13:00 - 14:00 Alice Armstrong
Alice Armstrong was crowned Contemporary Artist of the Year for the second consecutive time at the 2025 UK Blues Awards, celebrating her powerful fusion of R&B genres.
Alice is an independent, multi award-winning R&B artist from the UK, reshaping nostalgic rhythm & blues grooves through a contemporary lens. Armstrong delivers heart-breaking ballads and toe-tapping tunes with a breathtaking vocal talent, sharp wit and electric stage presence, all backed by a world-class band.
She has one of the most emotional and far-ranging vocals, such a sweet and melodic voice, that, in an instant, she can blow the horns off the devil himself.
What a way to start the Festival.
14:15 - 15:15 West Weston's Bluesonics
Steve "West" Weston is one of the best Chicago/West Coast style players in Europe. His performance level of harp playing is held in high regards globally and rightly so too. Combine his blues harp talents with his vocals and charismatic performance, together with a great band, and you know that this show will be an absolute treat.
He is also a member of Roger Daltrey’s touring band and Mud Morganfield’s European band.
15:30 - 16:30 The Future Shape of Sound
The Future Shape Of Sound are a Rock’n’Roll, Gospel, Soul outfit based in East London spear-headed by producer/guitarist Alex McGowan.
Visualise a bunch of Rock’n’Roll, blues musicians and gospel singers coming together to rock it out in a circus tent! This outrageous collective is the ultimate example of uplifting music meets funky theatre. An absolute spectacle - you won’t know quite know what happened, but you’ll never be able to forget it! A band that re-evaluates what modern Rock’n’Roll really is.
16:45 - 18:00 Robbin Kapsalis & Oscar Wilson with the Giles Robson Band
Two stalwarts from Chicago grace the stage together with another of Europe’s finest harmonica players.
Robbin Kapsalis carries the soul of Chicago's Southside in her voice. Born among the echoes of the city's legendary blues scene and later shaped by Atlanta's rich musical heritage, she delivers performances that blend traditional blues grit with contemporary spirit. Her commanding voice exemplifies the emotional depth of classic blues while bringing a fresh, modern sensibility to the genre.
Oscar "Mr. 43rd Street" Wilson is a true torchbearer of Chicago blues, celebrated for his powerful voice, captivating stage presence, and deep connection to the genre's South Side roots. Born in 1953 on Chicago's iconic 43rd Street, Oscar grew up surrounded by the sounds and spirit of the blues. The son of blues guitarist and vocalist H.S. Wilson, Oscar's upbringing was steeped in a rich musical tradition. Oscar has been honoured with many blues industry awards and nominations. A true legend of our time.
Multi award winning, internationally recognised Blues harmonica virtuoso, singer and masterful showman Giles Robson has had a dream musical career. The ONLY European artist to appear on Chicago’s legendary Alligator Records who described him as “A blues giant, absolute master of the form”. He is only one of THREE UK blues artists alongside Eric Clapton and Peter Green to win a coveted Blues Music Award in Memphis (The Grammys of the Blues).
18:15 - 19:15 Alvin Youngblood Hart
Grammy nominated and winner, WC Handy award winner, Hart is known as one of the world's foremost practitioners of country blues. He is also known as a faithful torchbearer for 1960s and 1970s guitar rock, as well as western swing and traditional country. The cosmic American love child of Howlin Wolf and Link Wray'
Known as a 'musician's musician,' Alvin Youngblood Hart's praises have been sung by everyone from Bob Dylan to guitar gods Eric Clapton & Mick Taylor.
Boy got thunder in his hands! Sure does!" ... Alvin Youngblood Hart is that rare breed who brings cultural awareness and artistic expression into a vibrant, natural marriage. His skills as a multi-instrumentalist command attention. His music is pure pleasure and surprise.
19:30 - 20:50 Southern Avenue
We are truly blessed to have this exciting, young band exclusively in Inverness.
Southern Avenue, the Blues Music Award winning, Grammy nominated Memphis based, family band, plays original Memphis blues, modern soul and gospel infused roots music that is uplifting and timeless. They are known worldwide for their inclusive, message driven songs fuelled by hard hitting grooves and electrifying guitar.
The band is unlike any other on the scene today featuring lead vocalist Tierinii Jackson, her husband, guitarist/songwriter Ori Naftaly, and her sisters drummer/vocalist/songwriter Tikyra Jackson and percussionist/violinist/vocalist Ava Jackson.
They are among the most musically riveting and visually exciting live bands and are among the few ‘must see’ acts on the scene today, with inspiring church harmonies fuelled by the passion of Blues and Soul.
21:05 - 22:30 Fabulous Thunderbirds
Blues royalty and living legends, the T-Birds are another European exclusive act to come to Inverness from Austin, Texas.
For over 30 years, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been the quintessential American Blues band. The group’s distinctive and powerful sound manifested itself into a unique musical hybrid via such barnburners as Tuff Enuff and Wrap It Up. Co-founder Kim Wilson, the sole original member, still spearheads the group.
Muddy Waters called Kim Wilson his favourite harmonica player and vocalist. “Muddy Waters was very good to me,” Wilson says. “He almost adopted me. I’ll never forget him.”
In 1979, The Fabulous Thunderbirds released their first self-titled album. Primarily blues influenced, it became a cult classic. In subsequent releases, the band started to incorporate more Cajun, rock ‘n roll and soul influences.
Kim Wilson, the legendary harmonica virtuoso and frontman of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, is preparing for what may be his most personally meaningful tour yet. The upcoming "A Tribute to Chicago Blues" tour represents a homecoming of sorts for Wilson, who cut his teeth playing alongside the very architects of the Chicago blues sound.
Wilson's connection to Chicago blues runs deep, stretching back to his teenage years when he was fortunate enough to witness and learn from the masters themselves.
