James Oliver Band featuring Norman Watt-Roy
The James Oliver Band featuring Norman Watt-Roy
The James Oliver Band featuring Norman Watt-Roy delivers an energetic performance, showcasing James Oliver’s impressive guitar skills and Norman Watt-Roy’s legendary bass playing, creating a lively atmosphere that engages the audience. Their shows are marked by humour, spontaneity, and a mix of original tracks and classic covers, making for a memorable experience.
Norman Watt-Roy is one of Britain’s most celebrated bass players, best known as the driving force behind Ian Dury and The Blockheads, with whom he hit No.1 in the UK in 1979 with “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick,” featuring his now-iconic bassline. Beyond the Blockheads, Norman recorded and toured for over thirty years with guitar icon Wilko Johnson, and played on The Clash’s Sandinista! album alongside fellow Blockhead Mick Gallagher. His session work reads like a who’s who of British music — he provided the original bassline for Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s “Relax” in 1983, and has recorded with artists including Nick Lowe, Roger Daltrey, and Nick Cave. With a career spanning nearly six decades, seeing Norman up close and in a small-venue setting is a rare treat for bass and music fans alike.
James Oliver is one of the UK’s busiest acts, playing over 300 gigs a year across the UK, Europe, and the USA. He has shared the stage with acts including Albert Lee, Bill Kirchen, Deke Leonard, Greg Koch, Walter Trout, Steve Gibbons, Billy Bremner, and Geraint Watkins, among many others.
In 2020, James won the UK Blues Awards Emerging Artist of the Year, and has since picked up three further nominations. He has released two studio albums and three live albums, with his record Twang topping the Amazon Blues Charts for three weeks. He’s currently in the studio working on a new record with legendary producer John Leckie, who once called him “Best guitarist in the UK.” His YouTube channel has racked up over 20,000 subscribers and 9 million views.
What people are saying:
“One of the UK’s most revered and incredible next generation guitar masters” — Giles Robson (UK Blues Harp Legend)
“Plain and simple… he’s a genius.” — Holger Engels, Rockin’ Music Reviews (Ireland)
“James is a passionate roots rocker loaded with guitar firepower.” — Bill Kirchen (guitar legend)
“James Oliver wields the Telecaster with extreme aplomb and is highly entertaining to boot. See and hear him now!” — Greg Koch (guitar legend)
“If you want to see energy times 10 with the greasiest of rockabilly fire and flair, this is the guy to see!” — Redd Volkaert (Grammy Award-winning guitarist for Merle Haggard)
