Every shade of blues

Last updated 11:40, Friday, 25 July 2008

WITH more than 50 acts performing over the weekend, the 10th Maryport Blues Festival is a very different event from the inaugural festival in 1999, when around a dozen bands played over just one day.

Jools Holland

A decade on, it is one of the major blues festivals in the UK. Elkie Brooks, Dionne Warwick, Buddy Guy and Van Morrison have all headlined, and the festival attracts around 20,000 visitors to Maryport.

Local musician and compere at the festival, Mark Singleton, has been involved since the beginning. He said: “The festival was always ambitious, and is now headlined by massive, international acts.

“We have people coming from all over the UK and artists from the four corners of the globe. It’s a real achievement. The success of artists coming through is phenomenal, from Chuck Berry to Jimmie Vaughan.

“And how many times have you watched Jools Holland’s Hootenanny and wished to be part of it – well now you can be, on a Sunday night in your own back garden! It’s excellent.

“In Carlisle and West Cumbria there is a massive music following, and it’s right we are being put on the map, with Van Morrison headlining last year and bands like the Stereophonics playing at the Sands Centre in Carlisle.

“The people of Maryport are incredibly friendly and that’s why a lot of folk come back. The festival’s success is thanks to the volunteers and committee members. It’s shattering putting it all together, so all credit to them and all the people in Maryport who help out.”

For more information and tickets visit www.maryportblues.co.uk. Main stage tickets can be bought on the door (subject to availability).