2025 Blackpool Tower Rock & Roll Weekender

Si Cranstoun & His Band

S I  C R A N S T O U N  is a fabulous throwback to the old swing blues shouters of the 1940s and 1950s. 

Si began his singing career as a successful classic soul club singer in the late 1990s around London where he enjoyed residencies with his band at the famous Hammersmith Palais and Clapham Grand.

In the early noughties he founded a busking vocal duo with his brother The Dualers originally harmonising a mix up of classic soul, ska and rock ‘n’ roll where Si went on to write, produce,  record and release their debut single   Kiss On The Lips which reached 21 in the UK national charts in 2004.

The duo continued to pound the pavements in the years that followed selling out London’s O2 Indigo with Si’s songwriting and vocals remaining a key ingredient on the albums they recorded up until 2011.

In 2012 Si returned back to a solo career having become a prolific bandleader and songwriter on the vintage scene with dance-floor hits Dynamo  and  Coupe De Ville  which still remained favourites on the old wooden floors.

In 2013 Si was signed to Warner Records  and championed by DJs Chris Evans and the late Terry Wogan where he was A listed on Radio 2 and Magic with the self penned hits Dance Forever More  and Caught In the Moonlight.

In 2015 Si wrote, produced and released A Christmas Twist which went viral on the net notching up over 12 million views.

In 2017 Si was signed to German label Ruf Records where he toured Europe with the Blues Caravan and released the album Old School featuring more self penned scene hits including Vegas Baby and Old School.

In 2018 Si was back in the spotlight reaching millions when an old 2010 dance clip of him street performing with his brother went viral. The clip, shot by a passer by, captured Si’s jovial home recorded version of a 1962 Jamaican Ska tune Don’t Stay Out Late. Si added a penny whistle, sped the tune up to a jig and created a dandy street dance.

In 2020 whilst in lockdown Si wrote and recorded an intimate unplugged album on his acoustic guitar Poems Unlocked which was officially released on iTunes and via his online shop early in 2021.

The Firebirds

A True 4 piece Rock & Roll band recognised as one of the finest Rock & Roll Bands in Europe. The Firebirds; Jim Plummer, Dan Plummer, Rich Lorriman and Paul Willmott are four first class musicians/vocalists able to cover the complete spectrum of music from the 1950s and 1960s, including rockabilly, doo wop, instrumentals and ballads.

Over the years, the band have a built a reputation in the country as the go to act when it comes to 50’s rock ‘n’ roll. This has led to the band being invited to perform alongside Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lonnie Donegan as well as the Holliday Sisters (Elvis’ original backing singers) to name but a few.

To date, the band have released three singles and twelve albums. The last five, recorded in their own studio and on their own label ‘Rockville Records’, include a Rock’n’Roll Special with Linda Gail Lewis the sister of ‘The Killer’ Jerry Lee, and two Doo Wop albums – the second featuring guest vocalist Den Hegarty of ‘Darts’ fame.

With the global commercial success of their back catalogue on music streaming services such as Spotify and iTunes, the band have embarked sell-out theatre tours across the USA as well as performing at music festivals across the country.

Their self-penned single ‘59 Ford has reached over 5 millions hits on Spotify and is recognised as a staple in any rockabilly collection.

The Jive Aces

Rounding off the weekend is the sensational Jive Aces.

Together for over 25 years, The Jive Aces have been keeping the show on the road for three decades and become renowned worldwide for their high-energy live show having toured in over 40 countries. The band aim to spread smiles and cheer with their swingin’ music and classic vintage style from crooning smooth ballads to blasting honking rhythm & blues. Having played for Her Majesty the Queen, selling out the Royal Albert Hall, becoming the first band to reach the finals of Britain’s Got Talent or just entertaining at one of their 250 live shows a year, they continuously showcase why they are the UK’s No.1 Jive & Swing band!

With their trademark yellow suits and a repertoire that stretches from the timeless tunes of the swing era to the glitz of the Rat Pack with a dash of classic rock ’n’ roll, they perform songs in their unique upbeat style by such great artists as Louis Prima, Bobby Darin, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis Jr. and Ella Fitzgerald as well as a selection of superb original tunes.

The Jive Aces have earned their reputation and won several important awards including the City Of Derry International Music Award, the Variety Club Of Great Britain Award for their contribution to music & charity work and several film festival awards for their high production value music videos.

They have worked with many celebrities such as Van Morrison, Chick Corea (who performs two songs on their “Recipe for Rhythm” album), Kenny Ball (appearing on their “King of the Swingers” album, Kenny’s last ever recording), John Travolta, The Proclaimers, The Undertones, Status Quo, Keely Smith, Jamie Cullum, Priscilla Presley and Kirstie Allie to name just a few.

When the Jive Aces released a music video for their upbeat version of a much-loved theme song in the UK, “Bring Me Sunshine” it immediately went viral and to date has over 3.7 million views on YouTube. It is so popular in fact that a Doctor in Seattle actually prescribed the video to his patients to cure "the blues"! Their version of the song has also been used in countless TV shows including thrice on “Strictly Come Dancing”.

Their new album, also called "Keeping The Show On The Road" celebrates the song that have become live favourites over the past few years and the band has aimed to pack in the energy of a live experience into the recording.

The band are now glad to be back on the road doing what they do best, delivering their high-energy vintage style entertainment to audiences of all ages!

The Kingcats

This five piece band love the music they play, and this is demonstrated when on stage. The Kingcats know well how to keep a dance floor filled, in fact the only complaint might be from the dancers wanting a break!

While the sound takes you back to The Sun Studio era, the Kingcats are not just a 50's cover band far from it. The delivery of Elvis, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent classics to name but a few, as well as tracks from some of the lesser known artists of the time will have you thinking you are in Memphis 55' but what sets The Kingcats apart is that when they strike up there self penned numbers you will not be able to tell the difference.

No wonder these guys are known as one of the hottest rock and roll bands around.

Mark Keeley's - Fakin Steven's - Plus Good Rockin' Tonight

After superb appearances at previous Venture Away Music Weekend gigs in Blackpool - this fabulous band is back once again in Blackpool in 2025.

Good Rockin’ Tonight have established themselves as the UK’s No1 Rock n Roll Show and are sensational whenever they appear. This band have been wowing audiences for the past 20+ years and long may it continue.

The band is fronted by the very talented and dynamic Mark keeley (lead vocals/Guitar/Piano) and they have even had TV appearances over the years as well. Mark Keeley is also going to bring his Fakin' Stevens show to Blackpool so be prepared to be taken back in time with all the Classic hits in his tribute show of Shakin' Stevens. The show is very visual and has all the high energy that took Shakin' Stevens to stardom.

This brilliant four piece is made up of Mark Keeley, John O’Malley, Kurt Simms & Daz Leggatt.