Tenby Blues Festival, that great community event which has the whole seaside town buzzing with good vibes, is back!
The festival takes place during the second weekend in November, with around 50 gigs in over 20 venues - the majority of them being free.
The pubs, cafes, and hotels of Tenby will be stopping off points on the legendary Blues Trail, from noon on the festival Saturday until around 7pm on the Sunday, with a host of free gigs, featuring many newcomers as well as those much loved regulars.
There are nine ticketed events – three in the De Valence, two in the Giltar Hotel, two in Church House, and two in Tenby United RFC – which will present a host of national and international talent playing Blues music in all its forms – from electrifying Rock Blues to downhome Country Blues and touching base with R’n’B, Soul, Americana, Gospel, and Rock ‘n’ Roll on the way.
De Valence headliners are: on Friday, Geraint Watkins - keyboard player to stars such as Sir Macca and Van the Man but a legend in his own right and his special Amercian guest, the Titan of the Telecaster, Bill Kirchen; on Saturday, good time R’n’B danceaholics The Cadillac Kings and on Sunday, Dana Gillespie, the Queen of British Blues who recorded with David Bowie.
Each night there will be two other great bands on the bill at the De Valence including multi-Grammy nominee, American Guy Davis (Saturday) and latest Rock Blues sensation The Zac Schulze Gang (Sunday).
![Guy Davis](https://www.pembroke-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2023/10/25/6/Tenby%20Blues%20Guy%20Davis%201_uploaded.jpg?trim=0,0,0,0&width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
There will be three acts on the Acoustic Stage in the evening slot, headlined by the magnificent Martin Harley.
And the Late Night Sessions are returning to the Giltar Hotel. From midnight on Friday and Saturday, after sets from Big Joe Bone and Bella Collins, a crazy jam will take place into the wee wee hours. Anything can happen!
This year the festival frolics begin on Thursday at Tenby United RFC with a solo show from award winning Welsh guitar maestro James Oliver.
Not enough? Well there’ll be two Saturday afternoon shows in response to public demand from those who can’t get into some of the popular Blues Trail gigs. For only a fiver you’ll be guaranteed a seat to rock to The Worried men in Tenby United RFC or listen to one man hilarious Blues band Andy Twyman after Pendryn Music Prize winning author Darryl Bullock taking about his acclaimed new book, Queer Blues, in conversation with Pure West Radio’s BB Skone in Church House.
This is always one joyful weekend with friendly, happy people enjoying great music in a beautiful place. What’s not to like?
Get your tickets from tenbyblues.co.uk, where you will also find all the information you need, including times, venues, and performers’ details. Tenby Blues Festival is also on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Tenby Blues Festival is grateful for the sponsorship of Pure West Radio, Tenby Brewing Co., The Giltar Hotel, and Bluestone Brewery.