NEWS: WIN TICKETS TO THE PACKED LINE-UP TAKING TO THE STAGE FOR BELFAST CITY BLUES FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER

AS momentum grows towards the 10th Annual Belfast City Blues Festival 2018 a special fundraising show is set to blow off the post-Christmas cobwebs and raise the roof at the Empire, this Saturday, January 6. -  and you can win a pair of tickets to the show.

With proceeds going to support next year’s city wide festival tribute act Tinn Lizzy will take to the stage alongside Crow Black Chicken, Kick The Bucket Blues Band, Rab McCullough, Ronnie Greer and Lee Hedley.

To win tickets - just send your name and address here.

Festival Director Seamus O’Neill said: “This is a special January show, we want to ensure that next year’s festival is the biggest and best yet as we’ll be celebrating our tenth year.

“We’re delighted to have such a line-up mounting the Empire’s stage, and I’m sure everyone will have one superb night with great music and great craic.”

The Belfast City Blues Festival is an annual event held in multiple venues across the city. 2018 will mark the 10th anniversary of the festival and Seamus says blues fans can be sure it's going to make a big impression.

He added: "After a decade of festivals we're really excited about putting our 2018 10th Anniversary programme together.

"We're looking forward to working with all our festival partners and artists once again as well as developing new relationships as we see the festival grow bigger and better than ever before."

At the 2018 Belfast City Blues Festival homegrown Northern Ireland acts will be joined by national and international bands and musicians exploring the rich heritage of the blues across the country and further afield.

Tinn Lizzy are one of the leading tribute acts to the legendary Dublin rockers. All the way from Clonmel are Crow Black Chicken whose blend of folk, blues and rock have earned themselves rave reviews from the likes of Classic Rock.

Omagh’s Kick The Bucket Blues Band is a four-piece renowned for their fiercely intense live shows, while McCullough, Greer and Hedley need no introduction as they’re legends on the local scene.

Tickets for the fundraising show are on sale now, priced £12 (+ booking fee) from The Empire and all Ticketmaster outlets.  For more information log onto Facebook.com/ officialbelfastcitybluesfestival

NEWS: Pat McManus to headline Belfast City Blues fundraiser at Belfast's Empire

WITH the success of the Belfast City Blues Festival 2017 still ringing in fans’ ears next year’s thrust begins next month with a star-studded fundraiser headlined by six-string slinging Pat McManus.

The fundraising show is at Belfast’s Empire on September 16, with proceeds going to support next year’s city wide festival.

The full line-up sees Blackwood deliver their ‘Taste of Rory’ tribute to the late, great Rory Gallagher, the usual stunning set from The Willie Byrne Band and the always mesmerizing guitar histrionics of The Pat McManus Band.

Festival Director Seamus O’Neill said: “This is a special show, not just because of these three great acts, but because this is about making sure the Belfast Blues Festival in 2018 will be bigger and better than ever.

“Anyone who saw Pat, Willie and Blackwood at this year’s festival knows they deliver songs that will knock you over!”

The Belfast City Blues Festival is an annual event held in multiple venues across the city. 2018 will mark the 10th anniversary of the festival and Seamus says blues fans can be sure it’s going to make a big impression.

He added: “After a decade of festivals we’re really excited about putting our 2018 10th Anniversary programme together.

“We’re looking forward to working with all our festival partners and artists once again as well as developing new relationships as we see the festival grow bigger and better than ever before.”

At the 2018 Belfast City Blues Festival homegrown Northern Ireland acts will be joined by national and international bands and musicians exploring the rich heritage of the blues across the country and further afield.

Tickets for the fundraising show are on sale now, priced £12.50 (+ booking fee) from all Ticketmaster outlets.

NEWS: 50 gigs in 22 venues for ninth Belfast City Blues Festival

ROCK and metal evolved from the blues - and all self-respecting fans enjoy a little bit of the blues.

Well, on the weekend of June 23rd to 25th, the ninth Belfast City Blues Festival sees 50 gigs across 22 venues in a packed agenda filled with highlights.

From 'A Taste of Rory' featuring The Pat McManus Band, the Willie Byrne Band and Blackwood, through to two sets from The Steve Payne Trio (SP3) that includes Belfast's Billy Boy Miskimmin alongside the Bristolian legendary roots/blues man.

From shows in the Black Box, through to a Blues Cruise on Belfast Lough many of the shows are free and those that charge within the affordable range.

The likes of Rab McCullough are on the line-up, but one old rockers will definitely pencil in is a show by a rejuvenated Light - featuring the music of Jim Armstrong. Speedo Wilson will be taking over axe-duties for tracks like 'Castles In The Sand', 'The Dancer' and 'Harland and the Wolf'.

Belfast City Blues Festival, with main sponsor American Holidays, is what can be easily described as a weekend is packed full of gigs as well as amazing opportunities, including the now famous Blues On The Boat Music Cruises, taking place over the weekend on Belfast Lough. More than just music, there will be tasty food and drinks to spend a perfect Saturday afternoon sailing. The cruises are set to host top performers The Fabulous Mustangs, Rab McCullough & The Rev Doc and Lee Hedley & Co.

Topping off the Saturday night, the Belfast Barge Gigs will be showcasing some of the finest local blues talent in a chilled atmosphere. Performers include The Kenny McDowell Project and The Ronnie Greer Band featuring Ken Haddock.

Festival go-ers can also enjoy the Big Belfast City Blues Busk, taking place across the city with a top prize of £200.

At the Record & Memorabilia Fair fans can find the best of blues merchandise and vintage records from the best traders in the business. It’s just one of many events taking place at The Black Box and will be turning the city of Belfast into a celebration of the genre, blues fans of all backgrounds can come together on this vibrant, fun-filled weekend.

Other sponsors of the festival include Belfast City Council, Kolor Master Belfast, Sunday World,

Berts, FT Contracts, Aer Lingus, Guinness and U105.