Dubbed by the blues and soul cognoscenti as ‘the next big thing’, 2024 UK Blues Awards Emerging Act of the Year and UK Blues Federation 2024 Blues Challenge nominees Connolly Hayes have already created a stir within and beyond the blues/rock/soul community, thanks to the reputations of principal members Frankie Connolly and Jess Hayes.

The band already has a remarkable reputation for live performances thanks to two of the most soulful voices in the business. However, Connolly Hayes isn’t just a duo but a fully-fledged band oozing guitar brilliance from both sides of the stage and the tightest, grooviest rhythm section going.

Frankie, the guitarist and co-lead singer, embodies the songs rather than just playing them. . Every bone and blood vessel in his body transmits itself in his performance in a way that can never, ever be faked or manufactured. The guy just bleeds music, and his explosive, inventive guitar playing is all heart – albeit founded on hard-earned, jaw-dropping technique.

If that wasn’t enough, there’s the voice. Entirely unforced and natural, Frankie sounds like he was raised in a Deep South Baptist church. He has so much soul in his pipes, and his phrasing and ad libs alone put him in the upper league of all-time British male vocalists.

More contained and cool, perhaps, but nonetheless equally charismatic, is Jess. Her mighty impressive, soul-fuelled vocals come from the very top drawer of this country’s ‘best vocals’ cabinet, worthy of the boy-girl front line in the strongest traditions of Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer in Vinegar Joe, Delaney and Bonnie, and even Joe Cocker’s ‘Mad Dogs and Englishman’ period.

Her musician parents introduced Jess to the classic sounds of artists and bands like Stevie Nicks, Bad Company, Bonnie Raitt, and Little Feat when she was a teenager.

Rapidly gaining a reputation among those in the know, as well as being the ‘go-to’ singer of choice for ex-Mud member and noted songwriter Rob Davis, Jess received some prime-time exposure on ITV’s The Voice, turning all four chairs. More importantly, she has found her own ‘voice’ as a songwriter with this new project with her friend Frankie.

Connolly Hayes are no pastiche of anything that has preceded them. Their performances are of rare authenticity and commitment from a young outfit merging soul, rock, blues, and singer/songwriter material to staggering effect.

Behind any band is a great rhythm section, and this one is no exception. They play with a knowing and exciting swagger — think Little Feat — with the funky interplay of the two guitar players always to the fore. Adding a very fine keyboard player to proceedings really makes this a six-piece to contend with.

Taking inspiration from band favourites such as Bros Landreth, Tedeschi Trucks, Marcus King, and Chris Stapleton (to name a few!), the group embarked on crafting and recording new material in late 2023, releasing their debut album, Remember Me, to coincide with an extensive European and UK tour.

Here’s your chance to catch this group of talented young upstarts before they hit the big time!

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