Gig Review: Mark Harrison / The Swaps
Rother Street Arts House, Stratford-Upon-Avon
29th April 2026
Perhaps we could consider William Shakespeare, as the poetic muse of blues, his tales of treachery, jealousy, love and loss so often the inspiration of blues. From distant lands of Leamington and Chipping Norton, musicians had been drawn to stage their play.
Much like the Bard, Mark Harrison, knows a thing or two about spinning a yarn, armed with a twelve string acoustic, Harrison introduces each song with an often witty, always informative story, drawing the listener in with tales of forgotten blues men (Eddie ‘Guitar’ Burns), all roads leaving Coventry, and his dalliances with the BBC.
Opening with ‘Everybody Knows’, Mark quickly proved that his reputation is built on more than just tall tales, running his fingers over his twelve-string, leading us into into a rootsy blues groove, complimenting his voice seemingly cracked and weathered, setting the mood for his tenure on stage. The rapt audience listened intently, responding conspiratorial laughter and applause. The toe-tapping ‘House Full Of Blues’ and hook-laden, ‘Them & Us’, finding their mark with the blues aficionados. Instrumental number, ‘Last Bus Home’, showcase’s Mark’s expressive guitar, proving you don’t always need words to create imagery. Harrison called up the curator of Rother Street Blues, Stephen Steinhaus to add his on vocal support on both, ‘Hell Of A Story; and the oddly upbeat, but engaging, ‘Crematorium Blues’, concluding a truly captivating set of acoustic blues roots.
Appetites whetted, thirsts quenched, Leamington’s favourites, The Swaps, took to the stage headlining the inaugural Stratford blues night, revealing, ‘Scars’, the trio grabbed the attention from the off. The guitar interplay between James Knight and Adam Phillips providing the perfect platform for Beth Brooks to effortlessly deliver her soulful croon, woven into the duo’s musical tapestry. The band follow up with the bluesy, ‘Negativity’, Beth diving into a lower, basement lead, tracking the deep harmonic guitars of James and Adam, weaving in and out creating an intoxicating spell.
With the audience in the palm of their hands, James takes over lead vocal duties for the evocative folk of, ‘Wolf#, showcasing a different side to the band. The Swaps follow up with a stunning rendition of, ‘I Put A Spell On You’, stripped to the bare on guitar and vocals, Beth given the perfect platform to unwrap her incredible vocal range, ending on a mesmeric crescendo. Elsewhere the band utilise a touch of slide to enrich the bluesy, ‘Chemicals’, whilst near duet, ‘Fever’, sees Adam providing a finger picked, blues groove, whilst Beth and James trade vocal chops.
The Swaps draw the curtain on the first Rother Street Blues night with a glorious take on the traditional gospel of, ‘Nobody’s Fault But Mine’, sending the audience into the night with a warm, fuzzy feeling, knowing they’ve just witnessed something truly special.
Keep an eye out on all the socials for the details of the next Rother Street Blues Night.
By: Will Munn