Hebden Bridge Blues Festival, 2011 to 2104: May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Hebden Bridge Blues Festival hangs up it's guitars

As the dust settles and the tidying up begins, the first Hebden Bridge Blues Festival has been a great success.

And what a weekend!. Receiving praise from festival goers and artists alike, we couldn't have done it without you all. The organisers would like to thank everyone involved, and those who performed and visited us. Thank you for making the Festival such a special event.

Continue to follow us here for photos and videos of the festival as it happened, and for information on next years HBBF as it happens.

You can sign up to our mailing list by clicking on the Subscribe link on the top right hand corner of this page.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Hebden Bridge Blues Festival - Monday

After an amazing weekend of the very best in Blues music, are you ready for more?.

Monday brings no let up in the entertainment, with an 'Open Mic' session at the Trades Club, and incorporating a last minute inclusion of WT Feaster with the Mitch Laddie Band. (1pm-5pm.)

The music won't stop till nearly 2am, with P-A-U-L (from Detroit, USA), The Blues Jukes and the last of Paddy Maguire's Midnight Jam Sessions, bringing the inaugural Hebden Bridge Blues Festival to a close. Like all our Jam Sessions, this will be one not to be missed, with artists from the day jamming together for your listening pleasure.

People are already talking about visiting Hebden Blues in 2012, so don't forget to keep visiting us for more information, photos and videos from this years festival, and news on what is to come.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Hebden Bridge Blues Festival - Sunday.

Following on from a fantastic day yesterday, today brings the second of our 'Marquee in the Park' days (12pm-830km) including 24 Pesos, Gerry Jablonski and the Electric Band, After Hours Blues Band, Sharon Colgan Band, The Revelator Band, and The Mentulls. (£20 on the door)

Don't forget to visit the Guitarzone Acoustic Stage at the Hope Baptist Church - get up there and perform yourself, and talk gear with the friendly people from Guitarzone. (Hope Baptist Church, 1300 - 1800)

Don't miss our headline performance at the Hebden Bridge Picture House "Women of Blues" from 8:30, featuring Chantel McGregor, Hooson and Clare Free. Also watch out for a special guest appearance from Cherry Lee Mewis at the Picture House and throughout the day.
( £20 on the door)

Meanwhile at the Trades Club from 830pm we have a fantastic lineup including Paddy Milner and Marcus Bonfanti and their Band, Johnnie White and the Speakeasy Blues Bamd, Crosscut Saw, followed by Paddy Maguires Midnight Jam Session from 12am.

You can also catch performances at our free Juke Joints (see our JUKE JOINTS page for more information). You can also visit the Art Exhibition by Steve 'Pablo' Jones and buy T Shirts, advance Tickets and obtain information from the friendly staff at our Festival Office in Albert Street.

Follow our Facebook page and Twitter stream @hebdenblues for the latest news

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Hebden Bridge Blues Festival - Saturday

A massive day today at the Hebden Bridge Blues Festival, with the first day of our 'Marquee in the Park' (12-8:30pm), featuring music from Pocket of 3, Pie, The Blues Jukes, Marcus Lazarus and Dogs Life, Sam Hare, and headlined by the extraordinary Larry Miller.

We will have drink, food, and a fantastic atmophere, and it is looking like the weather should be kind to us. Tickets available from our Festival Office on Albert Street, or £20 on the door.

Also don't miss our FREE Guitarzone Acoustic stage at Hope Baptist Church, including instruments and equipment to try and buy. 1300 - 1800

Headlining the Festival is the performance this evening by Lance Lopez and his band at the Hebden Bridge Picture House, 2030 - 0000. Supported by Bex Marshall and Krissy Matthews. £20 on the door

Meanwhile at the Trades Club 2030 - 0100am we have Tony Dowler's Hellhounds, Crybaby & the Hoochie Coochie Boys and Dan Hudson. This will be followed by the irrepressible Paddy Maguire and his Midnight Jam Session with guests artists from the day.
(£10 adv / £12 door).

Don't forget our Jam Sessions are free from 12am to any ticket holders from any event during the day, on a first come first served basis.

Hebden Bridge Blues Festival - Friday night.

A fantastic start to the first HBBF, with well received performances all over Hebden Bridge at all our venues, and standing room only at the Hebden Bridge Trades Club. Headlined by Jon Amor Blues Group and Poor Boy.

This was followed at midnight by a inspiring and historic Paddy Maguires Midnight Jam Session, with guests including Lance Lopez and Chris Gipson from the USA, Jon Amor, Hooson and more. What an evening!

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We still have tickets available for most of our events if you pay on the door.

Friday, May 27, 2011

The first Hebden Bridge Blues Festival - It starts today!

