HUGE SUCCESSES FOR THE 30TH GREAT BRITISH RHYTHM AND BLUES FESTIVAL: 2019

The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival took place in Colne over the bank holiday weekend, and surpassed all notions of a 30th year festival celebration.

Colne Town Council, the organisers of the event over the last 3 years, predicated they would welcome around 20,000 festival goers over the course of the weekend. However, the actual numbers attending the event far exceeded all expectations.

“The wonderful weather certainly helped with the record turn out this year” said Mary Thomas, Chair of the Blues Working Group and Chair of Colne Town Council. “The streets, especially Albert Road, were full; buzzing with music, activity, entertainment and smiling people. The atmosphere was wonderful, right through until late on Sunday evening”.
She added “businesses have reported large increases in sales. We love that the festival is enjoyed by locals, as well as by music lovers who travel from far and wide to experience the event, all of whom help create a boost to Colne and the local area”.

Paddy Maguire, festival creative director commented “I have been coming to this festival for 27 years and this year has been tremendous – magnificent even. The event has exceeded my expectations in every way. The streets were whirring with musical action, yet the venues were also vibrant, as people sought shade from the sun and, of course, to experience the incredible musicians who were playing this year”.

Musical highlights included Ma Bessie & Her Pig Foot Band (with a one-in-one-out policy in place during her performance), Beaux Gris Gris (American blues-folk-soul band, with an electric, theatrical performance), Mike Sanchez (who got the whole joint jumping during his dance-able rock n roll set on Saturday night), and Little Triggers (the Jessica Foxley Stages Band who, via the blues festival, have now won a place at the 2020 UK Blues Challenge).

There are hopes that the festival will continue to improve and develop for many years to come. The decision about the 2020 dates and confirmation of next year’s event taking place, will be released in the autumn.

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