IT'S a true reflection of Bowness Bay Blues' growth over the past six years that the Lake District festival can now attract respected acts from all over the world.

One of its headliners this time will be Australian singer-songwriter Geoff Achison, along with his UK-based line-up of musicians, The Souldiggers.

Previously a regular visitor to these shores, his spring tour will be his first trip to the UK in around four years, and he can't wait for his first taste of this thriving Cumbrian event.

"I visited the UK regularly when I was working with manager John Adams, but once he retired I haven’t made it back to the UK since about 2013," he says.

"It was always a highlight of my annual touring schedule - the audiences are just superb and I occasionally get to spend a little time chatting with folks which makes it much like catching up with old friends. I love the guys I work with too so I’m super excited to be coming back."

Geoff's UK Souldiggers line-up will be made up of the circuit's finest session musicians, and he will be reunited with two of his long-term tourmates. They provide the perfect backing for his own guitar masterclass, which often includes a handful of covers from the likes of Albert King and Robert Johnson.

It has been almost 20 years since his first run of shows in this country, and most local blues fans will most likely have seen him appearing at some of the county's top events and clubs, but this headline slot will be one of his biggest Cumbrian shows so far.

"I play a lot of festivals so I guess the expectations are much the same as anywhere," he says.

"Most days we are all scattered amongst regular people in our respective societies, but at a blues festival, we are united and happy.

"I rarely get the time to go out and see other acts so music festivals are often our opportunity to see new acts and meet up with our musician pals who are similarly out on the circuit playing their own shows.

"I'm mostly looking forward to getting together with my UK Souldiggers band. It’s been a while.

"When I travel overseas, I’m supplied with local musicians but I would say the personnel has morphed into its current form over the years rather than it being the result of a ‘head-hunting’ operation.

"On my first visit to the UK in 1998, I had an Aussie mate who was living in London put a group together for me. We did some good shows and so by the time the second tour happened we had enough of a buzz that I was able to hire some pro-players.

"That '99 line-up included the great drummer Sam Kelly, who has been with me on every UK tour since. This year we also have Paul Jobson on keys - a remarkable musician who first toured with me in 2005 - and like Sam, he is super busy so I’m always glad to have him on stage with me.

"We have a new bass-man, Andy Hodge, who was recommended by the other guys, so I’m making sure I get some practice in. These guys are world class!"

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Worthy headliners of an already astounding line-up, which will see up-and-coming Delta blues stars LaVendore Rogue, 50s R&B throwbacks The Revolutionaires, and blistering blues six-piece The Stumble share top bill with Geoff and the boys.

The location is almost an added bonus, providing the stunning back-drop for all these renowned performers, strutting their stuff across the town for three days.

It's an area Geoff knows reasonably well, but a trip to the heart of the Lake District is always one of the trips that he looks forward to.

He continues: "I’m from the Antipodes, where the oldest architecture is still waiting for the paint to dry, so I’m always blown away by the iconic structures that abound in that part of the world.

"It’s extraordinary and I really lap it up while I’m there.

"Musically, I’ve had amazing times performing to enthusiastic crowds there who really know their stuff.

"A lot of effort goes into putting a tour together. The shows are booked and so now, besides the long journey across the planet, it will soon be time to start driving.

"We’ll cover many miles, we’ll have many late nights and there’ll be a lot of setting the alarm to ensure we're on time for the next sound-check.

"It can be exhausting but it’s the music that keeps us going. However, the music can’t keep going without our people there to enjoy the magic of sound with us.

"I hope we have a full house every night so that we can do it again."

Bowness Bay Blues 2017 runs at venues across the town from Friday April 7 to Sunday 9. You can catch Geoff Achison and the UK Souldiggers headlining the opening night. Tickets are available now via www.bownessbayblues.co.uk