Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Nantwich over the Easter weekend for the town’s 22nd Jazz, Blues and Music Festival.
Tickets to see headliners Dr Feelgood and Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze are fast approaching sell-out and organisers have advised music-lovers to book early to avoid missing out on their favourite performers.
More than 150 solo acts and bands will fill the town with music over the Bank Holiday weekend, March 29 to April 2.
Other big names to appear are indie-folk songstress Thea Gilmore, local rockabilly heroes VaVoom and dance floor fillers The Jive Aces (pictured, below) in their signature yellow suits at Nantwich Civic Hall.
The Civic is also the venue for a Bank Holiday Monday Oh Boy! Non-Stop 60s night with original stars from the era including Dave Berry, Brian Poole and Mike Pender performing hits such as The Crying Game, Candyman and Sweets for My Sweets.
Most pubs, bars and restaurants across town will host live performances including Harrisons on High Street, The Studio on Castle Street and Cheshire Cat, Firenze, Nakatcha and Street on Welsh Row.
Venues also include The Red Cow, The White Horse, The Malbank, The Talbot, The Bowling Green and Residence Restaurant and Bar.
Publicans and traders have teamed up to ensure the event pays tribute to festival founder Phillip Martin of The Crown Hotel, who died last year.
His daughter, Abbigail Ellwood (pictured), who has taken over as festival director, said: “The messages of support have been overwhelming.
“We have circulated 20,000 festival brochures across Cheshire and Staffordshire and festival friends have helped us trudge the streets delivering them to outlets, offering practical support too.
“Everyone wants to make the festival work for the town and I am thrilled that tickets are selling so well.
“The festival helped create Nantwich’s reputation as an event town and music-lover or not, it showcases all Nantwich has to offer and people come back.
“An estimated 40,000 people visit the festival each year heaping the economic benefits also on the town’s independent shops and food and drink outlets.
“When Dad passed away, my family and I were determined to keep it going not only as his legacy, but also to support the town we all love so much.”
New for 2018 is Local Live Music, showcasing up and coming musicians of all ages on the town square on Easter Sunday.
The Bank Stage also returns to its spot on Bowers Row carpark giving a full line-up of open air performances on Saturday and Sunday.
This year, in memory of Mr Martin, the festival is raising money for the British Lung Foundation with collections through the weekend and performances by the Breathe Easy charity choir.
Pub performances are free but a wristband is needed to enter.
They are on sale now via the festival website for £7 giving full weekend access to all gigs.
For a full round up of weekend events at all venues and tickets to headline shows go to www.nantwichjazz.com or see brochures in local outlets.
(Pic: Nantwich Jazz, Blues and Music Festival director Abbigail Ellwood with husband Alex and co-organiser Steve Barnes)
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