tag:www.kingb.biz,2005:/blogs/news?p=4News2023-06-27T11:03:53+01:00KingBfalsetag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/72330542023-06-27T11:03:53+01:002023-10-16T15:45:50+01:00Thank you Charlbury ... <p>… for a perfect Beer Festival on Saturday: the sun shone, the beer lasted out, the crowd was great, the music stage was brilliant. 2,000 people, 6,000 pints, and many £1,000s raised for charity. Who could ask for more? Thanks especially to Kieron and Ian for looking after the stage, and to Martin, master of the sound. And of course to all the committee and the volunteers who make this day amazing!</p><p>Hopefully we'll get some pictures up in a while …</p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/71363/d3766fc1bcfcae53e102517953315fd1c36ddf08/original/another-beer-please.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/71494962023-02-06T17:55:17+00:002023-02-06T17:55:18+00:00Church Hanborough Beer Fest ... what a day!<p>To Steve the Rector, Christian and Luciana the brewers, the 25 musicians in 8 acts, the bell-ringers, the pizza makers, and the dozens of community volunteers: thank you all for making Saturday such a great day! And to anyone who wasn't there, be sure not to miss it next time!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/71363/ddcca580f9f624071959045a02a53712e9884e95/original/24176746-151266362265667-5069724316656207629-n.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/70768622022-10-07T21:40:30+01:002022-10-07T21:40:30+01:00Back and firing on all cylinders ... <p>Gutted as we were to miss the Charlbury Beer Festival, we're back at the same venue on Friday for another great community and beer-based event - the Charlbury Oktoberfest! Looking forward to it all ... </p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/69991132022-06-22T11:16:14+01:002022-06-22T11:16:14+01:00Aaaaargh ... COVID again!<p>So sorry - we've had to pull out of performing at the Charlbury Beer Festival this Saturday because COVID has struck. Hopefully next year - fourth time lucky?!</p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/69926172022-06-13T12:04:47+01:002022-06-13T12:04:47+01:00Excited!<p>We are so very excited to be back at the Charlbury Beer Festival ... how we have missed it in the last two years! The band is busy polishing up its best numbers for a great day out on 25 June. Hope we'll see you there!</p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/67370462021-09-06T11:02:24+01:002021-09-06T11:02:24+01:00Hats off to the Hand and Shears<p>Sally and Patrick and the team at the <a contents="Hand and Shears " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://handandshears.co.uk/">Hand and Shears </a>were awesome last night. Great atmosphere, amazing 'blues menu' food - let's hope we can do it again soon!</p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/67098822021-08-07T18:10:23+01:002021-08-07T18:10:23+01:00Thank you Charlbury!<p>Thank you to Charlbury and especially to the Cricket Club for hosting us last night. A great evening, not what you'd call warm for August, but it was dry and sunny and the crowd was really welcoming. We loved it!</p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/67039382021-08-01T21:14:41+01:002021-08-01T21:14:41+01:00Really back? Fingers crossed!<p>It has been soooooooooo long! Cancellation after postponement after cancellation - it has all been so disappointing. But now, hopefully, we're back in action with two gigs, one of them outdoors, and we can finally get back into playing some real blues for real people! Do please come and say hello and give us a big smile. </p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/66445622021-05-31T08:06:31+01:002021-05-31T08:09:37+01:00Music is back!<p>It has been a horrendous year for live music and musicians, but things may be about to restart at last. We've got two fantastic events in the calendar, and we're just hoping government guidelines will allow them both to proceed as planned. We'd love you to be there with us!</p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/61976302020-01-31T00:43:19+00:002020-01-31T00:48:47+00:00Back in the woodshed<p>For a few months the band has been all over the place - travelling that is - and doing some interesting projects, but now we're back working hard on new numbers for the summer season. And the season is shaping up nicely, with some great festival gigs and parties, plus a couple of appearances at our favourite, the White Hart of Wytham. All details coming soon!</p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/56069402019-01-22T16:03:50+00:002019-03-09T19:03:11+00:00New video<p>We've a <a contents="hot new video" data-link-label="video" data-link-type="page" href="/video">hot new video</a> of Claire strutting her stuff with the band in funky mode, from our January visit to Tap Social. Ian Siegal's 'Hard Pressed'. Definitely the good sort of winter blues!