This group held a five-year tenure as Resident House Band at Liverpool’s iconic Cavern Club and later went on to support the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Joe Satriani, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, The Temperance Movement, ex-Whitesnake’s Bernie Marsden and even Bon Jovi at Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium.

In 2016, Xander & The Peace Pirates released their debut album, titled 11:11, on V2 Benelux Records. They recorded at the world-famous Wisseloord studios in Hilversum, outside of Amsterdam. The album went on to receive broad critical acclaim, with Classic Rock writing, “The novelty of frontman Keith Xander’s guitar approach – he lodges a plectrum in the hook of his prosthetic arm – is soon overshadowed by this band’s convincing splice of soul, blues and country.”  BBC Radio 2’s Whispering Bob Harris shared, “This band are just awesome, and take me right back to my OGWT days.”  

The Blues Bar in Harrogate is a “Rollicking night-time Blues Music Hangout and relaxed Daytime Café and Bar with a Funky Décor” according to their web site, and it’s difficult to improve upon that exact description.

It’s a small Café style venue in Harrogate Town Centre, literally a few seconds walk from the world famous Betty’s Tea Room & Café. The Bar has only a small stage, and probably fewer than 30 seats, but has a fantastic intimate atmosphere, and with an exceptional and varied program of top Live Entertainment every night of the week.

Check for occasional variations, but Martin Rose hosts a Jam Night every Monday and then the Acoustic Sessions every Tuesday, the fabulous Maurice Grumbleweed presents his relaxed Blues Night every Wednesday, with more than a touch of the humour that made him and his fellow Grumbleweeds into National Treasures, and Guest Bands / Artistes on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and double or occasionally treble up Bands all day on Sunday.

[Strongly recommended]

Xander & The Peace Pirates appear at The Blues Bar on Saturday 29th November 

(from 9.00pm)