Colne R&B festival organiser's plea - 'come and support us!'

Music lovers from across the UK had for 30 years travelled to the festival in Colne until first Covid and then financial constraints prevented the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival from taking place for the last two years.

Now the man responsible for programming a new-look event is urging those fans to get out and enjoy a three-day spectacular.

“We’ve got over 50 bands and artists many of whom are household names covering a wide range of music all coming to Colne,” said Peter Barton, the festival’s artistic director. “There was a huge outcry - and rightly so - when it was feared that the festival would never be held again.

Geno Washington and his band (Picture: Ian Rook) and (below) FM

“Now I’m urging all those people who were up in arms about that to get their tickets. We all know that festivals all over the country are struggling this year but the simple fact is that if people don’t support us then festivals like this cannot happen in future.”

Peter - who runs Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre and has been a successful promoter and musician for many years - has slightly changed the emphasis of the festival to appeal to a broader fanbase.

“The pure Blues market now is not what it was 10 years ago,” he said, “so we have, in effect, rebranded the festival a little. We have introduced some folk rock with bands like Lindisfarne and some rock with FM and Atomic Rooster.”

In the past Colne has played host to some major international names ranging from Bill Wyman and Ginger Baker but Peter has been careful not to go for stellar headliners which would prove too costly and instead gone for a wide range of very well-established names and rising stars on the music scene.

“I’ve heard people criticising some of the line-up but the established bands have got a fanbase,” he said. “Someone who is popular on YouTube doesn’t necessarily equate to bums on seats.

“We have got some of the finest musicians in the country coming to Colne”

The festival will play host to three farewell performances - from Geno Washington, Connie Lush and The Animals featuring original drummer John Steel.

“That’s going to be emotional, that’s for sure,” said Peter. “Some of these guys have been around for what seems like forever and there will come a time when they won’t be doing it any more. And yet they are here in Colne so why wouldn’t you go and see them while you can - and believe me they can still do it.”

fm

The line-up also features a number of bands and artists who are bringing in a new era in blues and blues rock such as Miguel Montalban, Jade Like the Stone and the Cinelli Brothers.

“It’s a great chance to catch some of these guys on the way up,” said Peter. “It’s all about giving people a bit of everything.”

Colne Muni, the Mini Muni and Pendle Hippodrome will be the official festival venues with day tickets for each venue ranging from £30 to £40 with full festival tickets set at £100.

“One thing’s for sure,” said Peter. “I’m not doing this for the money. Once the bands have been paid, any money that is left over will be going to charity.”

In 2017 Peter started fundraising for Alder Hey Hospital after staff there saved the life of his grandson Ashton. He has set himself a target of raising £1.6million to buy an MRI scanner for the hospital and has arranged a series of concerts where major musical names have donated their time.

“For me it’s not about the money, it’s about making the festival a success,” he said. “The public are getting their festival back; they are getting a weekend of great music and anything that’s left is helping to save children’s lives. What more can you do?

“The festival in Colne has got a proud history and is well known in the music world. Now it’s back this year for the first time since 2019 and, for me, it’s all about making it a success but to do that we need music fans to support it.”

The Great British R&B Festival runs from Friday, August 26 to Sunday, August 28. For full details visit www.bluesfestival.co.uk