Past Years

2024
Headline act: Toby Lee

Wednesday 10th – Sunday 14th July

2024 marked a community-led celebration like no other – our 10th festival in just 12 years – and it exploded into life with energy, music, and inclusion at its heart!

Over 60 blues acts lit up 15 town centre venues, chosen from an incredible 125 applicants eager to be part of the Dereham magic. The Opening Concert on 10 July, headlined by young blues guitar prodigy Toby Lee, sold out in record time and set the tone for an unforgettable week.

Thanks to generous support from Dereham Town Council, CAM Track, Geoffrey Watling Trust, and BAM Nuttall Ltd, we ran a special ‘Community Blues Explosion’ programme of free workshops and events that brought blues to people of all ages and abilities. Highlights included:

• Soul choir workshops and live performances

• African drumming workshops

• Cigar box guitar making

• Story of the Blues presentation

• Meet the Artist session with Mississippi MacDonald, Patron of Norfolk Blues Society and double UK Blues Awards winner, interviewed by Ross Stewart

Mississippi MacDonald also headlined the ‘Big Gig’ on 25 May, backed by the Norfolk Blues Society’s house band The Shunters, with a show-stopping performance from Santiago and the Soulmakers – a standout act from DBF 2023.

Feedback from festivalgoers said it all: “This was the best festival yet – it just keeps getting better and better!”

After Hours Band, Against The Grain, Andy Grant Band, Back Porch, Ben Hemming, Blackstone blues band, Blues Highway, Checkmate Kings, Clean Sneak, Cold Sweat, Doc K's Blues Band, Dove and Boweevil, Egypt, Going Down South, Goldrusha, Gypsy Candlesticks, Henry Baker, Hotsmoke & Danger, Indigo Collective, John’s Blues Crew, Jon De' Konker Root, Justin Light & The Midnighters, Katie O'Malley, Kirris Riviere and The Delta du Bruit, Lightning Threads, Lou And The Tall Boys, Luke Arnold, Miller•Crossan, Mojo Mules, Mojo Preachers, Moonshine Coyote, NEVEN, No Good Woman & The Kingsnakes, Out of the Ashes, Paul Tinkler Trio, Ralph Beeby & the Elephant Collective, Rhythm Travellers, Richard Townend & the Mighty Bosscats, Rich Miller, Ross Stewart, Saltshaker, Stoli Gibson and the Pearl Onions, Stone Pony, StoneyBroke, Stormy-T and Bluesman’s Lane, The Core, The Devil’s Cadillac Blues Band, The JBBH project, The Ministry of Mojo, The Sam Wilkinson Band, The Shunters Company, The Staffell & Stewart Band, The Thomas Heppell Band, The Tricks, The Worried Men, Tony Brook, Uncalled Four, Used Blues

2023
Headline act: Danielle Nicole in support Ross Stewart

Wednesday 5th – Sunday 9th July

Tickets flew out at record speed for the double-bill opening concert at Dereham Memorial Hall, headlined by Grammy-nominated bassist and vocalist Danielle Nicole, widely acclaimed as one of the best bassists in the USA, known for her emotional and high-energy performances. She was supported by local rising star Ross Stewart, just 19 at the time, already earning a reputation for playing with remarkable maturity and generosity.

Over 50 blues acts performed across 15 venues in the town centre – proving once again that Dereham offers far more than just 12 bars of blues!

Dereham Mayor Cllr. Hugh King summed it up perfectly: “The Dereham Blues Festival is a great thing for the town as it brings in lots of people who would otherwise not visit—and the festival is entirely run by Dereham volunteers.”

The winner of the Opening Concert front row circle seats raffle, Rebecca McIntyre, said, “I am absolutely thrilled to have won the raffle tickets to the Opening Concert! My mum and I are relatively new to the blues scene, and I cannot thank you enough for the chance to attend.”

After Hours Blues Band, Andy Grant Band, Anna Davies and the Sinnermen, Back Porch, Baroness and the Bear, Blues Boy Kings, Blue Touch, Brian Rawson Band, Checkmate Kings, Cold Sweat, Dove and Boweevil, Egypt, Generation III, Goldrusha, Greg Rice, Guevaras Blues Band', Henry Bake, Hot Smoke andDanger, Jed Potts and the Hilman Hunters, Jinda Biant, Joe Goes Green, Katie O'Malley, Lou and theTall Boys, Luke Arnold, Miller Crossan, Mississippi MacDonald, Moonshine Coyote, Out of the Ashes, Paul Tinkler's Blues Band, rHot Cold Ground, Roadhouse, Santiago and the Soulmovers, Stoli Gibson and the Pearl Onions, Stone Pony, Stormy -T and Bluesman's Lane, The Barefoot Doctors, TheBlues Against Youth, The Blues Overdrive, The Cruisers, The Devil's Cadillac Blues Band, The Harp and Blues Company, The Lee Ryder Band, The Ministry of Mojo, The Real World, The Ryk Mead Band, The Shunters Company, The Syndicators led by Dave Thomas, The TenderheartsThe Thomas Heppel Band, The Tricks, Uncalled four, Unfinished Business, Used blues

2022
Headline act: Kyla Brox / When Rivers Meet

Wow! After an enforced 2 year hiatus, what a way to come back; with 21 venues hosting 73 acts (including buskers) over five days, temperatures in the twenties and fans in what must be thousands, Dereham became Blues Dreamham in the heart of Norfolk.

The opening concert was a sell-out weeks before the start of the festival, and the soulful tones of Kyla Brox and the rock / blues of festival favourites When Rivers Meet showed why both of our headline concert bands are rapidly rising stars in the Blues firmament.

But that was just the start; from an 11 year old keyboard busker and some amazing up and coming young players who are the future of blues through to the more mature and experienced grandees of the genre, the thousands of music fans who visited Dereham over the 5 days of the festival all found plenty to enjoy and enthusiastically took the festival on to another level. The feedback from both visitors and the bands taking part reflected the sheer enjoyment and welcoming atmosphere that makes the Dereham Blues festival such a brilliant event.

After Hours Blues Band, Andy Grant Band, Ashley Sherlock Band, Back Porch, Ben Hemming Band, Bill Bennett, Blues Business, Checkmate Kings, Cold Sweat, Cruiser Blues Band, Dave Ellis Blues UK Band, Dawson Smith and the Dissenters, D C Wilson Band, Delta Fuse, Dove and Boweevil, Egypt, Fat and Furious, Forged, Fourplay, Generation III, Gin City, Goldrusha, Hard Working Blues Band, Henry Baker, Holman Hilts and Delaney, Hot Cold Ground, Hunky Dory, John's Blues Crew, John Doe Trio, John Fincher, Ken Connor, Kyla Brox, Little Bo Walker, Lou and the Tall Boys, Luke Arnold, Mandie Graham Band, Martin Burch Band, Max England, Michael Woods, Ministry of Mojo, Mississippi MacDonald, Paul Tinkler's Part Time Blues Band, Percy Paradise, Purple Jimi, Richard Townend, Robin Bibi Band, Robin Evans, Rockavox, Ross Stewart, Ruby Aitken, Ryk Mead Band, Saltshaker, Simon Whitney, Sloe Train, Stoli Gibson and the Pearl Onions, Stone Pepper Blues, The 251s, The Gator, The Journeymen, The JuJubes, The Mighty Guevaras, The Ross Stewart Trio, The Shunters Company, The Tricks, Tom Malachowski, Tore Down, Tote Porello, Tyler Yarham, Uncalled Four, Unfinished Business, Used Blues, When Rivers Meet

2019
Headline act: Hamilton Loomis

The 2019 Dereham Blues Festival was without any doubt the greatest yet!.

It started with this guy called Hamilton Loomis, a name hardly anyone had heard of a year ago, but what an explosive performance by a young talented musician who, with his band, entertained the gathered throng with some wonderful original and classic blues songs (not least the Led Zeppelin compilation which was stunning). To top it all he is such a nice guy and an inspiration to young aspiring guitarists to embrace blues guitar and the genres created from the blues.

And it didn’t finish there! With great weather and the town buzzing we had some super local, national and international bands who gave some fine performances and were enthusiastically received by the crowds of revellers attending the festival.

