Sadness as iconic Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival is cancelled

The legendary festival was due to take place over bank holiday weekend, 27th - 29th August 2021 headlined by Band Of Friends, Kyla Brox, Layla Zoe, Davy Knowles, Mike Farris and more.

Festival organisers Colne Town Council have concluded that, at this time, it is "not possible" to run the event safely.

We reported last year that organisers were hopeful that this year's event would be able to take place, but sadly that has not been possible.

Naomi Crewe, Colne Town Council's Town Clerk, said: "It is with great regret that, in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we cannot find a way to guarantee the safety of our festival goers (often upwards of 25,000 people), venues, traders, performers and staff at this time.

"Although we love the blues festival here in Colne, we love and respect our residents and visitors more. It is the safety of everyone involved in the event which is the motivation for our decision."

All ticket holders will be contacted directly by Friday April 2nd, and given a refund on their purchases.

Updates will also be posted regularly on the festival website and via the festival social media.

The previous Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival (August 2019) was the 30th anniversary of the event, and won the much-coveted UKBlues Award for the Best Blues Based Festival Of The Year.

The event in 2019 was particularly successful, and was enjoyed by thousands of visitors from across the UK and Europe, as well as being a much-loved event for people of the local area.