Northern Ireland

Belfast City Blues Festival: Lineup announced as musical extravaganza returns for 15th year

This year’s festival has been dedicated to late Irish News photographer Hugh Russell

Internationally acclaimed artists and the cream of local talent including Doc Doherty (left), Pat Mc Manus (right) Villiers and The Villains, Chris Taplin Band, Kaz Hawkins and Dom Martin will take to the stage across 15 venues, keeping the Blues heritage alive. Pat McManus was awarded the Belfast City Blues Festival Lifetime Achievement Award and this year’s festival is dedicated to the late, great Hugh Russell. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN
Doc Doherty (left) and Pat Mc Manus (right) will be among the lineup for this year's Belfast City Blues Festival. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN
By Allan Preston

THE line up for the 15th annual Belfast City Blues Festival has been announced, promising a three-day musical extravaganza across 15 venues.

Taking place from June 28-30, details were announced at a launch party in Kelly’s Cellars last week attended by festival director Seamus O’Neill and Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy.

This year’s festival has been dedicated to late Irish News photographer Hugh Russell, while Pat McManus was awarded the Belfast City Blues Festival Lifetime Achievement Award.

Irish News photographer and champion boxer Hugh Russell, whose funeral was held last week
Irish News photographer and champion boxer Hugh Russell died in October last year

Among the internationally acclaimed artists and the cream of local talent keeping the blues tradition alive will be Doc Doherty, Pat McManus, Villiers and The Villains, Chris Taplin Band, Kaz Hawkins and Dom Martin.

With the festival motto promising “Three days of great music with great people in a great city,” further information is available at www.belfastcitybluesfestival.com

Fans are set for a magical music tour after details of the 15th annual Belfast City Blues Festival were unveiled by festival director Seamus O’Neill and Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy earlier today at Kelly’s Cellars. The multi award winning festival is lined up for 28 - 30June, with Guinness continuing their support as main sponsor. Internationally acclaimed artists and the cream of local talent including Doc Doherty (left), Pat Mc Manus (right) Villiers and The Villains, Chris Taplin Band, Kaz Hawkins and Dom Martin will take to the stage across 15 venues, keeping the Blues heritage alive. Pat McManus was awarded the Belfast City Blues Festival Lifetime Achievement Award and this year’s festival is dedicated to the late, great Hugh Russell. PICTURE MAL MCCANN
The 15th annual Belfast City Blues Festival was formally launched at Kelly's Cellars in Belfast last week. PICTURE: MAL MCCANN

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