Award-winning blues artist hailed by Joe Bonamassa coming to Barnoldswick
‘A Storm Is Coming’ and it’s heading straight for Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre.
An award-winning blues musician that was once hailed by Joe Bonamassa is set to head to the Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre for a special Sunday afternoon matinee.
Rebecca Downes, who won Female Vocalist and Emerging Artist honours at the 2016 British Blues Awards and Female Blues Vocalist at the 2018 UK Blues Awards, is set to perform in Barnoldswick on Sunday, February 7th for a performance from an artist that has never been interested in simply keeping the blues alive and is instead one that’s far more concerned with pushing it forward.
Armed with one of the most commanding voices in contemporary British blues-rock, a formidable band and a new album, Downes will return to Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre in early 2027 for another electrifying afternoon of original music, raw emotion and serious rock 'n' roll.
Downes, who began her musical journey in the West Midlands, where she was performing live by the age of thirteen, performs music with muscle, melody and attitude, delivered by musicians who understand that the finest blues-rock doesn't simply need to be loud — it needs to mean something.
The Wolverhampton-born artist’s career took a decisive turn when she joined forces with guitarist, songwriter and producer Steve Birkett, beginning a creative partnership that has since produced an impressive catalogue of fiercely independent original music. From Back To The Start (2013) and Believe (2016) through to More Sinner Than Saint (2019) and The Space Between Us (2022), Downes has steadily developed a sound that draws from traditional blues, classic British rock, American soul and contemporary hard rock without being confined by any of them.
However, it was her latest studio album, A Storm Is Coming, released on her own Mad Hat Records label on 31 October 2025, that represented another significant leap forward in Downes’. The album featured ten original songs packed with muscular guitar riffs, swirling Hammond organ, huge choruses and some of the most emotionally charged vocal performances of her career on an album about confrontation, resilience, relationships and ultimately finding the strength to move forward.
On stage, Downes will look to bring ‘A Storm Is Coming’ to life inside the intimate Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre, where she’ll be accompanied by her longtime musical partner Steve Birkett on guitar and vocals, Neil Ablard on drums, Nigel Darvill on keyboards and Hammond, and James Peterson on bass. Tickets to see Downes perform in Barnoldswick are available here.