Colne Blues Festival is back and line-up has been revealed

Over 50 artists have been unveiled for the three-day festival which will be held in the East Lancashire town for the first time since 2019 when it was voted Blues Festival of the Year.

The festival, which has a proud tradition dating back to 1989, was initially scrapped in 2021 by Colne Town Council who cited a lack of resources. But promoter and musician Peter Barton - who owns Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre - stepped in and has taken on responsibility for a new-look festival.

Running over three days from Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28, some legendary names and major award winners will appear in the line-up alongside some of the rising stars of the blues and blues rock scene. Colne Muni and Pendle Hippodrome will be the two main festival venues with both day tickets and full festival tickets now available.

Peter Barton who has programmed the event said he is excited at the prospects of the return of the festival.

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He said: "Events this year will hopefully reach into the right hearts and souls and bring fans from far and wide into this beautiful town.

"The only way this festival can survive is if you help it to survive by purchasing a ticket. On Behalf of Colne Town Council, Pendle Leisure Trust, Colne Blues Society and the people of Colne I hope you have a wonderful, August Bank Holiday weekend."

The festival will feature farewell performances from three legendary names Animals and Friends featuring John Steel, Geno Washington and singer Connie Lush.

Also at the Muni the line-up include Rebecca Downes, Ric Lee from Ten Years After, the Simon Hough Band, Ian Siegal, Nine Below Zero, FM and Atomic Rooster.

The Pendle Hippodrome line-up includes Lindisfarne, Chantel McGregor, Wille and the Bandits, The Uptown Allstar Big Band and Dr Feelgood.

For the full line-up and tickets, visit www.colneblueslineup.com