Saturday
Swan & Heron stages
11.00am - 11.15pm
Set lengths 60-90 minutes
10 minute changeover
Darren Wharton's Renegade
Son Of Man
Mostly Autumn
McHale's Permanent Brew
Rhabstallion
Spriggan Mist
The Room
Credo
The Blue Lena
Kingfisher stage
12.45pm - 9.45pm
Set lengths 50-60 minutes
30 minute changeover
Comedy Of Errors
Hekz
Blues Boy Kings
Ghost Of The Machine
The Mighty Ra
Simone Galassi
Splink
Swan & Heron stages
These stages will operate alternately so you will be able to see all of every band if you wish.
Both stages, and the bar, are housed within one marquee to protect you from the weather.
Darren Wharton's Renegade
At the age of eighteen, Darren Wharton started his career playing keyboards with the legendary Thin Lizzy. Those were some of the best years of his life, and it was an incredible honour to work alongside Phil Lynott, Scott Gorham and Brian Downey, and also the many brilliant musicians since then that have been a part of the Thin Lizzy family. The Renegade album was Darren’s second album with Thin Lizzy and the band will include songs from the albums, Renegade, Chinatown and Thunder & Lighting, plus all the Greatest Hits loved by fans across the globe. Renegade are: Darren Wharton - Lead Vocals, Vinny Burns - Lead Guitar, Nigel Clutterbuck - Bass, Greg Morgan - Drums, Andy Moore - Lead Guitar
Son Of Man
When is a new band not a new band? Answer: when it's Son Of Man! Formed by George Jones, son of legendary Man guitarist Micky Jones at his father's request, and with the support of the late, legendary Deke Leonard, Son Of Man have released two albums of their own with a third on the way. Featuring members of fellow Welsh rockers Sassafras, you can expect to hear music from across their own repertoire as well as some classic Man material.
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Mostly Autumn
Mostly Autumn have built their fan base through the old-fashioned, but highly effective, way of playing live at every opportunity. Counted amongst the top 100 best prog bands of all time, their musical palette is diverse. and while they draw on influences from the golden age of seventies’ rock, they have developed their own unique sound and style that both captures some of the essence of that heady era and yet looks forward into the future.
McHale's Permanent Brew
The five member band have toured extensively in 2022, they were nominated for a 2023 UK Blues Federation Award. The band have received rave reviews throughout 2022, and are best known for their amazing live performances. They have supported Atomic Rooster, Dr Feelgood, Nine Below Zero and Gino Washington. Influences are Rory Gallagher, Pink Floyd, 60/70s based rock. They've been described as Blues Rock Psych. They were a huge hit at NVRF last year and we didn't hesitate to put their name down on the list for 2024!
Rhabstallion
Rhabstallion - a four piece all original NWOBHM band from Halifax, West Yorkshire are bringing their hard but melodic style of rock to venues thoughout the UK & Europe. Having played with bands such as Saxon, Trust, Diamond Head and The Tygers Of Pan Tang the Rhabs are comfortable on any stage. The onslaught of guitars and soaring vocals backed with the pounding drums and bass are not to be missed. This is a must see band.
Spriggan Mist
Appearances at events up and down the country, together with one at last year's Nene Valley Rock Festival has ensured The Spriggs audience has grown and grown. Their version of Prog is diverse , blending overdriven guitars with instruments such as saxophone, recorders and whistles - a perfect backdrop for charismatic vocalist Fay Brotherhood to tell stories in that unique singing voice, together with Jadoo Tribal Dance and Sword wielding tribal belly dance troupe.
The Room
The Room are a melodic rock band from the Southeast. The six band members bring together a broad range of musical influences which has helped form The Room’s distinctive style. Smart songs with great melodies are the essence of the band’s sound. The bands third studio album Caught by the Machine, became a favourite of many radio DJs at the end of 2018. Following the passing of guitarist Eric Bouillette in 2022, Simon Fisher joined in 2023 and will help with writing and recording the band’s next album.
