The Guinness Blues on the Bay festival is celebrating its 12th anniversary by unveiling its largest ever line up for this year’s festival including headline act the James Taylor Quartet as well as with Mirenda Rosenberg, Rab McCullough, Big Daddy, The Smokehouse Boys and The Bluez Katz Blues Band.
They will be joined by nearly 50 other homegrown, UK and internationally acclaimed artists from as far away as Australia and Tallahassee at the fantastic five-day blues festival taking place during the Bank Holiday weekend 27 -31 May 2010 in the picturesque Warrenpoint County Down. With over 90 breathtaking events over five days, it promises to be the biggest and best program ever and already tickets are already selling fast.
Paul Callan, from Diageo® said: “Guinness Blues on the Bay is undoubtedly one of the best live music events in Ireland. Each year it continues to grow both in scale and in the quality of artists appearing. Guinness, with its strong credentials in music following its Arthurs Day celebrations last year, is delighted to be able to support this fantastic event again which brings some of the world’s best blues musicians to Northern Ireland.”
One of the main features of this blockbusting blues fest weekend is the famous ‘Guinness Bay Blues Pub Trail’, with over free 90 gigs in five days, audiences will be treated to a host of internationally acclaimed performers including Australia’s Hat Fitz, Ex. Mama’s Boys; Pat McManus and New York guitar ace; Chaz Depaolo.
Event chairman, Ian Sands said: “This year’s festival has all the great essential ingredients for a world class music event and will surpass all others with nearly 50 artists providing a heady mix of high class blues to an international audience. With high profile events including a live Broadcast by BBC’s Ralph McLean on festival opening night this event is simply unmissible!”
The event is being supported with a host of other activities including a ‘Tall Ships Blues Cruise’ where guests will be treated to the captivating sounds of Grainne Duffy in the tranquil setting of tall ship ‘Artemis’ which will also be docked in Warrenpoint for the duration of the event.
Budding blues musicians will also have the chance to brush up their musical skills or discover hidden talents at the ‘hands-on’ music workshops taking place over the five days.
A Bluesberry event featuring concerts and a food fest in Warrenpoint’s nearby Edwardian town park will also add to the festivities.
The event – a former Northern Ireland Tourist Board ‘Event of the Year’ Award winner now attracts visitors from all over the world as its popularity continues to increase year on year.
The International Guinness® Blues on the Bay Festival is supported by; Diageo, Newry and Mourne District Council, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Warrenpoint Harbour Authority, WBR Chamber of Commerce and P & O Irish Sea.
For further information visit www.bluesonthebay.com, call the ticket hotline 02890246609. Festival programs can also be obtained at Newry and Mourne’s Tourist Offices or Belfast Welcome Centre.
- Rachel Singleton, Ian Sands, Guinness Blues on the Bay Festival Event Chairman and Paul Callan, from Diageo blow away the blues at the launch of the 12th annual Guinness Blues on the Bay Festival which is taking place during the next Bank Holiday weekend 27 -31 May 2010 in Warrenpoint.
