about the band
Raw - Powerful - Versatile and Authentic Rhythm & Blues with a soft rock edge!
That's where this journey begins....
The Festival Blues Band are a Greater Manchester based' rhythm and blues focussed band whose members are drawn from different working bands.
The band is keen to support events and venues known for their promotion of 'live music' and play a vital role in maintaining our local music scenes.
Now here's a thing... The band won't be officially launched until March 2027.
However, a couple of short notice, under the radar, warm up gigs are planned, so who knows, you may get a chance to catch this band in advance of it's own launch. Please feel free to follow the band on Facebook for latest news, happenings and gig updates.
The band's main purpose is to play the festival circuit as well as visiting various Blues Clubs and local venues keeping music live in our communities.
The Festival Blues Band will thrive on serving up an array of traditional, modern and original rhythm & blues influences tinged with a soft rock edge.
The music is driven by a solid voice, a tight rhythm section and powerful guitars that generate a unique and engaging experience, with a song portfolio containing familiar classic takes, a few surprises, and some new original material.
The Festival Blues Band are:
Paul Shelton - Vocals - The UK's leading Paul Rogers (Free / Bad Company) Tribute
Greg Davies - Guitars/Vocals - World Class Musician and experienced Sessionist
Steve Gibson - Drums - In demand Session/Tour drummer (Sad Cafe / Van Morrison)
Kevan Thomas - Bass/Double Bass (Golden Age Big Band)
Terry Snowden MBE - Keys/Vocals - (The HEROES / Branded)
So here we are, right at the start of the story so far - You're welcome to follow the band and check out the merch. We're glad you're here to be a part of the story.
Paul Shelton
With over 35yrs experience, Paul Shelton is certainly a seasoned vocalist
Paul's powerful presence and vocal performances have graced many stages, both large and small, from where he has fronted a wide range of rock and blues bands.
More recently Paul has been entertaining thousands as a Free/Bad Company tribute frontman. .
Although rooted in rock, his true musical home has always been the blues—where raw emotion, vocal power, storytelling, and authenticity take center stage.
He has a voice built on decades of strength, passion, experience, and a deep connection to the blues. He says he now feels like he's home, and it's all about the blues!
Greg Davies
Greg Davies is a reserved and unassuming guy who prefers to let his guitars do the talking, and boy can they converse with the best!
As a seasoned musician with more than three decades of live performance experiences under his belt, Greg first took to the stage at just 12 years old.
He has recorded and performed with numerous acts and released several solo albums alongside developing a strong reputation as a versatile session musician along the way.
Greg worked with Steve Harley and Stone Roses producer Mark Tolle for over 20yrs and more recently has been working on project's with The Halle' Orchestra.
He also 'guests' with a range of bands and artists while undertaking recording projects that continue to demonstrate his skills and expand an already enviable creative output.
Steve Gibson
Steve Gibson is a well accomplished, very experienced drummer who has played with various bands. Touring has taken him all over Europe (Russia, Serbia and Croatia) and across the world (New Zealand and Australia).
Alongside being an in-demand session drummer, Steve is currently a member of early 80's soft rock hit makers Sad Cafe.
He worked for many years with 60’s legend Chris Farlowe and performed across Europe with American guitarist Larry Garner.
His resume also extends to gigs, tours and sessions with Jack Bruce, Buzzcocks, Ian McNabb, Heartland, Van Morrison, Starlite Campbell, Trent Cappa (Nashville), Norman Beaker and John Verity to name just a few.
Kevan Thomas
Kevan Thomas loves to provide a prominent, melodic bass foundation that allows others to showcase their skills, and while he loves more rock-based music, it's the blues with is rich history and variety, that he loves most.
Terry Snowden MBE
Although a relative newcomer to the world of Rhythm & Blues, Terry Snowden is a pretty versatile musician, music producer and radio presenter with lots of experience spanning a wide range of interests across many years.
In the 1980's he was one of the pioneering presenters actively promoting unsigned bands and unsigned music scenes via his BBC radio show in Manchester. More recently his community focussed radio show's have been nationally recognised.
Terry's previous bands include: Black Moon - Glass - Beau Leisure -
The HEROES - The Exceptional Remarkables and he currently plays keys in the band Branded.