Spotlight Sessions Spotlight Session: Lighting Phill & The Sinisters
Spotlight Session: Lighting Phill & The Sinisters
28 September 2026
Chicago, Delta and Texas Blues, all rolled into one: Lightning Phil & The Sinisters bring together the different sides of the Blues with plenty of harmonica, guitar and live energy. Led by Lightning Phil, they move between soulful grooves, raw Delta sounds and the electric edge of Chicago and Texas Blues.
We’re delighted to have Lightning Phil & The Sinisters join our Spotlight Sessions. Here they are, in their own words.
The Session
01 Every band has an origin story. What's yours? Bonus points if the name has a story behind it ⭐
Heard harmonica and Blues in a TV show when I was 14, never rested until I learned all the songs. Got my heart broken a few years ago, felt so low that only music could save me. My First chance in Ireland was an open mic at Mother Reilly's, then Smithfields Creative. Had the chance to meet Oswald and his Bass in a few gigs, I have been always a big fan of him and used to think I wasn't at his level but then someday I needed a Bass player for a gig and he texted saying he wanted to play with for a while so it felts like I won the lottery. I then Met Hudson, first time I saw him playing I wanted to cry, his passion and skills made me want to do better. Wagner and I are from same city, Rio de Janeiro, got the chance to meet him here in a gig and I was mesmerized but didn't know he was a Bluesman. Someday, he called and ask to meet and said he always wanted to play the Blues with me and he loved the fact that I sit in a chair and play blues like in from 1940s. Since then we've been together and bringing emotions and a bit of swing all over the country.
02 If we dropped someone into one of your gigs, what should they expect?
A time travel experience, they would feel in an movie. They would feel my words and get to dance here and there.
03 Which artists have shaped your sound the most? Anyone people wouldn't expect?
Sonny Terry, John Lee Hooker and Sonny Boy Williamson.
04 There's always one gig that holds a special place. Tell us about yours.
It was about half a gig when suddenly about 30 people arrived. They all danced, some cried, and at the end of the gig they came to me and said they were just coming from a funeral and your man was a huge Blues fan, so they felt his presence there.
05 Living or dead, who'd you share a stage with, and why?
John Lee Hooker
06 What's gone wrong at a gig that you can laugh about now?
We got a hot shot at Opium as a opening act for a famous band and the Tube Guitar AMP explode middle gig.
07 What's coming up next? Gigs, new music, big plans — tell us everything!
We're planning on recording songs and share the joy and beauty of music. Be around Ireland and other countries as we got offered help by fans to stay in USA, few countries in Europe, even Japan. Life is good and we're enjoying the journey.
Coming up for Lighting Phill & The Sinisters
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