A festival for feeling blue (From Stroud News and Journal)

A festival for feeling blue

THIS Easter sees the return of the Blues & Beyond Festival to Stroud.

The three-day event will include concerts, dances, workshops and open mic spots and sessions and will be held at The Space and The Subscription Rooms.

"The festival kicks off on Thursday, April 13 with an evening concert from Bluze and Loman," said organiser Sue Torres. "Loman combine eloquent lyricism with melodies that echo the Americana of Neil Young and Union Station with a soupcon of Kate Rusby thrown in.

"The Friday afternoon Concert will start with our very own patron Bob Tilling a knowledgeable country blues performer/performer from Jersey.

He will be followed by Festival favourite Dave Sutherland, who recently received a rave reception in the States.

"Our Friday evening concert will see the fantastic master of the guitar Steve Phillips - one of the greatest blues guitarists Europe has produced, and currently one of the finest anywhere in the world.

"Also on the bill for this evening will be the vibrant duo Billy Newton & Lee Bates followed by Kevin Brown, who since the launch of his solo acoustic album Mojave Dust, has been a leading light in blues and roots music.

"On Saturday, April 15, we have the legendary Animals. The line-up may have changed but the raw energy still burns strong. Original Animals Mickey Gallagher and John Steel are still playing with the band."

Blues and Beyond runs from Thursday, April 13 to Saturday, April 15.

Weekend tickets are available at £30, as well as individual event tickets, from Stroud Tourist Information, who also have copies of the programme available.

For full details of workshop times and artist visit www.bluesandbeyond.co.uk