THE sixth Bowness Bay Blues festival will take place in April, with more than 30 live performances over three days.

International names and some of the UK's favourite live acts will appear at venues in and around the Lake District town from Friday April 7 to Sunday 9.

There is a full programme on the opening Friday , which gets under way at 2pm with a busking performance from acoustic artist Phil Saunders.

He also performs later in the evening at The Elleray hotel.

The Lake District Boat Club hosts its first two performances of the weekend, with a 3pm set from Dean Newton and then a 7pm show from young Cumbrian artist Luke Matear.


Luke Matear Lancashire-based artist Evie Plumb - currently making a big impression with her new electronic band, Lowes - brings her solo set to the Hole In T'Wall, this time from 7.30pm, and the Wheelhouse, home to all the headline sets this year, has three live sets from 7.30pm: South Lakes classic rockers Changing State and highly-regarded festival favourites The Stumble, followed by Aussie guitarist Geoff Achison .

His headline performance will see him joined by an all-star line-up of well-known British blues stars, on his first visit to the UK in four years. The Souldiggers 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.

A packed Saturday bill also includes a "Windermere Fringe", with acts such as Buzz, Rucksacks, Dean Newton, Benjamin Bassford, Sparky and the Wailers, and Mike Ross appearing throughout the course of the day. Down in Bowness, the first full set of the day is on the Quayside, as London Delta blues player Big Joe Bone appears from 12.30pm, and Benjamin Bassford and Mike Ross both have gigs at Beresford's restaurant.
Robin Bibi

There's a trio of well-regarded names on at the Boat Club between 2pm and 8pm, with Robin Bibi, Catfish and RainBreakers all on the bill.

This year's blues cruise - on-board a Windermere Lakes Cruises boat - comes from Germany-based solo act Matt Woosey , who is in the UK for a series of live dates. That runs from 6.30pm, and tickets can be booked separately.

The three shows in the evening at the Wheelhouse include another set from Changing State and up-and-coming star Troy Redfern, and topping the bill are LaVendore Rogue.

The acclaimed new roots band are rated among UK blues' best prospects, featuring three ex-Hokie Joint members - two of whom are British Blues Award winners.


Matt Woosey The shorter Sunday session gets under way at 12.30pm at the Boat Club with a set from Troubadour, followed by Southampton act Backwater Roll. The Samantha Holden Band rounds out the evening at the venue.

At the Hole In T'Wall, the Elderly Brothers have an afternoon appearance, and the Wheelhouse stages its final two performances - the Ash Wilson Band, featuring the highly-regarded guitarist and vocalist in the frontman role, and then The Revolutionaires have a headline set, playing their 1940s and 50s-style R&B.

It is then back to the Hole In T'Wall for the final performance of the festival, with Matt Woosey following up his previous night's blues cruise with a full live show.

Tickets for the individual days, as well as weekend passes and blues cruise tickets, can be booked via www.bownessbayblues.co.uk