Video: Rising star of blues is on her way to Blackburn (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Video: Rising star of blues is on her way to Blackburn

5:02pm Friday 28th September 2012 in What's on in Lancashire

CHANTEL McGregor is a rising star in the British music scene — and that’s a fact.

In 2011 she was voted Young Artist of the Year at the British Blues Awards and this year has taken the vocalist crown.

“I’m one of those people who never expects to win anything,” said Chantel. “But when you do wn them it’s great. It’s funny because it’s now started a great debate among my fans as to why I’ve not won the guitarist award, as I’m probably better known as a guitarist.”

Chantel will be a major draw to the second Blackburn Blues Festival at King George’s Hall on Sunday, October 7, alongside the likes of Waltter Trout and Albany Down. She will also play Darwen’s Library Theatre on Friday, October 26.

“I love playing around East Lancashire,” said Chantel, “I have made so many friends by playing there in the past. It’s a chance for us all to catch up.”

Chantel’s growing fanbase are an immensely loyal bunch, something which she greatly appreciates.

“They really do follow me everywhere,” she said. “They are amazing. We’ve played shows in Orkney and there have been faces in the crowd that we recognise. It’s brilliant how they keep coming back for more.”

One of the reasons may be the varied live shows which Chantel and her band serve up.

“Every night is different,” she said. “I’d get bored having to stick to the same set night after night. If I fancy doing something then we’ll give it a try.

“We often take a request from the audience, even though we’ve not rehearsed it..

“I remember one gig where I was doing an encore with my acoustic guitar and I just started Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac because I really like the song. I’d never played it before but somehow got through it. It ended up appearing on my album.”

Although she has picked up some major blues awards, Chantel isn’t happy to be regarded as a blues artist.

“I think that I make Chantel music,” she said. “If there was a picture of my face against the word blues in the dictionary I don’t think that would be right.

“For me, the label you put on the music doesn’t matter. It’s all about connecting with an audience and them empathising with you not just the blues.

“The problem of being labelled a blues artist is that it can be restrictive.

“When you think about it there are really only two kinds of music — good and bad. It’s as simple as that.”

• Chantel McGregor, Blackburn Blues Festival, Sunday, October 7 and Darwen Library Theatre, Friday, Octover 26. Details from 0844 847 1664

Comments are closed on this article.