Swanage Blues Festival OCTOBER 2026

🗓️ Thursday 1st – Sunday 4th October 2026

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

This October the festival is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

  • 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

Line-Up

The line-up for 2026 has been announced, and includes the following acts, which have been navigated in this year’s UK Blues Award:

  • Adam Norsworthy (Mustangs/Milkmen: Contemporary Artist of the Year
  • Emma Wilson: Traditional Artist of the Year, Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year
  • Greg Brice: Acoustic Act of the Year
  • Jack-Austin Despy Blues Band: Jules Fothergill Young Artist of the Year, Emerging Artist of the Year
  • Kaspar Berry Rapkin: Jules Fothergill Young Artist of the Year
  • Kirris Riviere & the Delta du Bruit: Emerging Artist of the year, Contemporary Artist of the year
  • Neil Grove: Jules Fothergill Young Artist of the Year
  • Jon Amor Trio: Band of the Year
  • Robin Bibi: Traditional Artist of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year
  • The Milk Men: Band of the Year
  • Tomas Heppell: Traditional Artist of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year
  • Vince Lee & Sophie Lord: Traditional Artist of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year
  • Zoe Schwarz, Rob Koral & Friends: Album of the Year

In addition, you can look forward to some great gigs from:

  • 99 Bucks
  • Andy Twyman
  • Back Porch
  • Ben White & Thomas Lucas
  • Blue Touch
  • Blues Cruise
  • Box Car Blues
  • C Bone Band
  • Cat Alley Dogs
  • Chicago 9 Blues Band
  • Devil’s Avocado
  • The Ealing Collective
  • The Fabulous Fez Heads
  • Fat Finger
  • Fran McGillvray Band
  • Geoff Garbow Band
  • The Hot Tamales
  • Hugh Budden & the Blue Chords
  • I Spy & Another
  • Joe Kash
  • John Walsh Blues Dogs
  • Jon Amor Trio
  • John McClean & the Clan
  • Jono Rowland
  • Kaspar & Lucy
  • Lee Signey
  • Open mic with Andy Bradshaw
  • Ray Drury & Jon Walsh
  • Rich Miller
  • Southern Blues Collective
  • The Mighty Howlers
  • The Mustangs
  • The Pete Harris Band
  • The Rigmarollers
  • The Rolling Drunks
  • The Southern Slamdoor Band
  • Will Killeen
  • Yabooty

A full programme with days and timings will be released in due course.

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

Festival cost

Swanage Blues Festival is a not-for-profit event and relies on the sale of optional £20 supporter wristbands, rather than ticket sales, to cover its costs.

Please note: The new price of £20 for 2026 reflects increased costs and to enable the festival to attract new acts to keep it thriving and growing.

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

Steve Darrington – festival founder

Sadly, the Swanage Blues Festival founder Steve passed away unexpectedly in June 2024, and is 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 described Swanage as having “a magic 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.”

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