Fort Vale Engineering returns as sponsor of The Little Theatre Acoustic Stage at 2026 Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival

Fort Vale Engineering has been confirmed as the sponsor of The Little Theatre Acoustic Stage at the 2026 Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, marking the third consecutive year the Lancashire-based engineering company has supported one of the festival’s most popular venues.

The Little Theatre will once again host a packed programme of live music across the August Bank Holiday weekend, with 16 artists taking to the stage.

Friday night will be headlined by Preston-born blues legend Kevin Brown, whose career spans 14 albums and thousands of performances, earning him recognition as one of the most respected blues guitarists, singers and songwriters on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Delta Aces will headline on Saturday evening, with the Sean Taylor Trio closing the weekend on Sunday night. The venue will also showcase outstanding local talent, including Ross Munro and Tadhg Bean-Bradley.

Fort Vale Engineering is a long-standing supporter of community events across the region, including the Colne Grand Prix, and is a global leader in the design and manufacture of valves and fittings for transportable tanks.

The Little Theatre has enjoyed exciting renovations in recent years and is a key venue for the festival, alongside the Pendle Hippodrome and The Muni Theatre.

Peter Hakin of Fort Vale Engineering said: “We are incredibly proud to continue our support of The Little Theatre Acoustic Stage for a third consecutive year. The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival is such a fantastic and well-known event that brings thousands of people into the area while celebrating exceptional live music. We’re delighted to play our part in helping the festival continue to thrive.”

Festival Organiser Simon Shackleton added: “We’re hugely grateful to Fort Vale Engineering for their continued support over the past three years. The Little Theatre has become a really important part of the festival, providing an intimate setting for world-class blues artists alongside brilliant local musicians, and Fort Vale has played a big part in making that possible.”

For more information about Fort Vale Engineering, visit www.fortvale.com

A wide range of ticket options are available for the main venues, including full festival passes, day tickets, and afternoon and evening session tickets, ensuring accessibility for all audiences.

Festival and camping tickets can be purchased at www.bluesfestival.co.uk/tickets/

The 2026 festival is proudly sponsored by Barnfield Construction, continuing their support of Colne’s thriving cultural and creative scene. Learn more here: www.barnfieldconstruction.co.uk