After months of preparation, this year’s Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival has finally arrived!
The directional signs are up, the venues have been decorated and the acts are ready for what promises to be a weekend to remember!
With some top-class, quality headliners, some new, young talent and some Festival favourites, the 24th Great British R&B Festival is ready and raring to go!
From authentic electric blues, through to rock, jazz and acoustic sets, there really is something for every one of the hundreds of visitors expected this August Bank Holiday weekend.
Nine below Zero kick-off the proceedings on the International Stage at 7.30pm on Friday, with another 600 musicians following suit at the 10 official venues over the four day event.
Some of the names to look out for include Bill Wyman, Ginger Baker, Ian Siegal, Dr Feelgood, Joe Louis Walker, Chris Farlowe and Wilko Johnson.
In fact, there’s something for all Blues music fans at all of the official venues – the British Stage at Pendle Leisure Centre, the Acoustic Stage at the Lesser Muni and the Official Roadhouses - Colne & Nelson Rugby Club, The Admiral Lord Rodney, The Crown Hotel, The Dressers, Colne Legion, The Tacklers – and new for 2013, The Green Chimney.
Make sure you are at the British Stage on Sunday afternoon for the British Blues Awards with some of those performing at this year’s Festival possibly collecting an accolade, plus a few surprise Life-time Achievement Awards will also be presented.
Festival organiser, Alison Goode, said: “We are really looking forward to this year’s Festival, with some great line-ups across all of the stages, providing something for all musical tastes.
“With an extra venue, another afternoon of Jazz, a world first on the Saturday evening and playing host to the British Blues Awards, this 24th annual event should certainly be one to remember!
“Ticket sales to date are exceeding all our expectations and I think it’s down to the amazing line-up we have secured this year, with the likes of Bill Wyman, Ginger Baker, Joe Louis Walker and then, of course, Wilko Johnson, who will be performing probably one of his last ever gigs.
“We also have something quite unique on the Saturday, with the Colne Harp Explosion, where we will see some of the best harmonica players in the world on the stage at the same time - something that has never been seen before and will probably never to be repeated again!
“Hopefully that’s enough reasons for people to join us for the 24th Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival this weekend. We look forward to seeing you there!”
For a detailed line-up of all the acts and times they will be performing, visit our website www.bluesfestival.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01282 661234.