A13 Allstars, After Hours Blues Band, Bad Day Blues Band, Bell Ayre, Blues Business, Blues Situation, Bo-nidle, Born Healer, Chicago One Zero, Chris Lord and her Blues Express, Cold Sweat, Cruiser Blues Band, Dangerous Daydream, Dave Ferra, D C Wilson Band, Egypt, Forged, Fourplay, Gin City, Groove Hounds, Hamilton Loomis, Hot Cold Ground, Hot Tramp, Jacques D'Ladde, Jamie Roe Band, Jimmy Regal and the Royals, Joe Goes Green, John's Blues Crew, Julie Ushers Twisted Blues Band, London Blues Machine, Lou's Connections, Martin McNeill, Metro House Band, Mister-Pink, Mule, Paul Tinkler's Part Time Blues Band, Pistol Pete Wearn, Ray Fenwick & the Rest, Richard Townend, Robin Bibi Band, Rockavox, Ron Sayer & the Shunters, Rough'n'Ready, Saltshaker, She Said So, Stone Pony, Stoney Broke, Tanya Piche Blues Band, The Blues Spiders, The Mighty Guevaras, The Wild East, Trevor Babajack Steger, Uncalled Four, Used Blues, When Rivers Meet

2018
Headline act: Georgie Fame

The 6th Annual Dereham Blues Festival was propelled to a superlative start in the Town’s Memorial Hall last night by the legendary Georgie Fame and The Family Trio. Making up the trio are Georgie’s sons Tristan on guitar with brother James playing drums and together they performed an enthralling show, documenting Georgie Fame’s career spanning nearly 60 years in the music business. Tunes from every decade, including of course all the hits (Yeh Yeh, Bonnie and Clyde) were set in context by the man himself with genial and illuminating anecdotes between the numbers. There were great songs by influential performers and writers like Booker T, Ray Charles, Mose Allison, Hoagy Carmichael, Floyd Dixon and Peggy Lee and even a spot of country with He’ll Have To Go – a nod to Jim Reeves via Ry Cooder.

The Hammond organ is an extraordinarily expressive instrument and Georgie knows exactly how to handle it. He just touches the keyboard and the stage infuses with the blues. His still-strong voice is instantly recognisable too and his songs were delivered with a deeply imbedded blues tonality supported attentively by Tristan and James. The brothers are both musicians with a stature matching their dad’s and in the second set Tristan’s rendering of Hendrix’s Red House, was a tour de force, totally fitted to the opening gig of the Dereham Blues Festival.

Adenland, After Hours, Against The Grain, Albert Cooper and the Blues and Boogie Band, Automatic Annie, Bell Ayre, Blues Business, Blues Jamm Project, Blues Situation, Blues Tubes, Bo-nidle, Born Healer, Cherry White, Chris King Robinson, Cold Sweat, Connor Selby Band, Cruiser Blues Band, D C Wilson Band, Don’t Lose Heart, Ed & Laura, Egypt, Fourplay, Gin City, Goldrusha, Harpoon Blues Band, How Askew Band, Joe Goes Green, London Blues Machine, Mark Harrison, Mogo, Mule, Paul Tinkler Part Time Blues Band, Polymer Five, Ray Fenwick and the Rest, Robin Bibi Band, Rough'n'Ready, Stone Pony, Tanya Piché Blues Band, The Bad Day Blues Band, The Mojo Trio, The Rhythm Travellers, The Uncalled Four, Three Cornered Wheel, Tom McCartney, Yve Mary B

2017
Headline act: Andy Fairweather Lowe & The Low Riders

The Dereham Blues Festival enjoyed “another stellar year” in 2017 according to the press coverage of the event. Thousands flooded into Dereham to enjoy bands from across the country. “2017 was the event's fifth year and, as every year, the festival launched with a sensational, sell-out opening concert. The only ticketed gig at the festival, the opening concert always features a major blues talent to kick off the four day festival in style.

