Old Bush Blues

10/11/2024

7 ...................................... Farnborough :)

10/11/2024

1,2,3,4,5,6...................................... Coventry :)

10/11/2024

10/10/2024

When you run a blues festival (especially one that's been going for 25 years) it's really not unusual to see fantastic musicians and blinding performances.
But every now and then, someone who is truly special turns up. Matthew Long was such a person.
Catfish played at the very first reincarnation of the Old Bush Blues in Callow End in August 2015, and have played most years ever since. Even then, at the tender age of 20, Matt demonstrated a skill, feel, charisma and the ability to hold an audience that was way beyond his years. And whilst they are all phenomenal musicians, I’m sure even the rest of Catfish would concede that it was obvious who the real star of the show was.
He quickly endeared himself to audiences far and wide, and turned the heads of fantastically accomplished guitarists (particularly) who had many years on him, and through it all he always managed to retain a rare humility, and a buoyant, refreshingly down-to-earth nature that only boosted his popularity.

To be taken so young and so cruelly, only adds to the loss - a tragic loss for his close friends and family, and, even if you weren’t lucky enough to know him, a painful loss to the blues scene in the UK.
He will be sorely missed.
RIP Matt. x

20/08/2024

A rather more enjoyable read.... Cheers Keith and Viv.
Hi Matt

I saw the FaceBook post you made and thought we'd give some good and balanced feedback. We were in the rec ground camping, 0.3m/7 minutes walk away (the other field was a little further, 0.6m/14mins walk according to Google, similar facilities but without communal sports showers, so no great loss) and once at the Old Bush, not much walking as everything is a few steps away.......Although no experts, we've walked bloody miles at Wickham and Upton........

Anyway........
A great mix of bands/musicians, working well between the 2 stages (and hats off to the stage crews who kept it running smoothly)
Portable toilets, some of the best I've seen (well looked after/stocked/cleaned, and maybe respected as such by the users?)
Pub prices for food/drinks....fantastic!....along with the friendly "pub" vibe which created such a great festival atmosphere
And finally, I've never seen such a well organised, dedicated and enthusiastic staff team (food & bar etc), from Thursday to Sunday night, everyone seemed to know exactly what needed doing and they just did it.......all of them.....a pleasure to watch.
[However, maybe you won't please everyone regardless...........99.9% will have to do....]

Well done to all those who worked so hard to put this on, it is much appreciated, indeed, unique!

Regards
Keith & Viv

20/08/2024

over a years work for this, it really make me wonder if it is worth it

Good Afternoon Matt,
I hope this email finds you well.

Regarding my booking for the blues festival on 16th-18th August 2024, we were very disappointed with the campsite, as seen below on your website, unfortunately the campsite we were allocated was not a five-minute walk away, we were put in a field about a mile away from the festival, and also the campsite did not have shower or proper (5 thunder boxes) toilet facilities.

Due to this, we made the hard decision to come home, however before we did we called The Bush and spoke with a young lady who said it was this or nothing as everything else was fully booked. I feel the advert was misleading and now we have lost out of £180.00.

Looking forward to your reply,

13/08/2024

Who's idea was this? Oh Greg. It's been a hell of a ride mate. xx

13/08/2024

Sold Out

11/08/2024

Still a few places left

10/08/2024

We have 12 Sunday Tickets left maybe 2 weekend being returned

05/08/2024

Any one camping on campsite 3 will get a £5 refund there will be water, portable toilets and waste tank.

02/08/2024

We have the t-shirts

27/07/2024

626,627,628.............................................. Rugby :)

27/07/2024

622,623,624,625.......................................... Malvern :)

26/07/2024

620,621.................................. Wolverhampton :)

26/07/2024

619............................................ Carnforth :)