Where The Lights Are Shining
Tickets are now on sale for TBCMF 2024, our 5th birthday party! Following a successful launch year in 2019, (a year off in 2020) then follow up festivals in 2021, 2022 and 2023, The British Country Music Festival will be back on the 30th August, 1st and 2nd September 2024, at the spectacular Winter Gardens indoor entertainment complex in Blackpool, Lancashire. We were
overwhelmed with the positive response from many of you who have now attended every year and are like minded in your love of country, Americana and all the sub genres and the boundaries broaden and we welcome new singer-songwriters who tell wonderful stories about life in the UK through music. We are independent festival organisers and our vision has always been to provide a platform for the best UK contemporary, country music singer-songwriters. Country music is such a broad church and we embrace it all from country rock and pop to blues and Americana. From the hundreds of submissions we receive from artist managers, entertainment agents and from our direct Apply to Play process via our website, we are discovering emerging, independent artists with a wealth of talent who want to play at our festival. We listen to ALL submissions and we love introducing music fans to new artists and helping to promote their music and increase their fanbase. As Dylan said: “The times they are a changing,” and it’s great to see that the Brits are breaking through and making their own mark on Nashville with lyrics that reflect British life as opposed to American country references. There is so much home-grown talent that we wanted to create a festival that promotes the best of British. With the success of Ward Thomas, Yola and The Shires across the pond, we believe that there has never been a better time to celebrate British country and Americana talent by promoting and producing a festival in the town where the lights are shining - Blackpool. What to expect: a lovingly crafted line-up of new country, blues, rock, country pop and Americana music and emerging British talent that deserves a platform, (some of whom you may well be seeing for the first time), lined up alongside the new wave of British country music stars. A party atmosphere to celebrate the end of the festival season and the fact that you will be in the fun capital of the UK where you can see the biggest display of neon lights outside Las Vegas! Indoor stages will include the iconic music venue - the Empress Ballroom with its amazing sprung dance floor. The Making Waves stages in the Arena will be for breaking artists and ones to watch! Our Songwriters Carousel will provide up close and personal acoustic sets for our audience and will offer musicians the chance to collaborate and exchange ideas. Although we are primarily championing UK country artists, we will be tipping our hats to international friends, including special guest stars from America. No need to worry about the weather, the festival is staged inside the spectacular 144 year old Winter Gardens entertainment venue. This is a chance to dress up in your finest and celebrate all that epitomises British country. Special food and drink offers will be available and there will also be the chance to do some shopping from the pop up retailers at the festival. What the festival isn’t: Country & Western. To avoid disappointment, please don’t expect southern drawls, mud slides, mosquito bites, wellie wearing, watching artists on big screens ‘cause you can’t get near the stage, losing your tent, outrageous queues for bars or going to the loo in a plastic blue box that looks like a poor man’s tardis! Blackpool is welcoming visitors to The British Country Music Festival with open arms. So why not make a week of it? Our logo and strap line reflect the famous Blackpool illuminations which will be shining throughout the festival. We are partying where the lights are shining! To celebrate this, we have arranged a special preview of Blackpool illuminations on Thursday 30th August 2023, the night before the official switch-on and our festival goers can buy a ticket for this special heritage tram ride via our website. It gives people the chance to meet up the night before the festival, make new friends and see the world famous lights! Following the historic return of Graham Nash to his hometown of Blackpool to headline in 2023 we are already confirming headliners for 2024. Our full line-up will be announced in time for you to purchase tickets for Christmas. So come on Brits, let’s show Nashville how we do it! You can also purchase TBCMF merchandise via the website and there will be special Christmas boxes of goodies available! Please follow us on social media so that we can keep in touch. Sign up for our newsletter here! We look forward to welcoming you to Blackpool in 2024! Martin & Marina x
