Earlier this year the Belfast City Blues Festival 2020 was cancelled as a live event due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
However, organisers have worked hard over the last month to find a way of bringing the music to the fans.
Festival director Seamus O’Neill said: “I haven’t let our music fans down yet with the festival and I’m not about to start.”
This year although fans won’t be able to attend the live gigs they will still get their dose of music as a special online show on Saturday, June 27 from 2pm-10pm.
Seamus O’Neill said that the decision in April to postpone the 11th outing for the best of local, national and international musical talent had not been taken lightly.
“The wellbeing of our friends, fans, musicians and Blues family, alongside the amazing staff, volunteers, sponsors and festival team who support us every year was always our number one priority,” he said.
“As we consider what we can do later in the year or next year we’re pleased to host this special online show live from the Blues Bunker.”
Artists confirmed so far are Lee Hedley, Sam Davidson’s Taste, Mirenda Rosenberg, who will stream from the US, The Johnny Max Band, streaming from Canada, The Red Hot Roosters, Dom Martin, Tony Villars and more to be announced.
Lee Hedley said it was important that the Belfast City Blues Festival annual celebration is acknowledged.
“Each year the festival has grown and become such a vibrant part of the city’s musical calendar,” he said. “I’m delighted that we all can play, albeit online, for fans and hopefully raise some money to make sure the festival comes back bigger and better than ever.”
Seamus said that while they are considering a scaled back festival later in the year the June 27 show will again demonstrate the commitment to the best of musical talent.
“From an idea 11 years ago the Belfast City Blues Festival grew to such an extent that by 2019 22,500 visitors flocked to venues,” he said. “The success of the festival is testimony to what we can achieve when we come together.
“Thank you to everyone who has been part of the festival to date and I promise that in 2021 we will be back, bigger and better than ever.”
The online show Live From The Bunker kicks off at 2pm on June 27 and will run for eight hours until 10pm.
For more information and to book your ticket go to https://bit.ly/3hqJ3eY