DIGGLE’S POPULAR annual Blues Festival was hailed a foot-tapping success by the organiser and droves of fans who shared the musical bonanza.
The event saw 11 bands and artists sing their hearts out over four days in various venues throughout the village.
The festival’s first-ever American musician Kent DuChaine opened the show, followed the next night by the Sons of the Delta and the Mudcats Blues Trio.
Garron Frith held the audience’s attention while the Backwater Blues Band were the first band to be invited back by public demand.
Dani Wilde and Todd Sharpville lived up to their big reputation with captivating voices while Mojo Rising went down so well they played an extra hour.
Angelo Palladino played at the festival’s new venue, the Woolyknit Café, before Half Deaf Clatch, who have been nominated for three blues music awards, entertained.
Blue Swamp added comic asides in between their raw blues music while musician John Otway also had the audience laughing at his eccentric antics for a full hour.
The festival was rounded off with a closing ceremony with a sing song and Diggle’s national anthem.
And after a successful event, organiser David Wood said he would host another next year – providing he can get help from volunteers.
He said: “Apart from the odd shower, the weather showed Diggle in a good light for many people who had never visited, or indeed ever heard of the village.
“The job of organising the festival has grown bigger, and now people’s expectations are higher.
“This year, the festival went very well, with one or two venues pleasantly full and the rest packed to the rafters.
“The audiences were very generous with their donations and we spent more on musicians this year.
“The feedback we received has all been good so far – some said it was the best festival so far, and the standard was higher than ever.
“I am looking for volunteers, although I have had many offers of help already. It brings a lot of money to the venues and the village.”
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