WHEN you're hosting a music festival in the heart of the Lake District, it only makes sense to make use of your stunning surroundings.

The organisers of Bowness Bay Blues hit upon a huge success when they decided to take to Windermere lake with their now annual "blues cruise".

The evening gig on a ferry has become one of the most popular parts of the three-day spring event, and tickets are being snapped up quickly ahead of the festival's return in April.

Playing the cruise concert this time around will be talented acoustic performer Matt Woosey, who has played at the festival before - and also has experience of playing on board a boat.

"I've done something similar at the Upton Blues Festival and really enjoyed it," he says.

"I've played just once at the Bowness Bay Blues festival, but I did a couple of gigs in various locations around the town. It was great to play the different venues with each its own different atmosphere and audience.

"That's what I'm looking forward to the most when I play the Blues Cruise - the atmosphere.

"The festival in general is special because as well as having local blues music fans, you get people travelling from all over the country to come and listen to the music in a very special environment, in a very beautiful place.

"You could say that all the people who come for the festival are 'in the same boat'.

"When playing on a boat, it is sometimes necessary to have an extra pint of the local ale to compensate for the movement.

"That's another thing that makes the festival great in my mind, the fantastic selection of local beers."

Having recorded his debut release back in 2008, Woosey is now onto his eighth studio album, Desiderata, which he is touring in support of this summer.

Based in Germany, he has found a group of musicians who join him on the road and add ever changing dynamics to his music.

Having played a series of shows in his new home country, he is looking forward to his latest return to these shores, when he will also play gigs in Maryport and Carlisle, and call in on his old home in Worcestershire.

He continues: "I'm playing in Germany a lot, and I've just started touring with my new band. I'm also playing a lot of solo and duo shows around the country.

"Something that I really love doing out here is playing 'house concerts' in people's living rooms.

"It's a big thing here and it's helping me to spread my name far and wide.

"I'm trying to get more of it going in the UK so I can fill my diary out a bit as I come over four or five times a year for various festivals and concerts and often have down days.

"As well as the Cumbria dates, I'm also looking forward to visiting my hometown of Malvern, where my Mum will no doubt iron a few of my shirts for me.

"I've still not got the hang of it after 32 years!"

Bowness Bay Blues takes place from Friday April 7 to Sunday 9, with the Blues Cruise, featuring Matt Woosey, on the Saturday evening. Tickets for the cruise and festival passes are available via www.bownessbayblues.co.uk and from the Brewery Arts Centre box office, in Kendal.

You can also catch the Matt Woosey Band on tour in the UK throughout July.