[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]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 prevailing blues acts of the present day.

image of banner for colne blues festival 23rd - 25th august 2019

The festival takes place over the bank holiday weekend of 23rd – 25th August 2019 in Colne, Lancashire, 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 in the beautiful town.

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This year promises to be the biggest year for the festival, as it features over 170 acts playing 22 stages, over 3 days!

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image of rufus black playing colne blues festival main stage 2018

Rufus Black – Colne 2018

“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 a 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,” he said.

Each music venue at the festival is within easy reach of the main street, making this event not only Europe’s ultimate contemporary blues festival, but also a one-of-a-kind and much-loved festival for people in the local area.

image of festival goers at colne blues festival 2018

Colne 2018

“Approximately 2 million pounds is now brought into the area in relation to the blues festival, due to the estimated 20,000 people who attended the event during both 2017 and 2018” continues Mr Philbrook. “A number of businesses report record profits, which significantly help their yearly turnover. It is worthy of note that every cash point in the town ran out of money during the 2018 event!” he added.

image of the hippodrome festival venue at colne blues festival

The Hippodrome Festival Venue

From the friends who grew the musical idea – from one venue in 1990 to the multi-staged festival showcasing artists from around the world in 2019The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival has grown into an internationally recognised event, not least within the blues-based musical genre.

image of blues artist mike sanchaz and band

Mike Sanchez

The festival has been recognised for various awards throughout the years, including the most recent:

Finalists for Lancashire Tourism Award – ‘Small Tourism Event Award 2017
UK Blues Federation Award – ‘Blues Based Festival of The YearFinalists 2017
European Blues Award – ‘Best Event/FestivalNominee 2018

2019 is the third year in which Colne Town Council have organised and managed the event. The charming town is an ideal location for an event of it’s kind, with one long main street (closed to traffic), which hosts busking, incredible food stalls and more, alongside the music venues and bars.

image of blues artist ma bessie

Ma Bessie

Mr Philbrook concludes “Dedicated to the next generation of blues-related artists, the development of new workshops and experiences, first-rate actsshowcasing both ‘modern blues music‘, alongside ‘classics‘ – plus fresh insights into this cherished musical genre; the festival hopes to continue to bring something very special to Colne for many years to come”.

image of canadian blues artist anthony gomes by stephen jensen

Anthony Gomes by Stephen Jensen

Artists for the 2019 Festival Include:
Anthony Gomes (Canada)
Danny Bryant Big Band
Geoff Achison (Australia)
Mike Sanchez
Rufus Black
Sari Schorr & The Engine Room (USA)
plus
Ash Wilson Band, Beaux Gris Gris, Big Boy Bloater And The Limits, Dana Ali Band, Gerry Jablonski And The Electric Band, James & Black, James Sayer Band, Paul Lamb & The King Snakes, Terri Shaltiel Band, The Troy Redfern Band, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado, Giles Robson Band
and
Andy Gunn, Barry Jackson, Benjamin Kelly, Betty & The Bootleggers, Blues Boy Kings, Bluesman Mike Francis, Cadillac Kings, Chris Bevington Organisation, Dave Ferra, Delta Fuse, Double Cookin, George Shovlin And The Radars, Giles Robson Chicago Blues Harmonica Workshop, Goofa Dust, Greg Coulson, Intercity Blues Band, Jade Like The Stone, Katie Bradley & Richard Lane, Lee Ainley’s Blues Storm, Louisiana, Ma Bessie & Her Pig Foot Band, Northsyde, O W Houlston, Phil Doleman, Rainbreakers, Russ Tippins Electric Band, Sean Webster Band, Stevie Watts Organ Trio, Stone Thieves, The Achievers, The Engine Room Workshop, The Head Hunters Blues Band, The Hiding Magpies, The Outlaw Orchestra, Tom Attah & Mat Walklate, Tom C Walker, Tom Crofts, Tone Tanner, Voodoo Sheiks, Waiting For Wednesday
and many more yet to be announced… 

Keep in touch with the festival & for tickets etc:
Website: https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk
Facebook: /thegreatbritishrandbfestival
Instagram: @greatbritishrnbfestivalcolne
Twitter:  @ColneBlues[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][dfd_single_image image=”15548″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][dfd_single_image image=”15549″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][dfd_single_image image=”15550″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][dfd_single_image image=”15558″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][dfd_single_image image=”15557″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][dfd_single_image image=”15552″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][dfd_single_image link_object=”link” tutorials=”” image=”15564″ enable_link=”yes” image_ext_link_url=”https://www.bluesfestival.co.uk/”][/vc_column][/vc_row]