<br> <iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="foArfp52Png" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/foArfp52Png/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/foArfp52Png?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/54226662018-09-10T19:58:58+01:002018-09-10T19:58:58+01:00Summer’s gone but kingB is back ...<p>We’ve had a bit of radio silence over the summer, with members of the band busy travelling and even getting married! But we’re back with a couple of great gigs, showcasing very different parts of Oxford’s lovely music scene. From the spectacular riverside location of the Cherwell Boathouse, famous for its restaurant and punt station, to the industrial cool and creative social space of Tap Social, we think we’ve got a good mix for you. We hope we’ll see you soon. </p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/52316172018-05-13T11:29:00+01:002018-05-13T11:29:00+01:00White Hart today: it's on!<p>The weather is looking good and we've confirmed with the venue that we'll be on stage in the garden of the White Hart of Wytham, this afternoon from 5.30pm. Maybe wrap up a bit warm, but come and enjoy your first outdoor gig of the year, with the pub's excellent BBQ. See you there!</p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/51103762018-03-04T14:38:42+00:002018-03-04T14:38:42+00:00Food from Ethiopia and Eritrea<p>We just heard the good news that Saturday's gig at Tap Social will feature Lula’s Ethiopian/Eritrean Cuisine. Their spicy delights are often enjoyed at Gloucester Green Market, and now you can combine them with kingB's tasty blues!</p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/50486322018-01-28T22:48:10+00:002018-01-28T22:48:10+00:00The dark days of winter - in the studio<p>So, what has kingB been up to in the last couple of months? Recording, that's what! We're working on what we've called old blues, new blues and our blues: some classic Chicago-style numbers, some of the best recent songs in the genre, and then a couple of our own originals. It will be the first proper recording by our current line-up. And it's sounding pretty good so far!</p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/48754402017-10-03T19:07:12+01:002017-10-03T19:07:12+01:00In appreciation of Paul Oliver<p>We were sorry to hear recently of the death of Paul Oliver, international authority on the history of the blues. He lived and worked in Oxford for many years, and we were privileged to have him in our audience on several occasions. Having first heard the blues in wartime England, he travelled America in the 1960s, doing interviews and field recordings of the early generation of blues musicians, and introducing them to a wider public with his books. Astonishingly this was really a sideline to his 'day job' in architectural history, which led him eventually to Oxford Brookes University. Here's what the New York Times had to say: <a contents="www.nytimes.com/2017/08/17/arts/music/paul-oliver-authority-on-the-blues-dies-at-90.html" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/17/arts/music/paul-oliver-authority-on-the-blues-dies-at-90.html" style="" target="_blank">www.nytimes.com/2017/08/17/arts/music/paul-oliver-authority-on-the-blues-dies-at-90.html</a></p>
<p> </p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/47899392017-07-24T10:47:57+01:002017-07-24T10:50:33+01:00Thank you the White Hart<p>Wow - a fine weekend! After a Saturday performance in an Oxfordshire vineyard, we spent Sunday in the ancient walled garden at the White Hart of Wytham. Thank you to Baz and the crew at the White Hart, and to all our friends and supporters who turned out in droves to enjoy this brilliant venue. It was one of those fortunate combinations of music, place, people, food, drink - and even the weather was kind. We've got a bit of a holiday break coming up, but we're looking for a date to go back there as soon as we can.</p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/47761762017-07-12T16:27:32+01:002017-07-12T16:27:32+01:00' ... and a big round of applause for the NHS!'<p>Applause for the NHS in our set on Sunday was a first for us, but much deserved, what with our singer on stage with a stitched-up hand and our bassist recovering from a hip op! Thanks also to the brilliant Richard Horrocks for stepping in on bass and driving the set along so well.</p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/47761592017-07-12T16:10:12+01:002017-07-12T16:13:48+01:00Cornbury - thank you and good night!