An annual festival in Colne is among the ‘best in the UK’ after being shortlisted for an award.
The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival has been named as a finalist in the 2024 UK Blues Awards for the second year running.
It is one of five festivals competing for the ‘UK blues-based festival of the year' award, also including Alfold Rock and Blues Festival, Carlisle Blues and Rock Festival, Swanage Blues Festival and Upton Blues Festival.
Alongside the ‘UK Blues based festival of the year' award, there are 11 other categories, with all the winners to be announced at an awards night on Thursday, April 25, at The Stables in Milton Keynes.
Last year’s festival, which was also recently named as a finalist for large event of the year at the Lancashire Tourism Awards, saw thousands flock to Colne for an incredible weekend of live music, with record breaking ticket sales and camping ticket sales.
More than 30 artists performed across two stages, programmed by the Colne Blues Society, including performances from headliners Aynsley Lister, Xander and The Peace Pirates and Elles Bailey.
The Official Fringe also took place over the August Bank Holiday weekend with pubs and clubs around Colne showcasing a blend of the finest UK blues acts and local artists, while there was entertainment for all the family across the town.
Planning for the 2024 Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival is well underway, with Colne Town Council in association with the Colne Blues Society having announced the festival will return from Friday, August 23, to Sunday 25.
Early bird tickets have already sold out for this year's event, with two of the headliners having already been announced, including multi-award winning guitarist Dom Martin and Kyla Brox, described as "the finest female blues singer of her generation".
Nathan Cutler, Colne Town Council's events officer, said: "It is a great honour to be recognised as one of the best blues festivals in the UK for the second year running.
"The whole team worked extremely hard to deliver another fantastic event in 2023 and we are excited to go even bigger and better in 2024."
Simon Shackleton, festival coordinator at the Colne Blues Society, said: "2023 was our first year as artistic directors of the festival and we really feel the crowds embraced what was a tremendous festival.
"Alongside the Official Fringe, this is one of the best value music festivals in the UK and it is a great reward for everyone associated with the festival to be nominated for a UK Blues award."
Voting is now open for the awards and closes on Sunday, February 25, at 11.59pm.
You can vote for the festival online via the UK Blues Awards website at: www.ukblues.org.
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