The Burnley International Blues Festival

4-6th May 2012

Line up to be announced shortly

After 23 year's of exceptional performances from both international and British performers the Burnley National Blues Festival has become one of the great influences of the British blues scene. Our roster of international blues performers provides a unique opportunity to see and learn about the roots of international blues, together with a host of new names who will ensure the music lives on for generations to come.

The festival holds a unique position in the history of blues music and is quite remarkable in being one of the longest running events in the UK. Our outstanding reputation for presenting the very best of American, European and British blues artists have brought international attention and helped create the huge infrastructure, which now exists in the UK.

Thousands of music fans flock to Burnley over the Easter weekend to sample the atmosphere and experience the music around the town and the many fringe events happening at numerous pubs and clubs.

The festival itself has created an extremely positive profile for the town and is seen as one of Burnley’s major annual cultural events while gaining a huge amount of local, national and international media coverage. Both Radio 4 and Granada TV have in the past made entire documentaries about the blues phenomenon which together with extensive tabloid and broadsheet editorial coverage puts Burnley firmly at the centre of the British cultural scene.

Primarily funded by Burnley Borough Council the festival has in the past-enjoyed sponsorship by high profile brands such as Aircelle, Thwaites, Budweiser and Country Hotels. If you would like to find out more information about how you can sponsor one of the UK’s most respected and longest running events then please contact Kirk Worley or Barbara Hood at The Mechanics Theatre on 01282 664411.

"If it is Easter in the North of England, it is time for the Burnley Blues Festival. The festival and its expanding fringe hosted an estimated 15,000 people over the weekend. Walking down Church Street on Friday night was a bit like being in Austin, Texas — a band in every bar and a drink in every hand." The Times