HurleyFest

Formed in early 2018, four piece Americana band The Blue Highways have quickly cemented themselves as a fixture on the Americana scene in the UK. Having built a reputation as a commanding live act driven by big vocals, close harmonies, and narrative led songs, they’ve already supported some of the biggest acts in the genre including Iris Dement at the Sage Gateshead, and Bennett Wilson Poole on their first UK tour.

The band also appeared at numerous festivals over the summer including Summertyne Americana festival, Millport Country Music Festival, Noshville and Wild Tweed and are regulars on the London gigging circuit having recently played with The Fargo Railroad Co, Speedbuggy USA and Matt Woods and the Natural Disasters.

They recently performed at an Under the Apple Tree Showcase curated by Bob Harris, and in April are performing on the first ever Under The Apple Tree Tour in London at the O2 Academy Islington supporting Wildwood Kin, and in early 2019 will be performing a showcase at the Americana Association UK’s festival. Coupled with a new album in the works for a release in early 2019, produced by Chris Clarke (Danny and the Champs), the band is set for another big year.

Burnt in Blues, Soaked in Soul! - Kerrang!

Born and raised in the Great North but living these days down in the Southland with a steady mind and a thoroughbred plan, Mike writes soul wrenchin', riff bustin' songs that will make you want to share the tale of his life's journey and the lessons he's learned.

This winding road leads from England to Europe before jumping the Atlantic to New York, detouring way down south to Memphis and New Orleans via Clarksdale Mississippi and Nashville Tennessee, soaking up every scent and sound along the way before fetching up on the shores of Sussex with a lifetimes worth of tales to share.

This lad from the far North East has distilled the essence of the Deep South and West Coast of America - Blues In Britain

Mike takes listeners on a uniquely detailed and image packed history tour of the history of the music of the music he loves to play, beginning in the Mississippi Delta at the beginning of the 20th century and finishing up right back in the present moment with his powerful emotive voice and intoxicating virtuosic guitar playing carrying you every inch of the way.

Fuzzed up, fierce and full frontal fiery attack coupled with sexy, smooth slidin', southern soul! - Mojo Magazine

To experience Mike playing solo or with the other members of his 4 piece band egging him on is to see why one reviewer declared him 'soaked in soul & burnt in blues'.

Releases

Mike's first solo album, the Americana-tinged 'Spindrift' was released in 2014 to critical acclaim and reveals an introspective side to Mike's songwriting and performing. Tracks such as the honest, plaintive southern 6/8 soul feel of 'Lazy' and 'Don't Worry Baby, Just Call #2' contrast with the driving fuzz of 'Ran Thru Here' and the outlaw imagery portrayed in 'Been So Long'. The album takes listeners on a visceral aural journey of the heartlands of American legend.

New album “Jenny's Place” boasts a fuller and more muscular set of performances. The textures found here are thicker and sinewy, from the highway rolling 'Dakota Red' and the agonized blues of 'Dark Dowder' to the Petty-esque choruses and melodic structure of 'Jenny (Sun Goes Down)' and the bar-room swagger of 'The Big Picture' or 'Baby, I Love You'.

Press and radio support for Jenny's Place (and Spindrift) has been strong, with tracks steadily gathering airplay on both national and international radio stations since it's release earlier in the year.

Shows

With a reputation for incendiary live band shows and powerful yet intimate solo performances Mike has previous work with not only Black Crowes founder and guitarist Rich Robinson but also outlaw country legend Steve Earle already under his belt. The Brighton release show for the “Jenny’s Place’ album (filmed for upcoming TV and record release) was a sell out and the summer of 2016 will see Mike appearing at respected festivals such as Blues on The Farm in Sussex, Rambling Man Fair in Kent, Beautiful Days in Devon, Truck Festival in Oxford and a headline slot at Brighton's Trafalgar Street Party in July. The gig list for the remainder of the year is packed out and includes shows at venues such as Ain't Nothin' But & The 100 Club in London, The DeLaWarr Pavilion in Bexhill, Worthing Live Festival and upcoming support shows with blues 'royalty' Lucky Peterson.

There will also be national dates on a UK tour set to commence in the Autumn.