<p>We did it! Having opened the very first Cornbury Music Festival in 2004, we played out the final one in 2017. As the sun set magnificently over Great Tew Park on Sunday, we played our favourite numbers to a lovely crowd, and you can almost feel the atmosphere in our <a contents="new gallery" data-link-label="gallery" data-link-type="page" href="/gallery">new gallery</a>. Thank you, Hugh Phillimore, for an awesome festival, Andy Pickard and friends for the oh-so-cool Riverside Stage, and Bruce Wilson for most of the gallery photos.</p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/45979662017-02-19T23:19:28+00:002017-06-07T10:53:49+01:00Festivals festivals<p>Summer 2017 is looking good already: we're expecting to be on stage at the final Cornbury Music Festival, 7-9 July. Watch this space for details!</p>KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/44000962016-10-02T12:00:22+01:002016-10-02T12:00:22+01:00Thank you, Vicky Arms!Thank you to the Victoria Arms for hosting a great gig last night ... and thank you to our lovely audience for making it special! A special shout out goes to the <a contents="Oxford Blues club " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.jivelive.com/oxfordblues/oxfordblueswelcome.html" target="_blank">Oxford Blues club </a>dancers who led the way with some groovy moves. And of course to the hard-working staff who kept everyone supplied with food and drink. We hope to see you all again soon.KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/43362842016-08-22T19:27:51+01:002016-08-22T19:28:18+01:00Island in the sunThis week some of us are excited to be heading off to do an acoustic trio gig on a rather nice Greek island! If you happen to be passing through Antiparos, just email us for details, and you can come and buy us an ouzo ...KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/42522472016-06-27T23:54:22+01:002016-06-27T23:54:22+01:00Charlbury!What an excellent Beer Festival, people of Charlbury! A great day notwithstanding the rain - which politely missed our set altogether, though other bands were not so lucky. We've used the view from the stage in our header images above. Thank you!KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/40326462016-02-09T18:43:57+00:002016-02-09T18:44:50+00:00Videos please!Does anyone out there have any decent (and recent) footage of the band? We'd love to post something here! Just drop us a line if you have: <a contents="buzz@kingB.biz" data-link-label="" data-link-type="email" href="mailto:buzz@kingB.biz" target="_blank">buzz@kingB.biz</a>. Thank you!KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/39031832015-10-19T23:17:16+01:002015-10-19T23:17:16+01:00Our 'new' line-upLong-standing fans will know we've gradually developed our line-up over the last year or two - and finally we have a selection of mugshots on the website to prove it! Have a look at the <a contents="new page " data-link-label="the band" data-link-type="page" href="/the-band">new page </a>to see these good-looking guys and gal.KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/38137512015-08-10T19:12:32+01:002015-08-10T19:12:32+01:00Cornbury - we love you xWere you there? Wasn't it great? We had a fab time at <a contents="Cornbury Music Festival" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.cornburyfestival.com/" target="_blank">Cornbury Music Festival</a>! Despite overlapping with some international household names on the other stages (Lulu and Martha Reeves), we drew a big happy crowd with a great vibe. We have some characterful photos from Jean Glendinning and Bruce Wilson in our <a contents="Gallery " data-link-label="gallery" data-link-type="page" href="/gallery">Gallery </a>- take a look!KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/37693002015-07-08T00:28:30+01:002015-07-08T00:28:30+01:00Cornbury!!!It's here again! Some of us will be setting off as early as Thursday for the lovely Great Tew Park in north Oxon, in anticipation of a fabulous weekend of music at the <a contents="Cornbury Music Festival" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.cornburyfestival.com/" target="_blank">Cornbury Music Festival</a>. We'll be appearing on the <strong>Riverside Stage at 8.10pm on Saturday</strong>, and playing for 40 minutes: please please please come and say hello! (You'll still be in time for Tom Jones). And for the rest of the weekend, we'll be right at the front for Larkin Poe (5.30 Friday), Staxs with Joss Stone (5.30 Sunday) and Joanne Shaw Taylor (7.30 Sunday). It's looking good!KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/36669552015-04-20T15:35:34+01:002015-04-20T15:35:34+01:00Our Oxford Blues headerA big thank you to our friends at the Oxford Blues dance club for sharing their April event with us, and to Jean Glendinning for capturing the mood so well in our new big blue header image!KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/34450082014-12-30T15:13:56+00:002014-12-30T15:13:56+00:00Charity gig