News: GREAT BRITISH RHYTHM & BLUES FESTIVAL looks for future stars in unsigned competition

Coco Montoya (Photo: Mark Hughes/MHP)

The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival celebrates its 26th year over the Bank Holiday Weekend of 28-31 August with an impressive line-up of new and established artists.

Once again the Festival will be encouraging new talent and is inviting unsigned bands to apply for a place alongside the main stage as part of the Jessica Foxley Unsigned initiative.

Some of the previous artistes have used the Festival as a springboard to propel themselves into the music world and such is the calibre that some of the bands have returned to perform as part of the Festival in their own right.

Live auditions will take place in front of a panel of judges at The ACE Centre in Nelson, on June 21 and 22.

Festival organiser, Alison Goode, said: “Over the last few years we have discovered some amazing talent and we are excited about what we might find this year to perform at the Blues Festival in August.”

Interested musicians can apply online by completing a simple form and submitting a sound recording and video clip. The deadline for applications is June 8th. A shortlist will then be invited to audition.

More information and application form

Amongst the artists appearing at this year’s event are Coco Montoya, blues legend Billy Boy Arnold, Duke Robillard and Nine Below Zero. This year will see a rare treat for blues fans with an Alligator Records Night, presented by Alligator Records President Bruce Iglauer and featuring Tommy Castro, Selwyn Birchwood and Jarekus Singleton.

More information

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