BluesFest Confirms First Headline Acts

The fourth edition of London’s BluesFest will run for six days in October, promoters have confirmed.

And they’ve announced the first group of headline acts, all of whom will be celebrating their blues roots: Sheryl Crow, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello and Georgie Fame.

The annual event is held at the Royal Albert Hall for the second time this year, after the 2013 edition featured Robert Plant, Ronnie Wood, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Mavis Saples, Chris Rea and many others.

Venue boss Jasper Hope says: “Unlike any other time in the six years I have been here, the whole building was alive all day, every day – there were even concerts in the cafe.”

Live Nation chief John Reid adds: “Last year’s decision to bring the whole festival under one roof was an undeniable success. This year we’re excited to have expanded to six days and nights – and we look forward to establishing BluesFest as one of the UK’s most exciting and musically diverse festivals.”

Costello, for one, is delighted at the potential, saying: “I’ve waited a, long, long time to share a bill with Georgie Fame – and there’s no better address to do it than the Albert Hall.”

Bluesfest 2014 runs form October 26-31, and tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday.