Review: Upton Blues 2025
18th – 20th July 2025
It was that time of year again — they go round so quickly these days — a time when residents of Upton book a week away in an Airbnb if they’re not needed behind the bars and fast-food joints. Beer flows as surely as the Severn: some choice barrels, but mostly Hobson’s choice.
Pubs are bursting at the seams. ‘Live music’? Maybe — but the only way in is through the window (I speak from experience; I was younger back then). People cluster around buskers earning their beer money. A train rushes by. The queue is down to only 100 metres outside the chippy, and all is well.
Highlights are personal choices, but unmissable was the long-awaited return of LR Phoenix — his sonorous voice filling the church setting as his crocodile shoes walked him up the aisle with not a microphone in sight, or needed. Full-on early blues from a time when electricity was as infrequent as lightning.
Sticking in the acoustic mode, it was busy throughout — especially so for Thomas Heppell, acoustic award winner, but only carrying his electric guitars? Queues exceeded the chippy on full flow for Dom Martin, who was firmly acoustic, apologising for his one electric song. Nobody complained — the place was truly rammed. Had the angel Gabriel turned up at the door, he wouldn’t have got in. Dom, with band, would close Upton on Sunday evening — again, unmissable.
I’ll note one more appearance on the acoustic stage: the wonderful Spike Drivers, heading into retirement, and as brilliant as ever, riding their train into the sunset.
Outside, surrounded by burger bars, pizzas, coffee vans and pop-up bars, was the Riverside Stage — featuring Will Wilde and The Stumble on Friday night, The Bad Day (yeah, we all have them), and Wille and The Bandits. The fabulously entertaining Cinelli Brothers held court in The Meadow, where, incidentally, Saint Senara had opened the day — very effectively drawing the crowd in with their beautiful harmonic songs, dark lyrics, and sparkling performance. Hopefully heading for a higher slot, should they return.
The Swaps — an ever-popular band from Leamington — featuring the gorgeous, rich, honeyed voice of Beth Brooks. A bit of rain (it is Upton), and ponchos are handed out, the crowd appreciative of their transparent bin bags!
All this leading to Dom’s later gig on The Meadow Stage. Long gone are the days I would race between stages to capture and listen to as many bands as possible. I am more selective today, and am happy to walk away fully sated — despite the beer still flowing and the thump of bass resonating across the town.
And yes, I can manage without the chips, the crowds of happy campers, and the triggering of tinnitus in my ears — but it was a good year for bands I would choose to see, some of which will find their way down to Gloucester Blues Festival and later, that lovely little festival at Old Bush Callow End. Notable for its good ale and cider bar, and excellent food at normal prices — hoorah!
Did I mention Laurence Jones? No? Then I’ll just mention Laurence in The Meadow on Saturday — but confess I missed him. Sorry, Laurence
Words & Photography by Graham Munn