A NEW festival is to join the calendar of local events this autumn, as Ilkley Blues Festival comes to town.
Preparations for the first festival on Saturday September 26 are now in full progress.
The idea has come from local blues band, Dr Bob and the Bluesmakers, who only formed last year.
Charles Oxtoby from the band said: "The reaction to live blues has been amazing during the last year, people of all musical tastes seem to catch the vibe and enjoy the music. This has made us quite evangelical about the blues so we came up with the idea of a festival to showcase a variety of bands and solo performers."
"I think the recent passing of the great BB King has also re-ignited interest in the style of music, but also bands like Alabama Shakes and the Black Keys, who draw on the blues, are really popular at the moment."
The one-day festival will be held at the Hollygarth Social Club and will run from 2pm to midnight.
Acts already confirmed include Dr Brown, a seasoned performer on the UK blues circuit, Thieving Lord Cole from Leeds and Dr Bob and the Bluesmakers.
Confirmation of other local and national acts is imminent. The event will be not for profit and is branded as ‘a day of making, living and watching blues’.
The vision is to make the festival an annual event and tickets are priced at £10 and can be bought on-line through Eventbrite or at Furniss Butchers, Bolling Road, Ben Rhydding.
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