Southport Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival

To celebrate our return to Southport after launching the first Blues Festival there in 2014, our aim was to put together a line-up that will appeal to live music lovers with wide musical tastes, attract people of all ages and offer great value for money.  With the Animals & Friends headlining, artists that span musical generations, rising stars from across the channel.........all leaving their own mark on the music scene; we think we have got it right! 

In 1964 a wave of new energetic rock and roll swept over the youth of the world.  On the crest of this wave was The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and of courseThe Animals.  From the banks of the River Tyne came the North East's offering; a brand of rhythm n blues that the whole world seemed to grasp greedily

The full line up is as follows:

The Animals & Friends – need anything else be said!

Henrik Freischlader Band - After numerous experiments, whether in a trio or with an eight-member, international big band, Henrik Freischlader is now returning to where it all started - for the blues!

Kyla Brox Band - Blues and soul become inextricably entwined in award-winning singer-songwriter, Kyla Brox, whose raw talent has seen her described as “the finest female blues singer of her generation”!

The Cinelli Brothers - Marco & Alessandro Cinelli champion a new generation of musicians sharing a love of Blues, Soul, R&B with authentic sounds that have made blues a cornerstone of music history!

Mojo Preachers - are a five-piece, female fronted, boundary-pushing outfit, delivering hard-hitting original tunes; conjuring up a melodiously intricate, authentic yet unconventional sound!

Connor Selby Band - inspired by music in the 60’s citing Eric Clapton as his first and current major influence, putting particular emphasis on his output with John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers and Cream!

In 1875, William Atkinson offered Southport Corporation £6,000 to build an art gallery and library for the town......three years later the Atkinson Art Gallery and Library opened its doors.  Since then significant investment has been made in refurbishing this stunning 19th century building to create a welcoming and accessible multi art-form venue with a strong contemporary feel.

The Atkinson is Southport’s home for music, theatre, art, literature and history in the middle of the iconic Lord Street and just 3 minutes’ walk from Southport train station.  The traditional Theatre and dynamic Studio space present an outstanding programme of music, comedy and performing arts from some of the UK’s foremost musicians, actors, performers and companies.

No need to worry about searching for food and drinks on the day either, there will be a range of alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, real ales available and a varied menu that should meet everyone's taste!