Beastie Fest 2: Wakefield Blues & Rock Festival

Join Leeds Blues Club for Beastie Fest 2, a blues and rock festival in tribute to Steve Beastie and Matt Long.

Steve Beastie was far more than a radio presenter - he was a passionate champion of live music and a true friend to musicians, promoters and music lovers everywhere. Through his radio shows, Steve gave established artists and emerging bands the same enthusiasm, encouragement and valuable exposure. If he believed in a band, he wanted everyone else to hear them too. His recommendations introduced Leeds Blues Club to some wonderful artists and helped shape many of the gigs we have promoted.

Matt Long was a truly exceptional musician, a brilliant guitarist and one of the brightest talents the British blues scene has produced. As the charismatic frontman, guitarist and principal songwriter of Catfish, Matt possessed that rare ability to completely command a stage. His electrifying guitar playing could be powerful, delicate, technically breathtaking and deeply emotional—sometimes within the same song. Combined with his soulful voice and natural stage presence, it made every Catfish performance memorable. We are honoured to be joined at Beastie Fest 2 by Burning Rope. Rising from the legacy of Catfish, Burning Rope bring together Paul Long, Adam Pyke, Alex Voysey and Mitch Weaving - four outstanding musicians with a powerful new musical identity.

Beastie Fest 2 celebrates these two exceptional talents, whose support and influence in the UK Blues community will not be forgotten.

Tickets for this event goes live at 10am Friday 11 September.

Line Up

Delivering a stellar line up of award-winning acts, the festival showcases artists who embody the heart and soul of blues music.

Doors open at 12.30pm with live music from 1pm.

Can’t make the full day? Evening-only tickets are available with access from 6pm.

1PM - Mississippi McDonald

Oli “Mississippi” MacDonald from London, England speaks quietly but makes music with real gravitas. Mac (as friends call him) is a rising star, having been honoured with a session by Cerys Matthews on her BBC Radio 2 Blues show, championed by Mojo Magazine, and given 3 UK Blues Awards. Both his fellow musicians and many music industry pundits predict big things for MacDonald.

His 2023 album Heavy State Loving Blues demonstrated how Mac’s gravitas has developed, matching his remarkable guitar playing with soulful vocals and strong original songs: here is a rising talent making his mark on the soul/blues scene.

2:15PM - Killin’ Floor

3:30PM - DC Blues

DC Blues are Yorkshire’s specialists in unfussy, straight-ahead blues with a bit of attitude. Paul Winn handles vocals and harmonica, Ben Darwin keeps the low end honest, Lloyd Massingham deals with anything involving strings and electricity, and Rob McNeil keeps time like it’s a personal mission.

Alongside playing, they’re also heavily involved in keeping the local scene moving — curating, hosting and organising York Blues Festival, and presenting the multi‑award‑nominated Blues from The Ouse radio show. They don’t dress it up. They don’t water it down. They just play proper blues, loud, tight and with a wink that says they’ve been doing this long enough to know better.

5PM - Burning Rope

Rising from the legacy of award-winning blues-rock band Catfish, Burning Rope bring together Paul Long, Adam Pyke, Alex Voysey and Mitch Weaving—four outstanding musicians with a powerful new musical identity.

Expect soaring guitar, commanding keyboards, rock-solid rhythms and songs that move effortlessly between soulful blues, melodic rock and full-throttle intensity. Their live performances combine exceptional musicianship with genuine emotion, making Burning Rope a band that deserves to be heard—and felt—on stage.

Their appearance will be especially meaningful as Beastie Fest 2 pays tribute to Steve Beastie and former Catfish frontman Matt Long.

6:30PM - Big Wolf Band

Big Wolf Band, formed in Birmingham in 2014 by Jonathan Earp, is a prominent UK blues rock act featuring Mick Jeynes, Tim Jones, Justin Johnson, and Arran Shangavi. Known for their explosive live performances, the band has received multiple UK Blues Award nominations and acclaim for their album "Rebel’s Journey," which reached #1 on various charts. They have gained national and international airplay, toured extensively, and supported artists such as Climax Blues Band.With endorsements from major gear brands, their achievements include finalist spots for UK Blues awards and nearly 3 million streams since 2017. Their live shows are known for their dynamic range—from hard-edged blues rock anthems to soulful ballads and groove-driven instrumentals—earning them a reputation as one of the most exciting live bands on the circuit.  

8PM - McHale’s Permanent Brew

Currently storming Rock/Blues Festivals around the UK, McHale's Permanent Brew are a band on the up.

in 2017, brought together by their shared love of guitar-based blues rock, they draw inspiration from the classic bands and recordings of the ‘60s & ‘70s and inject this with their own energy and spirit. As the band evolved, they released their debut, self-titled album and developing a sound that makes for an electrifying live set. Hard work and determination have seen McHale’s build a following in their native North West, including sharing the stage with legends such as Dr Feelgood, 60's psychedelic pioneers Atomic Rooster, Wishbone Ash, and Status Quo off-shoot, Triple J, Mountain, plus many others.

2026 saw them headline their first Festival at Nene Valley Rock festival, they have also been invited to play Firevolt Rock Festival, among many others throughout this coming year, and these will inevitably increase their profile, and push them to the forefront of the UK Blues and Rock scenes.

9.30PM - Lightning Threads

Fusing vintage blues-rock with soulful swagger. Forged in Sheffield, Lightning Threads carve a path of their own into groove-ridden territories.

Renowned for their electrifying performances and gritty sound, the band deliver raw, powerful riffs with searing solos echoing the spirit of classic rock legends of another time.

With a reputation for turning every venue into a happening, Lightning Threads bring an infectious energy that captivates audiences from the first note to the last. Their sound is immersed with emotion, intensity, and rock ‘n’ roll attitude, making them one of the most exciting acts on the UK’s independent music scene.

Feeling Peckish? Our food & drink vendors have something for everyone!