What's on: Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival, Colne

5:01pm Friday 22nd June 2012

By John Anson

EIGHT local acts have been chosen to play at this year’s Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

They have been selected as part of the Jessica Foxley Stage, in memory of a talented young singer who was killed in a car crash in July 2009.

Four of the acts —The Narrators, Mudcat Blues Trio, Tom Kilner Band and The Blind Dead McJones Band — will perform at various slots on the British Stage.

The remaining four — Dolly Croot, The Mirrortones, April Blue and Mog Stanley — will play on the Acoustic Stage at the Lesser Muni.

Festival organiser Alison Goode said: “We want to honour Jessica’s talent and support other young people like her by giving them this opportunity to be heard and perform at such an established and award-winning event.”

This year’s festival which runs from Friday, August 24 to Monday, August 27 features Booker T, Joan Armatrading, Courtney Pine and The Blues Band.

Recent additions to the international stage line-up at the Muni are Spencer Davis, The Stumble and Connie Lush and Blues Shouter.

The British Stage, at Pendle Leisure Centre, will host the likes of Chantel McGregor, Kyla Brox and The Treatment.

The festival will see over 600 artists performing at nine different venues around the town including a new fringe venue for this year, the Tacklers on Knowsley Street.

Last year, the Colne event was voted Best British Blues Festival in the British Blues Awards and it has now been nominated as one of six finalists in the same category for the 2012 awards.

Industry experts including promioters, broadcasters and music journalists have compiled a shortlist and now the public are being asked to vote for their favourite.

“The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival is now in its 23rd year and it is nice to be recognised.

“We hope that all those people who enjoy the festival year after year will again take the time to vote for us.”

To vote visit www.british bluesawards. com. The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the Newark Blues Festival in September.

Meanwhile, festivalgoers have a further fortnight to take advantage of a special early bird ticket offer which allows them to buy a full festival ticket for £100 instead of the full price of £125.

For details, contact the festival box office at Colne Muni on 01282 661234 or visit www.bluesfestival.co.uk