Today is the start of the inaugural Hebden Bridge Blues Festival, which kicks off with Blues goes to the Movies at the Trades Club from 1pm.

From 8:30pm, the live performances begin at the Trades Club, with Jon Amor Blues Group, Poor Boy, and the first of the truly unique Paddy Maguire's Midnight Jam Sessions. This is an event not to be missed, though we can say no more about it.

(Tickets £8 in advance, £10 at the door.)

Also don't forget our 'Juke Joint' performances, spreading the Blues across Hebden Bridge, including -

Will Tang at B@rplace, Blue Kings at Hole in t' Wall, MT Arms at Marshall's Bar and Chris Martin at Nelsons Wine Bar.

We still have a few tickets available for all our shows, available from our Ticketline on 01422 84 55 22 or on the door.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Check out the Headliners

A taste of what you can expect at this weekends Hebden Bridge Blues Festival

Jon Amor Blues Group - Headlining the opening night at The Trades Club, Friday 27th May

Larry Miller - Headlining the Marquee in the Park, Saturday 28th May

Lance Lopez - Headlining the Hebden Bridge Picture House, Saturday 28th May

Tony Dowler's Hellhounds - Headlining The Trades Club, Saturday 28th May

24 Pesos - Headlining the Marquee in the Park, Sunday 29th May

Chantel McGregor - Headlining the Women of Blues, Hebden Bridge Picture House, Sunday 29th May

Paddy Milner & Marcus Bonfanti - Headlining The Trades Club, Sunday 29th May

P-A-U-L - Headlining The Trades Club, Monday 30th May

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Special Guest Appearances of Cherry Lee Mewis

We are pleased to announce the special guest appearance of Cherry Lee Mewis at the Hebden Blues Festival.

Cherry was Midlands area finalist at the recent New Brunswick Battle of the Bands Competition, and is a new name to watch on the Blues scene. As Hebden Blues is all about promoting promising artists, we are very excited to have Cherry performing for us.

You can catch Cherry at the Guitarzone Acoustic Stage and at the 'Marquee in the Park' during the Sunday afternoon, as well as during the 'Women of Blues' show at the Picture House later.

In a final treat, you will also be able to catch her at Paddy Maguire's Midnight Jam Sessions (again on Sunday evening) at the Trades Club.

Hebden Blues Festival - Competition Time!

Hebden Blues Twitter Competition

To win the amazing prize of four 'weekend' tickets for the Hebden Bridge Blues Festival, please answer the following question.

One of our headline performances is the 'Women of Blues' night at the Picture House on Sunday 29th May. Name our 'Women of Blues'.

Please email your competition answer, including your Name, Address and daytime contact telephone number to with the subject TWITTER COMPETITION

The winning entry will be selected at random on the morning of Friday 27th May, with the winner contacted directly shortly after that.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Winner of Robert Johnson Competition announced/ Private Launch Party

We are pleased to announce that the winner of our Robert Johnson Competition is Jeff Cox of Todmorden. The winning entry was selected from a hat at random by new Hebdenroyd Mayor Scott Trinkett, who attended our Private Launch Party at Croft Mill Apartments, on Friday 20th. Jeff won two tickets to see our headline act Lance Lopez at the Picture House.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Guitarzone Acoustic Stage at Hope Baptist Church

Got the Blues? Come and take part in the Blues Open Mic Sessions on the Acoustic Stage at Hope Baptist Church (opposite the Picture House) in Hebden Bridge.

Sat 28th and Sun 29th May, 12-6pm.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Graham Robinson at the White Swan Juke Joint

As part of the "Juke Joint" or "Fringe" events going on around the Hebden Bridge Blues Festival, ragtime and blues guitarist Graham Robinson will be playing at the White Swan in Hebden Bridge from 9pm on Saturday 28th May.

Originally from Jarrow on Tyne but now living in Colne, Lancashire, Graham has been a blues devotee since he was 14 years of age. Originally inspired to learn the guitar, and drawn to the blues by the brilliant playing of Peter Green in his days with Fleetwood Mac. This initial inspiration led to a voyage of discovery into the magical world of the blues via B.B.King, Freddie King, Otis Rush, T-Bone Walker and then on to the earliest recorded performers such as Blind Lemon, Blind Willie Johnson, Blind Blake, Lonnie Johnson, Blind Boy Fuller and others.

Graham's playing reflects the styles of the early blues masters particularly the east coast, syncopated styles of Blind Blake and Blind Boy Fuller. However, other major influences include Bo Carter, Lonnie Johnson, Rev. Gary Davis, Memphis Minnie & Kansas Joe, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Big Bill Broonzy, Fred McDowell, Sleepy John Estes, Mississippi Sheiks, Delmore Brothers, and the Memphis Jug Band to name but a few. A typical performance includes impassioned renditions of a selection of songs from the above artists played with energy and conviction on a very old Stella, and National resonator guitars.

