BluesFest will return to the Royal Albert Hall this autumn for an extended six-day event, which will once again feature a dazzling array of international stars from the worlds of blues, soul, jazz, R&B and beyond. 

Now in its fourth year, and widely regarded as one of the highlights of the live music calendar, BluesFest made history in 2013 when it relocated to the Royal Albert Hall and became the iconic building’s first ever full-scale music festival. The four day event was a resounding success, with over 40,000 music fans enjoying an incredible run of shows from the likes of Robert Plant, Ronnie Wood, Bobby Womack, Van Morrison, Gregory Porter, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Mavis Staples, Chris Rea and many more.

This year’s festival will feature a similarly world class line-up as evidenced by the first batch of headliners which includes the return of one of the most indelible artists of the 20th century, the legendary Van Morrison (Oct 28^th), songwriting icon Elvis Costello (Oct 29^th), the inimitable Georgie Fame (who opens for Costello on Oct 29^th), multi-Grammy-winning Sheryl Crow (Oct 31^st) and chart-topping jazz funk outfit Level 42 (Oct 26^th). Although all these artists are now celebrated for their own distinctive sounds and styles, they all credit the blues as the start of their musical journeys. 

Elvis Costello: "I've waited a, long, long time to share a bill with Georgie Fame. There is no better address to do it than Albert's Royal Hall. Fame at last!" 

As was the case with last year’s festival, BluesFest 2014 will be hosted exclusively at the Royal Albert Hall, with performances taking place not just in the main auditorium, but also in other rooms around the building during the daytime, utilising the Grade 1 listed venue’s varied selection of performance spaces. Alongside the headline concerts in the main auditorium each evening, some of the additional daytime activity introduced in 2013 will return including intimate sessions from festival artists, exclusive exhibitions, showcases, and an ‘In Conversation With’ series. 

Leo Green – Festival Director: "Following on from last year with some fantastic shows from Van Morrison, Robert Plant, Ronnie Wood, Bobby Womack and Tedeschi Trucks Band, we're delighted Bluesfest will be returning to the Royal Albert Hall in 2014. Last year’s daytime stroller tickets, which are free for kids, proved very popular and it was great to see a family audience enjoy the likes of James Hunter, Dr Feelgood, Huey Morgan and Jo Harman - we're now looking forward to Bluesfest 2014 and are delighted to announce the first of our headliners and look forward to what will be six very memorable days and nights." 

John Reid – Live Nation’s President of Concerts: "Last year's decision to bring the whole festival under one roof was an undeniable success and the programming of live music throughout the day proved a hit with audiences and acts alike. This year we're excited to have expanded the festival to six days and nights and we look forward to working with the Royal Albert Hall over the coming years to establish BluesFest as one of the UK's most exciting and musically diverse festivals." 

Jasper Hope - Chief Operating Officer at the Royal Albert Hall: “Unlike any other time in the six years I have been here, the whole building, for four to five days, was alive all day, every day. What was different about BluesFest is that there was a whole programme during the day – even concerts in the café.”  

This year’s festival runs from Sunday 26^th - Friday 31^st October. Tickets go on-sale 9am on Friday 4th April priced from £20 upwards (subject to per-ticket charge plus order processing fee) and will be available fro Festivals For all.