Inverness to host new international blues festival for Highland music fans
Inverness will host its first ever International Blues Festival next year - and tickets are on sale now.
The inaugural Inverness International Blues Festival will take place in the city’s historic and newly renovated Northern Meeting Park on Saturday, March 28.
The event will kick off at 11am with live acts until late - and will bring together seven legendary blues artists and international talent to create “soul-stirring performances in a family-fun atmosphere”.
Organisers are promising “some of the best blues artists in the world – a first for the Highlands and rare collection of talent for the UK”.
Provost of Inverness, Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said: “Our Blues Festival promises a first-class collection of international acts travelling predominantly from America, to perform at the Inverness Northern Meeting Park.
“This exciting new festival is in the spirit of the City of Inverness Area Committee’s commitment to deliver an Events Programme which attracts new talent and helps the vibrancy of the city, all funded by the Inverness Common Good Fund and sponsors.”
The seven announced acts are Fabulous Thunderbirds (USA), Grammy award nominee Southern Avenue (USA), Robbin Kapsalis (USA) & Oscar Wilson (USA) with the Giles Robson Band (UK). Alvin Youngblood Hart’s Muscle Theory (USA), West Weston's Bluesonics (UK). The Future Shape of Sound (UK), and Alice Armstrong (UK).
The Inverness International Blues Festival has been made possible with significant sponsorship from HAVENTUS Port of Ardersier and partnerships with Visit Inverness and Loch Ness and Highland Hotels Association.
The organisers with to also pay special thanks also go to blues aficionado Kevin Hillier who “through his exceptional expertise and talent has sourced and secured world class acts for the festival”.
Blues promoter Kevin Hillier said: “We are taking this festival back to the blues festivals of old with some of the best international blues acts seen together in the UK for some time.”
The festival is expected to draw visitors from across the globe, boosting local tourism in the shoulder months of the season and showcasing the City of Inverness as a vibrant hub for live music and cultural events.
Ellen Fogel Walker, destination director, Visit Inverness Loch Ness said: “As Visit Inverness Loch Ness we are committed to improving awareness of our area as a year-round destination.
“Therefore, we are delighted to be working in partnership with Inverness Events & Festivals Working Group through the Inverness Common Good Fund to bring a new and exciting event to the destination's calendar and raise awareness of the recently renovated Northern Meeting Park.
“We are hopeful that this event will be one of many new larger events and conferences that will make use of this historic venue alongside Bught Park. Together, we are confident that these two venues will enable us to attract a wider array of conferences and events for the Inverness area.”
Craig Ewan, chair of the Highland Hotels Association added: “Our members are thrilled to support this new and exciting festival that aims to bring economic benefits to Inverness attracting new opportunities for the local accommodation and hospitality sector.
“We are wholly behind this venture to promote the profile and vibrancy of the city in the quieter end of the season. The Northern Meeting Park offers a perfect setting for what we hope will become a signature event in Scotland’s cultural calendar."
Local food and drink stalls and the newly renovated seating in the Northern Meeting pavilion will provide family-friendly entertainment and facilities throughout the nlues event.
Tickets are on sale now, with early bird discounts available.
For more details, visit https://invernessbluesfestival.com.