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Burnley National Blues Festival History

Burnley National Blues Festival holds a unique position in the history of British blues.  It helped to bring blues music to national attention and create the huge blues infrastructure that now exists in this country. 

The festival originated in 1988 and was so successful it developed into one of the major blues events in the UK with people travelling from all over the world to enjoy the festival atmosphere whilst taking in the beautiful countryside that surrounds the town. 

Today the festival remains one of the great influences on the British blues scene and is renowned the world over. In 2003 the city of Chicago chose Burnley as their twin festival to jointly promote what they believe to be the worlds leading festivals.

The ties that bind Burnley and the blues together are cotton.  In the early 1900’s the population of Burnley grew tenfold as the cotton picked from America’s southern states made its way to Lancashire. 

Today, this small town that became the world’s largest importer of cotton stands proud as Britain’s premier importer of American blues.

Over the years blues music has constantly developed into many styles including rock, soul, jump jive, jazz, funk, rap and eventually hip, hop. Iconic blues performers past and present have influenced generations of music icons including, The Rolling Stones,Led Zeppelin, U2, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jools Holland, Chris Rea and many more. Our roster of international blues performers provides a unique opportunity to see the roots of international blues, together with a host of new names who will ensure the music lives on for generations to come.

"Festivals come and festivals go but Burnley keeps rolling along nicely."
Blues and Rhythm Magazine