Upton Blues Festival nominated at UK Blues Awards 2023

Upton Blues Festival has become a finalist at the UK Blues Awards 2023 after being nominated in the Best Blues-based Music Festival category.

Organisers have thanked those who nominated the festival - and are asking fans to help them win the award.

The big top at Upton Rugby Club last year

The UK Blues Awards, which is now in its fifth year, invites members of the public to vote for their favourite of five nominees for each of its awards categories.

Voting opens on Saturday, February 4 and Upton Blues Festival will be sharing a link on its Facebook page.

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“We’re over the moon,” said festival chairman Grahame Bunn.

“To have lost the festival to Covid for a couple of years and then to come back last year and be nominated for an award is really pleasing.

'Something for everyone'

“It’s a really fantastic weekend and we have zero trouble ever, it tends to be a bit more family orientated up by the rugby club and then by the riverside it’s a bit more rocky, for want of a better word.

“There’s something for everyone. Something I’m looking forward to is the Sunday night, when we’re going to change it up a bit and make it more of a party atmosphere.”

This year’s event takes place from Friday, July 21 to Sunday, July 23 and sees Upton Blues Fesitval celebrate its 21st anniversary.

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The festival campsite will be open from Wednesday, July 19 and camping tickets are now on sale.

Among the bands coming to Upton this summer are Hardwicke Circus, who played the festival in 2022 as a last-minute replacement.

The Carlisle-based five piece also played Glastonbury following a request from Sir Paul McCartney.

“It is a great coup to get them,” said Grahame.

Blues-rock powerhouse Catfish join Hardwick Circus on the bill for the Upton festival’s opening night.

Last year saw the festival return after a two-year hiatus because of Covid. Thousands of revellers descended on venues around the town throughout a baking hot weekend.