Page 61 - IONIndieMagazine Vollume 41 Nov/Dec2017

After the introductions, first up was a lovely young lady from Bristol, quaintly called “The Blues Princess” -- but I know
her as Elles Bailey, a blues and roots singer/songwriter. With her new album just released called “Wildfire”, she has
appeared at many popular festivals. But I was lucky to see her a short while ago at a private “gig in the garden”. Elles
and her band had 30 minutes to impress the judges with her set and she wasted no time setting the cavern on fire
(perhaps a “wildfire”?). It was a storming set from start to finish. With Elles bouncing off her band, they had the crowd

cheering with each song -- a fantastic opening to this challenge, with the band taking a much-deserved bow at the end
of their set. The judges were no doubt presented with a hard task as to how to mark them on that blazing opening
performance, given that once they cast their marks, the scores are collected before the next band takes the stage. Thus,
no going back to change the scores at the end, unlike in Memphis.

Check out the Elles Bailey video "Wildfire": https://youtu.be/HizOCpSY6hU

ELLES BAILEY
www.ellesbailey.com

Second up on stage is The Rainbreakers, another band I have had the pleasure of seeing perform live at Skegness 2 years
ago, so, I knew what to expect from them – a predictably stunning set from these lads from Shrewsbury. Bringing rocky
blues full of fresh sounds and pulsing passion, but with influences from the past, this band won a place on the main stage
at this year’s Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival. They were really having a great time on that famous stage, their song
“Heart of Gold” garnering great applause from the crowd – another very difficult call for the judges.