Credo
Now celebrating over 20 years recording and playing, Credo’s rise may have been gradual but it has also been constant. They've now come to maturity, producing powerful, melodic and lyrically challenging rock music, with three critically approved albums to their name and a fourth nearing completion. They've also become one of the leading lights of the European progressive rock scene and we're really pleased to have tempted them to Grimsthorpe for this year's festival.
The Blue Lena
The Blue Lena are a UK rock band influenced by southern rock, blues rock and country rock.
The band’s debut album, Darkwood, released in November 2024 just ahead of their performances at WinterStorm and Planet Rockstock, received rave reviews in all the rock magazines, with Classic Rock magazine featuring The Blue Lena in their ‘Hotlist’ section, as a band to look out for in 2024. “Drenched in soul, with a nod to the likes of Free and The Black Crowes”- Fireworks magazine.
Saturday
Kingfisher stage
This stage will usually offer a clear contrast to the bands in our other marquee.
Comedy Of Errors
Formed in the mid 80s, they played the famous Paradiso Amsterdam and produced their self titled Mini album. The band reformed in 2009 for a one off album, but 6 albums later they are still going strong. They have played Rosfest USA, Terra Incognito Canada, Loreley Germany, 2Days Prog +1 in Italy plus lots of other gigs and festivals throughout the UK. All their albums have received excellent reviews and each one has also been released on vinyl; some of them as double albums.
Hekz
HeKz is a progressive rock band that stands at the crossroads of heavy metal legends and the luminaries of the prog rock genre. With each album release, they've sought to redefine and reimagine the progressive metal landscape, creating a unique and compelling musical experience. HeKz's fourth album, 'Terra Nova,' promises to be their most ambitious project yet. The band's rejuvenated live lineup consists of lead singer and bassist Matt Young, guitar virtuoso Mirko Fadda, the spellbinding Lucia LaRezza on violin and the percussion powerhouse Jerry Sadowski.
Blues Boy Kings
Sensational original blues rock band with exciting original songs from three albums!
Featuring singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist - Jason North; bass/vocals provided by extraordinary force of nature - Sammy J North; solid rhythm guitar/organ/ vocals from original BBK family member - Rich Taylor and finally a UK blues great, who needs no introduction, the shuffle king himself - Mark Barrett on drums. Don't miss this awesome true blues band!
Ghost Of The Machine
Ghost Of The Machine formed in January 2021 when five former members of This Winter Machine joined forces with Charlie Bramald (flautist for Nova Cascade and former lead vocalist for all-eras prog tribute Harmony of Spheres). Taking the best elements from their previous endeavours and key influences such as Rush, Marillion, Dream Theater and Genesis, while pushing forward in a heavier, adventurous and exciting direction, Ghost Of The Machine has recorded its debut album S'cissorgames' and embarked on a series of live dates.
The Mighty Ra
From the land of castles and dragons this Welsh four piece band have received awesome reviews for their debut album "All Secrets Known " and much praise for their live performances including Prog For Peart festival and Winter's End festival.
Original prog influenced by classic bands such as Rush, Pink Floyd, Genesis and Gong, described in Prog Magazine as "Enjoyable and Melodic"
We hope you like what you hear as much as we enjoy playing it, check us out at www.themightyra.com
Simone Galassi
Rock and blues musician from Italy, he offers original songs and some covers in classic 60s power trio style. The sounds are raw and dirty, pure rock with fuzz distortions.His style is very reminiscent of the giants of best rock, such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Cream, Rory Gallagher and Taste Grandfunk Railroad, Blue Cheer etc... all this mixed with funk rhythms and lots of groove!
Splink
Prog magazine said: "Splink set their joyous and sometimes mischievous space folk psych rock ball rolling with a hint of Solstice and Laid Back Curved Air!". Splink don't take themselves too seriously; Violinist Vikki Ings sports a permanent smile and with the madcap vocal shapes of Matt James their enjoyment is infectious. Themes evoke Hawkwind meets Zappa and the spirit of Ozric Tentacles! The band's plan is to build support through a series of great gigs, enabling them to grow their audience.