The Great British R&B Festival 2023

LoCaL MuSiC ScEnE COLNE - WEEK IN WEEK OUT

Photography by John Williams Local Photographer

Bonny Colne on the Hill, ‘Bluestown’, a jewel in the crown of the northwest live music scene. For over thirty years this quirky little northern mill town has played host to one of the most important community music festivals in Europe. Music oozes from the pores of this town. So many top class musicians have grown up here and cut their musical teeth performing in its pubs and clubs, and on its festival fringe stages. Some of them, who were young children when the festival debuted in 1990, will be gracing its main stages in 2023. Colne has always had a great live music scene. Four long-standing weekly open mic nights continue to attract young up-and-coming talent. New Market Street, ‘Blues Central’, boasts two dedicated grass-roots music venues in Boyce’s Barrel and Mojo’s, where you’ll find live music three or four nights every week. The Dresser’s Club regularly hosts both well-established and new local bands, and plays an important role in Colne Blues Society fundraising events. Many of the other bars, such as The Crown, The Commercial, and The Venue continue to be a part of a local live music scene that is burgeoning once again following the covid hiatus. And, of course, no fewer than fourteen of our great local establishments have pledged their support to the festival by becoming Official Fringe venues.

52 www.bluesfestival.co.uk