The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival — under the leadership of Colne Town Council — is proud to celebrate its 30th Anniversary, bringing together some of the today’s prevailing blues and blues-rock acts.
This year, the festival hosts 170 blues-rock acts across 22 stages over 3 days. The festival takes place over the bank holiday weekend of 23rd – 25th August 2019 in Colne, Lancashire, in numerous walk-able 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 in the beautiful town.
Highlights include:
Anthony Gomes (Canada) – The Toronto-born singer/songwriter/guitarist (named ‘One of the Top Ten Guitarists’ in the world by Music Tasters Choice) has released 12 albums and performed concerts in 17 countries. Gomes has opened for megastars like Robert Plant, Alice Cooper, Joe Bonamassa, and Heart. This will be his first UK show of the year.
Sari Schorr (USA) & The Engine Room – Sari is breaking new ground with her 2nd album ‘Never Say Never’. As Living Blues put it: “Her gently-frayed mezzo, at times reminiscent of Janis Joplin, packs quite a punch. And, like Joplin, she’s not afraid to push her voice to lung-bursting limits. With charismatic vocals set against hard-driving blues-rock, Sari Schorr’s ‘A Force of Nature’ is exactly that.”
Geoff Achison (Australia) & The Soul Diggers – Geoff’s music has been compared favourably to major artists such as Eric Clapton, J.J. Cale and the Allman Brothers Band. “What makes him unique is not only his instrumental skills but also his multifaceted approach” said Guitar World; “…like a singer/songwriter’s soul in Jeff Beck’s body,” added Elmore Magazine.
Rufus Black (UK) – Rufus Black serve up a potent brew of British blues, soul and rock. Drawing influences from giants like Muddy Waters, BB King, Jimi Hendrix, Al Green, and Led Zeppelin, Cream, and Stevie Ray Vaughan — and everything in-between — they create a sound that’s “instantly desired and appreciated”.
This year promises to be the biggest for the festival, as it features over 170 acts playing 22 stages, over 3 days.
“This anniversary is a celebration of the festival’s success over the last 30 years,” commented Leroy Philbrook, CEO of Colne Town Council. “The many years of success are testament to the quality of the event, the popularity of the musical genre, the incredible artists who have graced the stages, and also to the trust and loyalty of the festival-goers. We recognise that the support we receive for the event is instrumental to its success“.
Read more https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk/the-blues-festival-in-colne-30th-anniversary/
Another 70+ Acts Now Announced (All Free-To-Enjoy)
The festival’s ‘Roadhouse’ Venues and Line-ups are revealed: That’s an extra 74 bands!
Explains Paddy, musical director for the festival, “I’m hugely excited to present the 11 Roadhouse venues for the 2019 festival. These non-ticketed, walk-able venues showcase some supreme acts from across the UK blues and blues rock music scene. Performers include bands who have previously played our main stages, and have reformed to be part of the 30th festival year, plus prospective main-stagers. Discover your new favourite artist in an intimate setting before they hit the big time.”
Colne Blues Festival Roadhouse Line Ups https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk/old-new-borrowed-and-blue/
Emerging Blues, Blues-Rock and Blues-Funk Talent… More Bands Announced
The festival teamed up with Jessica Foxley Projects to give main stage opportunities to young, under-the-radar blues acts. The chosen bands are now announced.
Paul Foxley, who administers the project for Jessica Foxley Stages, said “The standard of entries this year has been exceptional …”
In addition to being chosen to play the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival, there’s a chance for one of the Jessica Foxley Stages’ four artists to represent the UK at the 2020 European and International Blues Challenges, as well as at the 2019 UK Blues Challenge. Many thanks to the UK Blues Federation for enabling this to happen.
Find out the chosen bands, and further information https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk/emerging-blues-talent/
Further festival news items are available online here:
https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk/news/
Keep in touch with the festival:
Website: https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk
Facebook: /thegreatbritishrandbfestival
Instagram: @greatbritishrnbfestivalcolne
Twitter: @ColneBlues
