The Wotton Blues Festival has been one of the most popular events in the town for four years now.

The weekend of free music sees blues bands, duos and soloists come from around the country to perform in venues in the town.

Dave Draisey, chairman of the committee of volunteers that organises the festival, explains how it all came about.

“I’ve been in a blues band for a number of years,” he said, “and a few of us went to the Upton Blues Festival.

“That gave us the blueprint and we wanted to put on a free music festival that anyone could come along to.”

Last year’s festival, says Dave, was their biggest yet, with an estimated 500 visitors flooding into the town – “if you know Wotton-Under-Edge you’ll know that means it was packed!” he added.

Visitors last year came from all over the UK, as well as a few from locations further afield including the Canary Islands and Germany.

The event is able to run thanks to the generous sponsorship of local businesses, and the gigs are held in venues including the Town Hall, Under The Edge Arts, and local pubs.

“The pubs pay for the bands to perform so we can keep it free and all about the music,” said Dave, a Wotton local since he was born in the town in 1950, bar a brief stint away to study.

“It’s good for the community and local business. Shops and food outlets stay open and do well.”

Acts playing the festival this year include The Dusk Brothers, who will open the festival on Friday 20th September, and the internationally renowned Sari Schorr, the festival’s headliner.

Whilst all the shows are free, some, like Schorr, will require pre-booking due to limits on venue capacity.

There will also be a number of workshops on over the weekend, offering visitors the chance to learn tricks of the music trade, including harmonica and guitar lessons.

“We always have workshops with local teachers,” added Dave.

“Phil Harris – who plays in my band – will be doing a guitar workshop and Ben Hewlett has done his harmonica workshop every year.

“They’ll also be doing a sort of ‘history of blues’ tutorial, which also proves to be quite popular.”
The Wotton Blues Festival runs from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd September.

“We’re going to be taking it up a couple of notches this year,” said Dave.

“Altogether we’ve got 13 bands, two duos and two solo acts, as well as buskers we’ve invited to fill the streets with music.”

For more information visit www.wottonbluesfest.org