Crafted over 3 years of writing songs”
Laurence Jones
Also included in his set were another three songs from his new album “Can’t keep from loving you”, In Too Deep” and “Tonight”
The set included “Thunder in the Sky” which is a fan favourite and was one of the first songs Laurence recorded. For his deep love of guitar legend, Jimi Hendrix Purple Haze with its guitar effects and wizardry was played again to the packed crowds on the streets of Upton-on-Severn, Worcestershire.
The new album UK tour kicks off on Friday 9th September in Hull and continues in venues around the UK until early December 2022.
