Big Boy Bloater

Big Boy Bloater is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, presenter and entertainer of the highest order. His take on roots and R&B has impressed many people within the genre, from the original greats of Blues & roots to modern aficionados, and beyond. He is regularly asked to play guitar for legends of R&B, roots and blues and he takes his own band – the LiMiTs – on tours around the globe as well as working his own One Man Show and stepping in as a special guest or session player.

Bloater has played at many major festivals across the US and Europe, including Cognac Blues Passions, Ribs & Blues, Latitude, Secret Garden Party, Ramblin’ Man Fair, Hop Farm Festival, BluesFest, The Great British R&B Festival, Burnley Blues, Viva Las Vegas and more. His shows are always impressive, energetic and fun, without losing any musical integrity. His upbeat songs belie their dark lyrics and intricate arrangements. His voice has been compared to Howlin’ Wolf crossed with Tom Waits – indeed he was voted #87 in the top 100 ‘Best Blues Voices of All Time’ by the readers and writers of the Blues Magazine in 2016. The most recent album ‘PILLS’ released in 2018 was voted #2 in Classic Rock Magazine’s Blues Albums of the Year.

He was the former presenter of The Blues Magazine Show on Team Rock Radio (sadly no longer) and also compiled and presented a 3 hour BB King special for KLM Airline, as well as presenting the ‘Twentieth Century Blues’ radio documentary. He is the presenter and interviewer on the BLUES PODCAST series, featuring some of the greats of the modern Blues world and has previously presented radio shows on Team Rock Radio and Feedback Radio.

Bloater has played for many icons of music and has played guitar behind Imelda May and Paloma Faith as well as once being asked by Sir Paul McCartney to record with him at Abbey Road. He has been interviewed and played sessions on many radio shows including BBC Radio 2 shows with Jools Holland, Jo Whiley, Mark Lamarr, and Paul Jones.

One of the great blues men of our time – Jools Holland, BBC

Bloater is a phenomenal guitarist! – Mark Lamarr, BBC Radio 2

I love this guy… he has a voice that sounds like it’s been soaked in turpentine for the last decade! – Craig Charles, BBC 6 Music