SpideWriter

To Speak From Experience: Ross Stewart, Live at The Holloway This album was brought to my attention via an Instagram post from @rossstewartofficial  I had not immediately realised that I had heard it all before, but that was no bad thing, as I was in the audience the very, very warm evening when Ross Stewart and his band showcased the launch of the EP Purpose . This latest release from Stewart contains no new material, but it does demonstrate the continuing artistic progress of the Long Stratton based singer-songwriter and is an enjoyable, high quality recording of a great set performed in the sweaty confines of The Holloway, in September, 2025.  This release underlines the developing quality of Stewart's song-writing.  He paints vivid pictures taken from life's joyous and difficult moments.  His poetic lyrics say all that is needed to broad-brush experiences, use imagery sensible to the story and he takes pleasure in working in different song structures. Having cut ...

Going Down A Storm at The Holloway Ross Stewart Launches Debut EP 'Purpose' with Acoustic Set    Friday 5th September, 2025 It has been said that my reviews often could be summarised by “I loved it!” This is true to an extent, because if a band is not my cup of tea then I am not going to use precious time writing about them.  I suppose if an act were to be wholly offensive and worthy of a story, then I might write something, but as I was a teenager when Punk Rock arrived, it is unlikely that I’ll be shocked by weak re-treads of the publicity-seeking antics of the Pistols – who I loved, (obviously).    I thought it best to share that by way of introduction, as I am still glowing with pleasure at hearing a superb set from Ross Stewart and his band at the Holloway, 2 St Lawrence Steps, off St Benedict’s, Norwich, last Friday, 5 th  September.  Stewart released his debut EP the previous Friday and this sold out show for thirty paying music lovers...

Fall From Grace Latest release by Ross Stewart New Single launches 29 th  May 2025 Two things to get your teeth into straight away with Ross Stewart's new single  Fall From Grace:   it’s another great, bouncy tune; you get to bask in the sheer joy of a needle-sharp Stewart rock guitar solo that is hard as diamonds.  It is the kind of guitar solo you feared might be lost in the Digital Age, but here it is, a solo that makes you want to unpack an air guitar and spin round the room, eyes squeezed tight shut. Lyrically, Ross Stewart continues to explore his growing awareness of emotions, life and the kind of mistakes that can seem catastrophic early in adult life.  His latest song poses the question  Is it a fall from grace, or is it just getting older?  The song   ends with a cry for help for the over-whelmed voice,  I’m drowning, I’m drowning .   There is no attempt to push trite answers. The power of the vocal delivery...

Ross Stewart Steps Up Sold Out Show Worth The Wait  Voodoo Daddy's Showroom. Tuesday, 28th January, 2025 Ross Stewart at Voodoo Daddy's  It took him a while, but at last a headline set from Ross Stewart for which the audience had to pay to get in.  I first saw Stewart playing in the Walnut Tree Grapes when the Norfolk Blues Society returned to action after the pandemic.  The Walnut Tree in Old Post Office Court was a godsend to fans of quality live music.  My life in the city was transformed by the place, introducing me to the local music scene, in which Ross was just becoming established because of his truly outstanding ability to rock a guitar, make it weep, make it sing.  Astonishingly, the young Scot's talent with the guitar is matched by a voice that he has managed to nurture and develop in tandem with his playing.  Ross has played at The Champion, The Lamb, The Reindeer, The Brickmakers, (amongst other pubs) as well as being an opening act at Nor...

The Big Gig: Santiago and The Soulmovers with Mississippi MacDonald At the Dereham Memorial Hall,  Saturday 25 th   May 2024  Doors at 19:00h Show Starts 20:00h Tickets £17 each Presented by Norfolk Blues Society  Every blues and music fan in the country, will be crossing off the weeks until the 10 th   Dereham Blues Festival  that runs 10 th   / 11 th   / 12 th   / 13 th   and 14 th   July, but for me that seems a way off yet.    So, this  weekend, on Saturday 25 th   May , to help keep everyone going and to give a foretaste of what's to come, the Norfolk Blues Society has laid on the Big Gig at the Dereham Memorial Hall . A thriller of a double bill of blues is lined up, with Santiago and The Soulmovers and Mississippi MacDonald .   Santiago and his compadres, The Soulmovers, Juan Gasco (drums) and Thanos Papageorgiou (bass) went down an absolute storm at the 2023 Dereham Blues Festival and are comin...

CHAMPFEST The Champion, Chapelfield Road Saturday 23rd / Sunday 24th March 2024 Champfest 2024  Every Monday evening in the front bar of The Champion there is a gathering of songwriters and musicians who under the gentle guidance of Pete Turrel and John Fennel test out new material, refine revised songs, or just practice with the aim of getting some honest and trustworthy feedback. It is not an open mic for audience entertainment, but a musicians' circle for musicians and Chris The Poet. Some seriously good musicians attend this event and the licensee, Jackie has said that this event is her most enjoyable evening of the pub week. And so it came to pass that ten years into her tenure as landlady, Jackie organised Champfest, which for a £5 wristband a punter could enjoy Happy Hour prices all Saturday and Sunday and listen to  some of the city's most popular local musicians. I duly u-turned my motor and popped in for a wristband on my way home from playing footy on the Monday eve...

Ross Stewart releases his debut single Land’s End Available online from 4th August, 2023  Ross Stewart has made quite a name for himself around East Anglia over the past couple of years.  He has cut his teeth as a guitarist playing blues, rock and soul, but everyone who has seen him perform on stage will have been knocked out by his singing too. The man can put on quite a show, whether solo or with his band, RSG . Land’s End is his debut, self-written single. It is being digitally released on Friday 4th August, 2023  with an accompanying video. The song is something fresh, lively and hopeful. Those who heard about this forthcoming release during his stunning set at Dereham Blues Festival 2023 , will be delighted by its uplifting and melodic feel. This song is a bright response to obstacles that life tends to throw at us. It will be enjoyed by anyone who has any spark of feel-good pop music in their soul. The track starts with a bright splash of jangling guitar and ...

Danielle Nicole Band, Ross Stewart & The Shunters, Rockavox Dereham Blues Festival 2023, The Memorial Hall, Dereham   Wednesday, 5 th  July 2023   With an itinerary of Camden Town, Dereham, somewhere in Sweden (via Oslo to a destination that was not clear to the guitarist, Brandon Miller), the intrepid Danielle Nicole Band from Kansas City, have had to face up to some logistical challenges in the past few days.  Happily, such challenges were pushed aside by Nicole and her band and the evening ended with roars of appreciation and a standing ovation from the knowledgeable audience who had been totally engrossed in the show from the opening beats. Danielle Nicole Band, Ross Stewart with Doreen and Stewart Aitken of  The Dereham Blues Festival 2023 (Photo: Caroline Stewart) On the night, there were two other issues to address.  Firstly, where to get a drum kit from in Dereham, less than 24 hours before headlining the gig?  Award winning...