Now and again you get one of those nights which is simply perfect, when everything in your world feels right.

Standing watching blues band Hip Route was one of those golden moments. Lead singer Jim has one of those luscious voices that is so intune with the blues it almost crackles.

His band including Matt Wood on bass and Steve Lodge on drums gel together like superglue bringing his mellow vocals into the limelight. Jim’s songwriting is drenched in the blues but uplifting at the same time and his delivery is easy like Sunday morning. The guys played tracks of all genres of blues from country to Motown, jazzy to pop and all with simple skills and no frills. Jim is an accomplished slide guitar player creating sounds that leave his audience breathless. Hip Route conjure up soundscapes that are rivetting or poignant, light or dark but never without impact and all seemingly without effort.

Supporting Hip Route were Bath-based band Nicole Fermie who have a real funky vibe.

Nicole had a nasty cold but still managed to wow the crowd with her Eddi Reader-style voice.

Bouncy numbers jostled for attention as the band slipped from jazz funk to poppy almost folky sounds.

Lovely stuff of which dreams are made.

- Flicky Harrison