updateWe're delighted to say that not only did we have an amazing night at the Hand and Shears yesterday, with at least 80 people joining us, but we raised £553 for Cancer Research UK. Thank you to everyone who came along, danced and donated. We are privileged to know such a fabulous crowd of people!KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/32187282014-10-06T00:03:51+01:002014-10-06T00:05:50+01:00Woodstock Live - great photosRemember that day back in August, when the sun blazed, the crowd cheered and we all had a big street party? There are some great photos by Pawel Sytniewski: <a contents="great photos by Pawel Sytniewski" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://luckybluephotography.pixieset.com/woodstocklive2014/saturdaypart2/" target="_blank">http://luckybluephotography.pixieset.com/woodstocklive2014/saturdaypart2/</a> Take a look and catch the feeling!KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/31451822014-08-20T00:47:16+01:002014-08-20T12:10:54+01:00Photo thanks ... ... for our new header pictures to Jean Glendinning (Riverside 2014) and Stu Allsopp (Woodstock 2013). Don't they just hit you with the feel of live music?KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/31432372014-08-19T00:29:22+01:002014-08-19T00:29:22+01:00Riverside - wow!!We've been lucky enough to take the stage a few times at Charlbury Riverside Festival over the years, but we all agreed this was definitely the best yet! Well done, Andy and all the crew - you are awesome!KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/30841662014-07-18T09:19:02+01:002014-07-18T09:19:02+01:00Starstruck!Thank you to the Seven Stars at Marsh Baldon for your excellent beer festival at the end of June: fine beers, great weather and The Shakedown Prophets to gig with in your splendid garden. We reckon you should do it again!KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/29568352014-05-19T19:36:01+01:002014-06-22T23:51:53+01:00'You can't beat English Blues''You can't beat English Blues - when I came back from Vietnam I went to the first Isle of Wight festival' - thank you to the guy from the States who said that after our White Hart gig! If you're reading this, maybe you'd like to join the mailing list (below)? Thanks for coming along - and dancing - anyway! A fine venue and a great evening.KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/28766282014-04-17T00:24:13+01:002014-04-17T00:24:13+01:00Thanks for the party ...Thanks to all those who came over to the New Inn on Saturday - didn't we have a ball! And special thanks to Simon Fenn, who joined us on drums for the first time, and to Pete Crowther who brought his big smile and his amazing guitar licks. We shall be back there in November.KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/28489972014-04-06T22:32:59+01:002014-04-06T22:32:59+01:00Met Office updateWe're pleased to announce that, despite the New Inn's wintry-looking Facebook picture (right), the Met Office is forecasting <strong>no snow </strong>for Saturday's gig. You can just expect the usual rain outside, but inside the pub it will be hot hot hot!KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/28096152014-03-25T21:16:19+00:002014-03-25T21:16:19+00:00Beer festival time!Good news - we've just been asked to play at a beer festival. Can't beat 'em. Hoping to confirm details shortly!KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/23516092014-01-09T00:01:08+00:002014-01-09T00:05:05+00:00Happy 2014 from all the bandWe're kicking off the year in style at the iconic Jericho Tavern, and setting up new gigs as we speak - so watch this space as the year unfolds. We have new photos for you, from October's Jive+ Ball: a feast of glitz, glamour and sexy dance-floor moves, as you can see <a contents="here" data-link-label="gallery" data-link-type="page" href="/gallery" target="_blank">here</a>. And we're pleased to report that a LOT of people got our CD <strong>Down at the Blues Café </strong>in their Christmas stocking ...KingBtag:www.kingb.biz,2005:Post/17924562013-10-06T20:13:38+01:002013-10-06T20:14:42+01:00Now for Modern Jive!Wow, Woodstock Live did it again - a big crowd, a great night! Next up is something different again: we're the live band for our friends at Jive+ on 26 October. What's that? Well, it's <em>Modern Jive</em>! The dance style originated in France and came over to the UK in the 1980s, really gaining momentum in the 1990s. They say '<span style="font-style:italic;">Modern Jive</span> is the easiest partner dance to learn and most people can pick up a few moves even after their first evening. It has elements of<span style="font-style:italic;"> Rock'n'Roll</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Salsa</span>, but is easier than either.' Are you up for trying it out with us?KingB