Great British Blues Festival kicks off!

The festival celebrates 25 years of bringing Blues to Colne, with four days of back-to-back music, from authentic electric blues, through to rock, jazz and acoustic sets.

There really is something for every one of the expected hundreds of people travelling to this tiny corner of Lancashire for a Bank Holiday weekend full of top class music and entertainment.

The International Stage will be playing host to some of the best Blues names in the business, with the likes of Eric Burdon, Lucky Peterson, Eric Bibb, Eric Sardinas, Otis Grand, Mike Sanchez, Andy Fairweather Low, The Yardbirds and Dr Feelgood taking to the International Stage over the four-day event.

The festival kicks off at 7-30pm at The Muni in Albert Road with a rendition of “Land of Hope and Glory” led by MC Chris Powers.

All ticket-holders will be given a Union Jack flag to wave as they join in the anthem and – along with opening act The Yardbirds - officially launch the 25th Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival.

Highlights on the British Stage will include European Blues Awards nominee Kyla Brox, along with The Stumble, Slack Alice, The Welsh T Band and Midnight Ramble.

And the Acoustic Stage ones to watch include absolute must-see The Cats, favourites Hokum Hotshots, Chris Bevington and Brothers Groove.

Barnfield Construction sponsors roadhouses at Colne and Nelson Rugby Club, The Admiral Lord Rodney, The Crown Hotel, Colne Legion and The Green Chimney.

With some old Blues favourites mixing with some new talent, there really is something to suit all musical tastes. Add a friendly atmosphere, real ales and northern hospitality and any of the five official roadhouses will be a perfect place to visit.

The Festival Box Office will be open all weekend for anyone wanting to buy a last-minute ticket to see some of the big names on the main stage; and for those simply wanting to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy great live music.

You can buy a Pledge Badge for just £4, which will give you access to the British Stage and the Acoustic Stage for the whole four days, or pay £1 for a Roadhouse Wristband which will get you into all of the five official roadhouses for the full weekend.

Festival organiser Alison Goode said: “Each of the four days is a mini festival in itself with the amount of back-to-back music being performed at each of the eight official venues.

“We have some fantastic musicians lined-up – some old favourites, such as Eric Bibb, Eric Sardinas, Otis Grand, Mike Sanchez and Dr Feelgood, as well as some new, including our headlined, Eric Burdon, who has never played the Festival before.

“Add to this a great atmosphere, some brand new musical talent, a funfair, an outdoor stage and buskers, and you get another incredible weekend for this 25th Anniversary Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival.”

For further information, go online at www.bluesfestival.co.uk