About York Blues Festival
Possibly the friendliest Blues Festival on the circuit (and we’re not just saying that, people actually tell us).
York Blues Festival isn’t some slick corporate affair with velvet ropes and overpriced drinks. It’s a proper grass-roots celebration of the blues, held every spring at The Crescent Community Venue, a place where the beer’s cold, the sound’s warm, and the vibe’s always welcoming.
Started in 2019 by Paul Winn and Ben Darwin, the duo behind "Blues From The Ouse" on Jorvik Radio. The festival was born out of a simple idea: showcase brilliant blues bands, support the scene, and make sure everyone leaves happy.
What began as a local gathering has grown into a must-attend event for blues lovers across the UK, with a reputation for top-tier acts, friendly faces, and zero pretentiousness.
Each year, we handpick a lineup that spans the blues spectrum, from raw, gritty duos with homemade instruments to funk-infused powerhouses and classic blues outfits that know how to work a crowd. Past performers include Gerry Jablonski & The Electric Band, The James Oliver Band, The Milkmen, Redfish, The Achievers, Emma Wilson Band and York’s own DC Blues!
Whether you’re a seasoned blues head or just dipping your toe in, York Blues Festival is your chance to hear something real, meet good people, and soak up the kind of atmosphere you can’t fake.
Previous Events
Blues From The Ouse
Blues From The Ouse is a UK blues podcast and blues radio show, broadcasting weekly from Yorkshire. Hosted by Paul Winn with Ben Darwin and Angie Howe riding shotgun, expect deep cuts, sharp commentary, and harmonica that occasionally threatens structural damage.
From classic blues grooves to modern blues and blues rock, this show curates the real stuff — no fluff, no filler, just blues with bite.
Paul and Ben are also bandmates in DC Blues and Co-Directors of the York Blues Festival, bringing insider knowledge of the British blues scene.
🎧 New episodes weekly. Sarcasm included at no extra charge.