CONTEMPORARY acoustic blues artist Ged Wilson will be on familiar territory when he performs songs from his latest album at The Met on Friday, July 12.

For the 59-year-old, a veteran of the blues scene, lives in Lowercroft, Bury, and has scheduled an appearance in his home town as part of a tour which will climax with a gig at the Darwen Jazz and Blues Festival in August.

Ged, who has taken early retirement from BT, explained: “I’ve been a full-time musician for a few months. But I’ve been performing for about 20 years with four groups. I’ve been around the country and I thought the time was right to commit myself to music full-time.”

The blues man has released his second solo album entitled What’s Going On?, recorded at Lisa Stansfield’s Gracieland Studio.

He says the eight tracks reflect his “moods, thoughts and reactions to the life and changing times”, viewed through his northern rooted kaleidoscope.

Ged was influenced by the British blues boom of the 1960s and has traced the blues back to its roots and brought these forward into the 21st century.

He lists John Mayall, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Miles Davis as among his greatest influences.

Over the years, Ged has made many live appearances on the radio, written a soundtrack to a documentary, appeared on Japanese TV, played the acoustic main stage at the Great British R&B Festival and performed at blues festivals.

He added: “Performing at The Met will be something of a homecoming as I’ve played a lot of gigs away from Bury.”

Ged will play at The Met’s Studio Theatre at 8pm. Tickets are £8. Call The Met on 0161 761 2216.