WEST Cumbria is gearing up for one of its biggest weekend music events, with just under a month until the return of the Maryport Blues Festival.

The long-running three-day event - now in its 19th year - has finalised its full line-up for both the Main Stage at Maryport harbour, and its popular blues trail at venues across the town.

Renowned guitarist Wilko Johnson is the stand-out name on the bill, headlining the main day's programme.

The founding member of Dr Feelgood, who has influenced everyone from Joe Strummer, Mick Jones to Steve Albini, will be appearing alongside his band of highly-accomplished musicians.

In addition to pioneering the 1970s British R&B sound, Johnson went on to play guitar for Ian Dury and the Blockheads, and the live band tomorrow will Blockheads’ Norman Watt-Roy on bass, and Dylan Howe on drums.

His choppy guitar style was a big part of the Dr Feelgood sound, whose 1976 breakthrough live album, Stupidity, reached number one in the Official UK Album Chart.

For the opening day, Friday July 28, blues veteran Andy Fairweather Low heads up the Main Stage line-up, with the acclaimed Connie Lush Band, teenage superstar Aaron Keylock, and Bad Moon also set to appear.

There are six acts set to appear on the Saturday Main Stage programme, with Secure Unit kicking things off, and the Kyla Brox Duo also appearing in the early afternoon.


Andy Fairweather Low Chris Bevington Organisation and psychedelic soul trio Blackballed both feature, with prominent bluesman Jon Amor playing main support to Wilko Johnson's headline set.

Sunday 30 wraps up with another five live acts performing at the harbour-side stage - Howlin’ Mat, The Jar Family, and Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes precede an appearance by German blues favourite Henrik Freischlader. It is left to virtuoso guitarist Matt Schofield and his band to round out the festival with an evening headline show.

There is also the smaller Outside Stage , which features a mix of Cumbrian acts and touring bands: Friday's schedule takes in sets from Quireboys, Illumenium, Broken English, and Soul Junction; Saturday features the Brian Rawson Band, Pot Luck, and Thirteen Stars; and Sunday welcomes Red Spider, AWOL, Mersey Delta Blues Band, and Novello Shores.

The Blues Trail has been a welcome addition to the festival, with the Navy Club, Sailor's Return, Golden Lion, Phoenix Tap, Annabel's Cafe, the Labour Club, Butchers Arms, the Thomas Henry, Netherhall Old Boys, Her Citi, Maryport Rugby League Club, and Netherhall Camp Site all staging live music throughout the weekend. Bands set to feature on the trail include: Andy Twyman, David Bass & the Revolving Door Band, Chasin' The Train, Deep Blue Sea, Brian Rawson, Crosscut Saw, The Misfitz, Snakewater, W3 Detour, Like Doherty Band, Dean Newton, Born Healer, Hexmen, Paul Rose Band, Dom Pipkin, MT Arms, Davey Crockett's Hat, Troy Redfern, Tom Killner Band, and Stoney Broke.

Tickets for the festival, including wristbands for the trail, are available from www.maryportbluesfestival.com