Events
Finalists in the 2025 UK Blues Awards, THE SWAPS are Beth Brooks (vocals), James Knight (guitar and vocals), and Adam Phillips (guitar and vocals). They have been honing their blend of blues, soul and folk for many years in different line-ups but have recently found the real magic (and national recognition) as an acoustic trio. The Swaps build most of their music around Beth’s jaw-dropping vocals (“magic in that voice” Blues in Britain) and the instinctive guitar interplay between James and Adam (“awe-inspiring … acoustic music at its very best” Blues Matters). The dynamics and variety of textures they achieve with only two instruments and three voices is astonishing. All three are songwriters, which perhaps explains the variety and exceptional quality of their material.
The Swaps host the monthly blues club at Temperance in Leamington Spa, which sells out as soon as tickets are made available. They usually headline the show, with guest sets from some of the best-known names in UK (and sometimes international) blues.
This year The Swaps were nominated for five UK Blues Federation Awards, including best band and best vocalist (Beth Brooks).
The Swaps have supported Erasure on a UK tour and have played with folk legend Tim Edey, Geno Washington, John Primer (Muddy Waters’ guitarist), Stevie Watts, Greg Coulson, Steve Walwyn (Dr. Feelgood), Jonathan Read (The Specials), Tommy Allen (Sugarbabes) and many more. The Swaps have played all over the UK including at Ronnie Scott’s and the Roundhouse in London.
The Swaps are played regularly on local and national radio and their new release “The Swaps Live at Upton” has been featured on the BBC as well as many different specialist blues radio stations. It has been called “fabulous”, “superb” and “haunting in its beauty” by Blues in Britain magazine.
Doors open 7pm. Music starts 8.30pm. The venue is mixed seated and standing. Tables are limited and available on a first come first served basis so, if you’d like a seat, we recommend arriving early!
