One of the events that Community Rail Lancashire sponsor, The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival in Colne, has been crowned ‘UK Blues Based Festival of the Year’ at the prestigious 2025 UK Blues Awards, held on Wednesday evening at The Stables in Milton Keynes.
This marks the first time the festival has taken home the award from the UK Blues Federation since 2019 – a triumphant return to the spotlight for one of the UK’s most cherished music events.
Organised by Colne Town Council and Artistic Directors, Colne Blues Society, the 2024 festival was a resounding success, welcoming thousands of music lovers to the town over the August bank holiday weekend.
A standout moment was the powerful tribute to blues legend Victor Brox, led by his daughter, Kyla Brox, which captivated audiences and paid heartfelt homage to his enduring legacy.
Across three days, more than 50 artists performed on the festival’s main stages – the Pendle Hippodrome, The Exchange Project Stage, and the newly introduced Little Theatre Acoustic Stage. Festivalgoers enjoyed show-stopping headline sets from Kyla Brox, Dom Martin and Matt Schofield, alongside a rich and diverse line-up of blues talent from across the UK and beyond.
In addition to the main festival programme, the Official Fringe brought an electrifying atmosphere to Colne, with over 130 live performances spread across 13 venues throughout the town. The Fringe showcased the incredible depth of talent in the rhythm & blues scene and gave a platform to many local and emerging artists, further cementing Colne’s reputation as the home of live blues in the UK.
Looking ahead, 2025 will mark the 34th edition of the festival – a testament to its enduring popularity and the community spirit that powers it year after year.
Nathan Cutler, Events & Facilities Officer at Colne Town Council, said: “Winning this award is a huge honour for Colne and everyone who helps make the festival happen – from our dedicated team and volunteers to the incredible artists and our amazing audiences. It’s a recognition of the town’s deep connection to live music and the blues.”
Simon Shackleton, Festival Coordinator at Colne Blues Society, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this award. The 2024 festival was a real celebration of the blues in all its forms, and the feedback we received from artists and attendees alike was phenomenal. This is a win for everyone involved – and a perfect springboard as we look ahead to the 34th festival in 2025.”