Swanage Blues Festival OCTOBER 2024

🗓️ Thursday 3rd – Sunday 6th October 2024

The biannual Swanage Blues Festival brings the distinctive sounds of blues, roots and soul to Swanage’s pubs, bars and music venues each spring and autumn.

This October, enjoy some 60 gigs across 15 great venues in Swanage and Purbeck.

This autumn’s event will be the 40th Swanage Blues Festival, and is being held in memory of festival founder Steve Darrington.

  • Steve Brookes playing at the Greyhound pub in Corfe Castle
  • Paul Cook Blues Band
  • The Paul Cook Blues Band at Swanage Bay View
  • Dave Ferra

“Fans come from all over the world for Swanage’s charm, quirky venues, super scenery and friendly people.

“There’s a magic here that’s been attracting visual and performing artists of all kinds for many years.

“People tell me they love the wide range of blues-based music in venues that are close to each other, meaning they can mix and match the music they like with food, drink and accommodation – and the price makes it a great bargain in a charming Dorset seaside town.”

Steve Darrington, FESTIVAL FOUNDER

Steve Darrington

Sadly, Steve passed away unexpectedly in June 2024, and will be very much missed by the Blues community, both here in Swanage and further afield.

He was a keen musician himself and organised the Swanage Blues Festival for many years.

Steve’s funeral was held on Wednesday 24th July, with a celebration held afterward at Swanage Royal British Legion.

Robin Bibi
Geoff's Jam band playing at Swanage's The Globe Inn
Dave Ferra at Swanage Blues Festival
The Ealing Club merchandise
Robin Bibi's band
Paul Cook Blues Band

Programme

Below is the line-up for this year’s spring Blues festival, so you can get an idea of what to expect across the four days.

We will update with October’s information when it’s released, but a teaser poster shows many returning favourites, plus some new faces including Brotherhood of Sound, Devil’s Avocado, Rob Koral and Trevor Babajack Steger.

Blues Festival autumn 2024 poster

Thursday 29th February

  • 4pm – Geoff’s Jam at The Globe Inn
  • 8.30pm – Hugh Budden & The Blue Chords with guests at Swanage RBL
  • 9pm – Ray Drury & Jon Walsh at The Red Lion

Friday 1st March

  • 2pm – Back Porch at Swanage RBL
  • 2pm – Open Mic with Andy Bradshaw at The Red Lion
  • 3pm – The Amazing Geoff Garbow’s Blues Flavours with Tim Staffell & Paul Stewart at The White Swan
  • 5.30pm – Robin Bibi Band at Swanage Conservative Club
  • 7pm – Trio Pablos at Tawny’s
  • 8pm – Fabulous Duck Brothers at the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club (Studland)
  • 8.30pm – Pete Harris Blues Band at the Legion
  • 8.30pm – Geoff’s Jam at The Globe
  • 8.30pm – The Terraplanes at The Mowlem Showbar
  • 8.30pm – George Hall Trio at the Fonc Lounge
  • 8.30pm – Zoe Schwarz Blue Commotion at The Grand Hotel
  • 9pm – The Mustangs at The White Horse
  • 9pm – Tommy Allen & Jon Vaughan at The Red Lion
  • 9pm – Chicago 9 Rhythm & Blues Band at The White Swan
  • 9pm – Geoff Garbow/Paul Cook Blues Band at Herston Campsite

Saturday 2nd March

  • 12pm – Greg Brice at The Centre
  • 1pm – Robin Bibi Band jam session at the Con Club
  • 1.15pm – Joff Watkins Duo at The Centre
  • 1.30pm – Back Porch at The Grand Hotel
  • 2pm – John McClean & the Clan at Swanage YHA
  • 2pm – Martin McNeill The Greyhound (Corfe Castle)
  • 2pm – Tommy Allen & Jon Vaughan at Herston Campsite
  • 2pm – Open Mic with Andy Bradshaw at The Red Lion
  • 2.30pm – Guy Tortora & Janos Bajtala at The Centre
  • 3pm – Alex Voysey Band at Swanage RBL
  • 3pm – I Spy at The White Swan
  • 3.45pm – Ben White & Thomas Lucas at The Centre
  • 4pm – Junco Shakers in the Mowlem Showbar
  • 5.30pm – The Scoundrels at the Con Club
  • 6pm – Mark Harrison Duo at The Centre
  • 7pm – Pete Harris & Ray Drury at Tawny’s Wine Bar
  • 7.30pm – Staffell & Stewart at The King’s Arms (Langton Matravers)
  • 8.30pm – Martin Warman Band at the Fonc Lounge
  • 8.30pm – Robin Bibi Band at The Legion
  • 8.30pm – Tommy Allen & Jon Vaughan at The Globe
  • 8.30pm – Jimmy Regal & The Royals at The Purbeck Plaza
  • 8.30pm – The Blues Revue hosted by The Paul Cook Blues Band & guests at The Grand Hotel
  • 8.30pm – Thomas Heppell Band in the Mowlem Showbar
  • 9pm – Astles-Couzen Band at Herston Campsite
  • 9pm – The Milk Men at The White Horse
  • 9pm – Carl Jones/Tom B Stone featuring Andy Bradshaw at The Red Lion
  • 9pm – Whisky Chasers at The White Swan

Sunday 3rd March

  • 12pm – Rich Miller at The Centre
  • 1pm – Luke Arnold at The Centre
  • 1pm – Chicago 9 Rhythm & Blues Band at Swanage Con Club
  • 1pm – Open Mic with Andy Bradshaw at The Red Lion
  • 2pm – John McClean & The Clan at The Globe
  • 2pm – Ben White & Thomas Lucas at The Greyhound (Corfe)
  • 2pm – Back Porch at The Mowlem Showbar
  • 2pm – Robin Bibi Band Jam Session at The Legion
  • 2pm – Martin McNeill at The Centre
  • 2.30pm – Hugh Budden & The Blue Chords unplugged plus guests at The Grand Hotel
  • 3pm – Fran McGillivray & Mike Burke at The Centre
  • 3pm – Astles-Couzens Band at The White Swan
  • 3pm – Thomas Heppell solo at The Black Swan
  • 4pm – Dave Kelly at The Centre
  • 8pm – Back Porch at The White Swan
  • 8pm – Pete Harris & Jon Vaughan at The Red Lion
  • 8.30pm – Tommy Allen Band at The Legion
  • 8.30pm – Hugh Budden and the Blue Chords electric with guests at The Grand Hotel

This list may not be exhaustive and may be subject to last-minute changes. For the latest updates keep an eye on Swanage Blues Festival’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/swanagebluesfest/

Festival cost

Swanage Blues Festival is a not-for-profit event and relies on the sale of optional ÂŁ15 supporter wristbands, rather than ticket sales, to cover its cost.

Wristbands will be on sale at a range of venues around town in the lead-up to the festival: www.swanage-blues.org/default.aspx?p=wristbands

More information and line-up announcements can be found on the Swanage Blues Festival website: www.swanage-blues.org/default.aspx