Blues event back for second year (From Stroud News and Journal)

Blues event back for second year

MUSIC lovers are set to paint the town blue this spring when Stroud's newest festival returns for a second year.

The latest collaboration between Sue Torres and John Eeles, the people who brought you the fFringe Festival, will see some top notch blues acts playing in Stroud over the Easter weekend.

"It's called the Stroud Blues and Beyond Festival to take in some of the genres that are kind of bluesy but not strictly pure blues," said Sue. "Saying that, most of this year's line-up are blues acts."

The Subscription Rooms and The Space will be used as the venues for a line-up of acts including Dr Feelgood, Soul Diggers, Geoff Achison Band, Michael Messer with Ed Genis, Mike Dowling, Chris James, Dave Sutherland, the Spike Drivers, Sons of Delta, Maxwell Street and blues boffin Bob Pilling. "It will be a cross between concerts and dance," said Sue.

"Dr Feelgood will get people on their feet but some of the others will be more of a sit down thing.

"It's very participatory with lots of workshops so you can come and have a go and learn from the artists.

"There will be open mic slots at The Space on the Friday and Saturday so if there are any budding blues players out there they'll be able to get up and show their stuff. "The idea is to encourage new talent."

Last October Sue and John announced they were bowing out of running the fFringe after nine years to 'let the community reclaim the running of such a well-loved event.'

So is the Blues and Beyond festival a replacement reflecting changing tastes and direction? "Not really, running events is just our background," said Sue.

"We've been involved in the Goodwill Evening, Party in the Park and John's done all sorts of stuff up and down the country. "We're trying to start it off smallish, it's not a massive festival.

"But I don't see why it couldn't be built up to be a long weekend, as it's over the bank holiday.

"Not everybody goes away at Easter and why not stay and listen to some quality music in Stroud?"

The festival will run from Thursday, March 24 to Sunday, March 26. Tickets are available from the Subscription Rooms box office on online at www.bluesandbeyond.co.uk