The U-Yellows

 Live at Alsager Music Festival 2026

U-Yellows? Or maybe OooYellows? Anyway, there's still only 3 of us so 3/4s of The Blue Yellows with our Simon still off injured. Get well soon! We're missing our friend, missing his wonderful basslines and missing so many songs where his input is absolutely essential.

Nevertheless we braved it onwards to the fantastic atmosphere at The Alsager Music Festival in the very special vibes of the Sunken Garden.

Thanks to the many who lent us their ears and joined in with some songs, gave us some lovely feedback (of the spoken kind) and bought us a beer. 

We loved it - but we can't wait to be 4 again!

Tunes on a Tuesday

 June 7th, 2026

We headed out on what could be a difficult task, playing to a Tuesday night crowd on a World Cup knock-out night AND  still a man down in terms of our ace-of-bass Simon.

We were all releaved to hear from Em who had seen Simon having picked up speaker stands & mic stands from his place. Em's report being that Simon had just had his stitches out, was in good spirits and about to strim his lawn! So, as a man of very few words on a phone, rarely using it to communicate it at all, any fears we had for him were allayed & I'm sure he will be back with us as soon as he's physically able to play again.

The Glebe & it's folk, both regular and those just passing through, were also up for a really good time & were treating this Tuesday as if were a Friday or Saturday night, a lovely, attentive & up-for-it bunch. 

Having headed home on this sultry night, seen a hedgehog on the way home & after a cool shower & a wet walk under the half-moonlit sky, it's already a wonderful stained-glass memory. 

Image by Tim Lee 

Tim Lee opened for us, wowing the 
audience with a set of his lovely songs 

We met the feisty and funny Liz Vincent, 
a big name around here in the DJing world 
back when it was even harder to make waves as a woman in music. 

A Solstice Save

What a beautiful Summer Solstice, thanks for making it a wonderful show for us!

We were up against it - a man down with our brilliant bassist *Simon unable to perform, but you guys in the crowd, at The John McAteer stage & on the sound made it so easy for us.

What a stunning venue The Newton Brewery Inn is, great vibes at the bar, large and stunning outdoor area where we played.

*Get well soon our Simon ❤️

Photo by Ian F. Ball 

📸 Louise Mather 

Midsummer Middlewich -Day 1

 Sometimes you have to rise to the challenge... 

We were at around 50% calling off today's show. Simon, our brilliant bassist had phoned to say he had a hand injury that clearly needed to be seen to as a priority and there was no way he could come along (let alone play bass). We really hope our good friend on those low notes recovers really soon but in the meantime we had to make a decision.

In deciding to go on with the show (there's a saying here somewhere) we needed to work out how to do it. Those songs where Simon's bass is a beautiful counter melody as "a" (if not "THE") main musical theme of the song were out, a couple of songs we don't play normally were in, and many others adapted in terms of playing style, rhythm, frequency & tone.

We were also ably aided by José, our sometimes producer and again this time, sound-guy. 

We got away with it. Get well soon Simon and.. Onwards!

Heavily adapted setlist 

3 wasn't the magic number (for us) 
but we got away with it! 

In-tentions

 

It's a great feeling when you've got a busy festival weekend coming up & you see posts showing a well drilled team preparing.

Photos from Midsummer Middlewich where we're playing;

Saturday - The Turnpike, 2pm 

Sunday Solstice - Newton Brewery, 4pm