Ashburton's finest The Bay Horse, Ashburton on Sun 30th May 10

Just spent an entire weekend at the Ashburton Blues festival and saw almost every act there and as always enjoyed the fringe (you often find much better talent there).

We enjoyed Blue Swayed Blues and several other bands then we had a flyer presented to us in the street for an event called Beyond the Fringe and a band called El-cojones (it means the testicles in Spanish I was later told) and they were the real deal, not only did the play for over two and a half hours (something most bands don't do - you get one and three quarter hours if you are lucky) but they had the pub jumping and dancing with some great upbeat blues. We sang till out throats hurt.

Why oh why is this band not main stage they are the biz? We loved 'Back in the Night', 'Cell Block Number 9' with a double sax solo was outstanding, slide guitar Red Rooster was awesome and their version of BB King's "The Thrill Is Gone" was jaw-dropping. The highlight of the evening was the great Stevie Wonder number "Superstition".

Numbers from the Animals, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and many more. Festival organisers - are you listening?

 George, Mon 31st May 10

What a show The Galleon, Starcross on Sat 20th Mar 10

El-cojones returned to our pub for the first 4 years and have we missed them? Yes we have!

What a cracking night, these guys are pure fun and outstanding musicians too. We heard Dire Straits, The Stray Cats, The King of the Swingers song from The Jungle Book, AC/DC and even Dusty Springfield!

The onstage banter and ribbing of the crowd was dead funny and we roared at the "do you *** on first dates" song.

They seem to have a real knack for involving the crowd, they do requests although woe betide anyone who asks for Bryan Adams (someone asked for Cliff Richard and they did it)!

Come back soon boys, best band in here for years.

  Joe, Tue 23rd Mar 10