THE first artists have been revealed for this summer’s Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne and tickets for the event have now gone on sale.

Two great names from the British blues scene – Dave Edmunds and Wilko Johnson – have both been confirmed for the festival, which runs over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Also confirmed in the line-up are New York-based singer Sari Schorr, rising British blues rock trio Wille and the Bandits, and the Royal Southern Brotherhood, who include Cyril Neville in their line-up.

Former Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden will also be performing, and after passport issues with one of her band forced her to miss last year’s festival, American singer Nikki Hill will be returning to make her debut in Colne.

Festival spokesman Sue Madigan said: “These are just the first names to be announced.

“Every year, we try to keep the festival line-up fresh, and we have also listened to who people would like to see. Dave Edmunds is someone we have been asked about by a lot of people and we are delighted that he will be with us.

“It’s all about keeping the fans happy, so we have invited some old favourites to return and also got some new names.”

This year’s festival – the 27th – will see a number of changes.

Organisers have already revealed that Colne Muni will host an acoustic stage on the Saturday and Sunday afternoon of the festival.

The Muni will also continue to host the main international stage but the British stage will move to Pendle Hippodrome Theatre from the leisure centre.

Ms Madigan said: “We are really excited about this new venue and feel it will bring a whole new feel to the British stage. Every year, we try to cater for all musical tastes and keep the festival alive and exciting with different ideas and initiatives.”

The changes to the acoustic and international stages will mean a drop in ticket prices.

An individual day ticket for Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at the international stage will cost £28 each; an acoustic stage badge, costing £5, will be required for the Saturday and Sunday but are free with any day tickets; and it will cost just £20 for a Monday afternoon ticket for the international stage.

Roadhouse wristbands will again cost £1 for access to the five official venues in Colne over the four-day event.

A special early bird offer for a full festival ticket runs until 5pm on Friday, June 24. Tickets bought before the deadline will be £85 rising to £95.

Sue Madigan added: “The drop in ticket prices will mean better value for money and make it more affordable for locals to enjoy this four-day musical extravaganza.”

More names are due to be announced soon. For tickets visit bluesfestival.co.uk