As well as the array of talent that headline the main stages, there are also blues club ‘picks’ from around the UK (from Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales), a blues-funk-groove-soul upbeat ‘dance’ day on Saturday 25th August (at the Muni), talent from as far away as Australia, Canada, mainland Europe and the USA, a pick from BBC Radio Lancashire’s Bluenotes show and some incredible homegrown new and emerging talent.
Paddy Maguire, the festival creative director explains further “I am incredibly excited to help announce the 30th anniversary year festival line up – with plenty of diversity within the blues music genre, consisting of celebrated blues music legends… and the promising legends of the future. As an internationally recognised festival, it is our duty and responsibility to nurture emerging artists and the UKs weekly hosted blues clubs, as well welcoming the founding fathers of the blues genre”.
Tickets go on sale on Friday 7th December at 10am via the festival website: https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk/
2019 Headliners include:
Anthony Gomes (Canada)
Danny Bryant Big Band
Geoff Achison (Australia)
Mike Sanchez
Rufus Black
Sari Schorr & The Engine Room (USA)
with these major artists, ‘hot on their heels’:
Beaux Gris Gris
Big Boy Bloater & The Limits
Cadillac Kings
Gerry Jablonski & The Electric Band
Paul Lamb & The King Snakes
Sean Webster Band
Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado (Denmark)
plus many other incredibly talented artists, including Dana Ali Band, Blues Boy Kings, Tom C Walker, James Sayer Band, James & Black (USA), Russ Tippins Electric Band, Greg Coulson, The Troy Redfern Band (Mid Wales Blues Club pick), Delta Fuse (The Elner Delta Blues Club, NI pick), Andy Gunn (Edinburgh Blues Club pick), Rainbreakers (Tuesday Night Blues Club pick)… and many more.
Further 2019 line ups announcements will follow in due course – next to come will be the Mini Muni stage, the BBC Radio Lancashire Bluenotes ‘pick’, the Little Theatre stage,special events, then the myriad of ‘Roadhouse’ venues line ups. There will be a chance to apply to play the 2019 festival via Jessica Foxley Stages. Applications will be online soon.
More on the festival:
The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival will occur in Colne, Lancashire, over the bank holiday weekend of 23rd – 25th August 2019. This is the events’ 30th year anniversary, and the third year in which Colne Town Council have organised and managed the event.
The festival takes place in numerous town centre venues (from 750 to 50 capacity), Colne & Nelson Rugby Club (which also doubles-up as the festival campsite), plus many more restaurants and bars. This beautiful town is an ideal location for an event of this kind, with one long ‘main’ street (closed to traffic) which hosts on-street entertainment, busking, incredible food stalls, bars and more.
Each music venue is within easy reach of the main street, making this event not only one of Europe’s best contemporary blues festivals, but also one-of-a-kind and much-loved festival for people of the local area.
An estimated 15,000 – 20,000 people attended both the 2017 & 2018’s festivals; with the event receiving a HUGE amount of love (just some of the comments are below).
Tickets for the 2019 festival go on sale at 10am on Friday 7th December via the festival ticket page. Camping tickets will follow soon afterwards.
There are also many ‘Roadhouse’ venues dotted around the town hosting events and live music. These venues are free to enjoy.
Current line ups can be viewed here: https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk/lineups/
Here is just some of the love for the 2017 & 2018 events:
“Fabulous festival! Very diverse lineup. Friendly staff. Well done!” 5*****
“Great festival from both a performers and punters point of view” 5*****
“Unbelievably rich experience! Great music, great variety within the genre, great people and glorious sunshine”
“This wasn’t just a festival, it wasn’t just an incredible line-up of talent – it was a happening!”
“Best turnout for The Blues in many a year! Well done Colne Town Council for taking the festival on. Great decision to close down Newmarket Street and Albert Street, it really brought the crowds out to the bars. Also good move to have the designated busking tents” 5*****
“An excellent time with excellent music and atmosphere throughout the weekend. This was our first time, but definitely not the last” 5*****
Keep in touch with the event:
Website: https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk
Facebook: /thegreatbritishrandbfestival
Instagram: @greatbritishrnbfestivalcolne
Twitter: @RandBFestival
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCynO3pUv-zyghzS-8NYuwcA
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