Monthly Archives: March 2026

Proud Mary formed in Manchester in 1998. Making their mark with a sensational debut album, they released ‘The Same Old Blues’ on Noel Gallagher’s Sour Mash records in the summer of 2001. While drawing influence from the canons of Dylan, The Rolling Stones and The Faces, singer Greg Griffin’s hair-on-end vocals and Paul Newsome’s accomplished songwriting offered a definitive style all their own. 

Written in just ten days and produced by Gallagher with assistance of Gem Archer at Wheeler End Studios in London, the album was a hit with press and public alike. Since then, the band have recorded a steady stream of follow-up albums on both sides of the Atlantic including 2004’s ‘Love and Light’ (also recorded at Wheeler End and notably featuring Andy Rourke of The Smiths on bass), the California recorded albums ‘Ocean Park’ (2010) and ‘Pilgrim Fields’ (2013), plus sublime most recent effort ‘Songs From Catalina’ (2020), which was recorded over a 5 month period in the Santa Catalina area of Palma in Majorca.

Alongside headline tours and a notably phenomenal main stage appearance at Isle of Wight Festival in 2004, Proud Mary have also supported world class acts the likes of Oasis, Neil Young, The Stereophonics, Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene, Ryan Adams, and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds over the course of their career to date.

Cementing their reputation as an unbeatable live act, over two decades and five albums on, the band will be back in the van and revisiting the songs that have made them a favourite among rock’n’roll musos ever since. Catch them live in 2026 and at an intimate venue near you. 

Support at select dates will come from rising Manchester-based quintet Rosellas, whose blend of indie, guitar-music and psychedelia influences on EPs and singles such as “Born Under A Cloud” have seen them turn heads. 

Whilst in Manchester, Crewe legends The Train Set will be appearing as special guests. Releasing their first 12” EP ‘She’s Gone’ in 1988, the classic track became single of the week in NME and the highest new entry in the Indie chart from the off. Touring with The Happy Mondays and James in the late 80s, they released a second 12” EP ‘Hold On’ in 1989. Fast forward to 2016 and the release of the ‘‘Never California’ compilation, the nucleus of the band: Clive Jones, Adam Halford and Dave Hassall decided to get back together. With guitarist Jason Woolley (ex Angels With Dirty Faces) and bassist Andy Pennance (ex Colours Out Of Time) joining the set-up, The Train Set have performed recently at the 2025 ShiiineOn Festival in Skegness and are even writing and recording new material at Wanderlust Sound Studios in Shropshire. Expect to hear new tracks and deep cuts at this special guest slot in 2026.