Graham has played at the Colne, Burnley, Dundee, Maryport and Upton-on-Severn Blues Festivals. He has played support to blues performers as diverse as Paul Lamb & The King Snakes, The Spike Drivers, Steve James, The Cadillac Kings, Rag Mama Rag, Michael Roach & Johnny Mars, Olli Brown, Ian Siegal, Hans Theesink and Nine Below Zero at venues throughout the north of England.

Admission is free so this is well worth a look.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Celebrating the 100 Year Anniversary of Robert Johnson's Birth

Sunday 15th 2011 was the 100^th Anniversary of the birth of Robert Johnson. Called the most important Blues player that ever lived by Eric Clapton, and included in Rolling Stone Magazines 100 Greatest Guitar Players of All time, Johnson did not get the recognition he deserved in his own lifetime.

Not much is known about the early years of one of the most influential Blues players. Born sometime in 1911 in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, he was a wandering musician until his untimely death in 1938, said to have been poisoned by a jealous husband.

Fortunately for the world, Johnson recorded several albums in the last years before his death. It wasn’t until his records were re-released in 1961 that his work became successful, reaching a worldwide audience, and influencing new generations of musicians and music lovers alike.

To celebrate the event, Hebden Blues Festival are running a competition. The winning submission will be drawn from a hat at the private launch party on 20^th May, and the lucky winner will receive two tickets to see our headline act, Lance Lopez, performing at the Picture House on 28^th May.

Competition Question:

According to his death certificate, what is the name of the church where Robert Johnson is buried?

Entries should be received by us no later than the end of 19^th May, either by email to or by post to Competition, Hebden Blues, Unit 3B, Beehive Mills, Hebble End, Hebden Bridge, HX76HJ. Competition winners will be notified on 20th May. Please include Name, Address and a daytime telephone number.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Weekend Tickets

Due to popular demand we can now offer a 'weekend package', which includes tickets to every event for an incredible £75.

This represents a saving of over 40% compared with buying on the day.

The 'early bird' offer of 10% off for 2-3 events and 25% for 4 or more events still stands, if you cant make it for the whole weekend and wish to buy tickets individually.

Call the ticket line on 01422 845522.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

"Paddy Maguire's Midnight Jam Sessions" at the Trades Club

Don't forget, during the festival "Paddy Maguire's Midnight Jam Sessions" at the Trades Club can be attended free of charge, by anyone wearing a bracelet from any of that days events. This is strictly on a first come first served basis, until the venue is full - so don't hang around!.

It's where artists from each day will get the chance to jam together, possibly for the first and only time. This is your chance to catch a bit of Blues history in the making!.

"Paddy Maguire's Midnight Jam Sessions" take place around midnight, at the end of each day, 27th-30th, at the Trades Club on Holme Street.

Friday, May 6, 2011

"Blues goes to the Movies" - Friday 27th May

As a part of the opening day of the festival, the Hebden Bridge Trades Club will be hosting a free viewing of movies about the Blues. Currently confirmed as one of the films will be FullMoonLightnin', a documentary on the journey of two Blues players, by John C Gardiner.

"A spiritual four year journey through heartache, abandonment and racial divide told through the parallel stories of two blues artists. One seeking to discover what will make him whole again while the other is desperate to hold onto what he already has".

The official website for the film can be found here
The viewing will be at the Hebden Bridge Trades Club on Holme St, 1pm to 5pm.

"Britain in Blues" May Issue features Lance Lopez article

Check out the article on Lance Lopez, the Texas Blues superstar who will be headlining the festival, in this months issue of Britain in Blues.

The trip to Britain will be Lance’s first visit to the UK and, amazingly, playing at the Hebden Bridge Blues Festival will be his first performance in the country. Born in Louisiana, Lance is now Texas through and through. Lance’s ancestors originally came from England and Wales, and so it very much feels like he is returning to his roots. He also holds British artists in high regard, particularly Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck and Matt Schofield. “British music has shaped American music, we grew up on it. Coming to the UK is a big deal for me. I’ve toured all over Europe, but never made it to Britain before”.

Lance will be playing at the Hebden Bridge Picture House on 28^th May.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Buy Tickets in advance - selling fast

Hebden Blues Festival Ticket Line is now open again, after our holiday break. Buy your tickets in advance, make savings, and take advantage of benefits only available to ticket holders during the festival weekend, including use of our special bus routes, and quicker entrance to venues.

Tickets are available from the Hotline on 01422 84 55 22. Card payments can be made over the phone, and there is no booking fee. Lines are open Mon-Fri 9-5pm. Discounted tickets only available from the Ticket Line.