BURNLEY has begun its annual transformation into blues town as its popular music festival got underway last night with the main event taking place today.

Although the official Burnley blues festival has been cut back to a single day due to a lack of sponsorship, the traditional festival fringe proved it is virtually recession-proof.

Various pubs and clubs around the town centre put on live music yesterday to get blues lovers in the mood for today’s main event at the Mechanics.

And fringe venues throughout town will be offering live music across the whole Easter weekend.

Full fringe programmes are available from the Burnley Mechanics box office.

The official main stage, featuring Mike Sanchez, James Hunter and Paul Jones, is a sell-out.

MAIN STAGE

Burnley Mechanics, Saturday, April 3.

5.30pm The Stumble
7pm Paul Jones and Dave Kelly
8.30pm James Hunter Band
9.45pm Mike Sanchez Band with special guests Big Boy Bloater, Andy Sylvester, Ricky Cool.

  

FESTIVAL STAGE

The Press Room Saturday, April 3.

2pm Jon Walsh Band
4pm Gary Harper Band
6pm The Back Porch Band
8pm Blue Devils
10pm Chantel McGregor.

Sunday, April 4.

2pm Bill Daison Band 
4pm Bobby grants Blues Band
6pm Route 66
8pm Stone Sole River 
10pm The Revelators  

Fringe line up

Bridge Bier Huis.

Saturday, April 3.

9pm Ofay.

Sunday, April 4.

3pm Dean Casement Trio
6pm International Rescue
9pm Rob Livesey Trio.

The White Hart.

Saturday, April 3.

9pm The Hustle.

Sunday, April 4.

2.30pm The Uptown Band
8.30pm Route 66.

Coach and Horses.

Saturday, April 3.

8pm Lucy Zirins
10pm Sgt Wilko.

Sunday, April 4.

8pm After Hours
10pm Welsh T Band.

Talbot Hotel.

Saturday, April 3.

7pm Palladino and the Ragged Sway
10pm The Welsh T Band.

Sunday, April 4.

2pm Back Porch Band
5pm Forty4music
9pm Smokin Hogs.