Preparing to host the blues

A concert at Newark Castle will be the centrepiece of the town’s first blues festival.

Local musicians are organising the event for the weekend of September 11-13 and have booked nationally-recognised blues bands.

The festival will be run in a similar way to Newark Jazz Festival, with several venues hosting music.

It is the idea of Mr Darren Pointing (42) of Dale Way, Fernwood.

Mr Pointing is an IT consultant and has been involved in the local music scene for several years.

He was formerly involved in Crisis Studio, an independent studio in Balderton, and also helped to organise the Live and Local music events at Riverside Park, Newark.

Mr Pointing said two bands doing well on the national and European blues scene, King King and The Oli Brown Band, would perform at the castle.

The concert will be from 4pm to 10pm on Saturday, September 12, and is being organised with the help of Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Local bands are also being sought to perform over the weekend.

Venues that have confirmed are the Navigation Waterfront, the Crown and Mitre, Ann et Vin, The Mayze, The Castle and The Malt Shovel.

Mr Pointing hoped to have about ten venues, with the majority of the gigs being free, although the concert at the castle would be ticketed.

He said: “The intention is to build it up as an annual event and become part of the regular blues festival scene.”

Mr Pointing said blues had a slightly wider appeal than jazz as it covered a range of different styles from acoustic guitar to rock.

He hoped people would be attracted to Newark by the festival and would spend the day in the town.

Any bands or artists wanting to take part should email info@newarkblues.co.uk