Midnite lift-off for Darlington R'n'B Club

AMERICAN guitarist Midnite Johnny gets the new season under way at Darlington R’n’B Club. Originally from Florida and now based in England, he has toured extensively across the UK and Europe taking audiences to where “the roots of blues meet the hard edge of classic rock'n'roll".

The R’n’B club formed just over 21 years ago and moved to its current home, in The Forum Music Centre, when its original base, Darlington Arts Centre, closed.

Club spokesman Mike Prendergast says: “The blues scene in the UK has changed since the R’n’B Club formed. Then, it was mainly Chicago blues and west coast swing styles that were popular. Music is constantly changing, and we have to move with the times. It’s mainly rock-blues now, with nearly all the young British bands taking their direction from modern-day American musicians like Joe Bonamassa, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Walter Trout.”

“We don’t want to go full tilt in that one direction, and we know that not everyone likes rock-blues, so we put on a varied programme to try to please most R’n’B fans.”

Midnite Johnny is making a return visit to the club, but new acts this year include young British rock-blues band Red Butler and ex-Argent guitarist John Verity and his band.

The full line-up: Midnite Johnny (Jan 20), John Verity Band (Feb 10), Blues ’n’ Trouble (Mar 10), Red Butler (Apr 7), Sean Webster Band (May 12) and Wolfpack (Jun 9). All dates are Fridays, doors open 7.30pm. Tickets £12. Forum Music Centre, Borough Road, Darlington, DL1 1SG. Box office: 01325-363135.

Phil Lambell