The opening concert, organised by the Friends of Dereham memorial Hall, featured Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Riders, supported by the Dove and Boweevil Band. Chairman of the Friends, Tim Cara said they were delighted to have signed a leading British blues artist. “He is a class act, hugely in demand in his own right as well as having played with the very best on the world stage,” he said. “IT shows that Dereham and the blues festival can attract some of the very best acts in the UK to come and play here.”

Not only is Andy a seriously great guitarist and often employed by the likes of Eric Clapton, Roger Waters and Bill Wyman but his band is exceptional.  The playing was sublime and the audience lapped up their two set gig which paid tribute to rock, jazz, blues, country, soul and gospel before ending with Andy’s earliest hits Gin House Blues and If Paradise is Half As Nice.

3 Cornered Wheel, After Hours Blues Band, Against The Grain, All Blue, Bad Day Blues Band, Bell Ayre, Benjamin Bassford, Bessies Blues, Blues Business, Blues Situation, Blues Train, Born Healer, Chicago One Zero, Connor Selby Band, Dave Ferra, Dave Thomas Blues Band, Dawson Smith & the Dissenters, DC Wilson Band, Don't Lose Heart, Egypt, Four Play, Gold Rush, Graham Mcgrotty's Blues Band, Harpoon Blues Band, Heartlands Delta Singers, Hot Cold Ground, Hot Tramp, How Askew, Joe Anderton Band, John's Blues Crew, Kit Trigg, Loose Moorings, Mark Pontin Group, Mojo Preachers, Mule, Paul Tinklers Part Time Blues Band, Rich Somers, Roadhouse, Robin Bibi, RSJ, Ryk Mead, Stone Pony, Storm Warning, Swampgrass, The Baroness and the Bear, The Cherry White Band, The Cruiser Blues Band, The Metro House Band, The Sharpeez, Tom McCartney, Tony Brook, Uncalled Four, Youth bands, Yve Marie Barwood

2016
Headline act: Dr Feelgood

July 2016 saw the fourth and the biggest Dereham Blues Festival ever, with more than 100 performances, over 45 bands and a total of 16 venues hosting some of the finest blues musicians in the UK. The opening concert, organised in partnership with the Friends of Dereham Memorial Hall was a sell-out and the audience of more than 350 people enjoyed an evening of sensational blues music and electric performances from headline act Dr Feelgood and his band, supported by the wonderful Rebecca Downes. 

The evening was kicked off in style with the Heartlands Delta choir singing in the bar area before the main performance.

Adenland, After Hours Blues Band, Against the Grain, All Blue, Baroness and the Bear, Benjamin Bassford, Bessie’s Blues, Blacktop Deluxe, Blues Situation, Bob Hokum, Born Healer, Cherry White, Dave Thomas Blues Band, DC Wilson Band, Dirty Diamond and the Gunslingers, Don’t Lose Heart, Dove and Boweevil Band, Dust Bowl, Four Play, GT’s Boos Band, Half Deaf Clatch, Howlin' Matt, Jamie Williams and the Roots Collective, Mark Harrison, Misdirected, Mojo Preachers, Paul Tinkler’s Part Time Blues Band, Purple Jimi, Richard Townsend, Rich Somers, Roadhouse, RSJ, Shortstuff, Shunters Blues Band, Smokestack Lightning, Soft Shoe Sam, Split Whiskers, Stone Pony, The Cruiser Blues Band, The WapWaps, Tim Jones, Tom Seals, Tony Brook, Uncalled Four

2015
Headline act: Mud Morganfield

Now in its third year, 2015 brought the continued success of the Dereham Blues Festival (DBF).  Once again the launch concert was sold out before the festival began! 

This year saw the award-winning Mud Morganfield take to the stage at Dereham Memorial Hall for what can only be described as an amazing and unforgettable experience.  The ever popular 32 strong Dereham Blues Festival Community Choir performed on the streets of Dereham to kick off the weekends best blues bands and artists in the the region and further afield play at the twelve venues.

A13 Allstars, Aden Land, After Hours Blues Band, Against The Grain, Astrojets, Blue Crew, Blues Situation, Cold Sweat, Cruiser Blues Band, D.C Wilson Band, Dani Dorchin, Don't Loose Heart, Dust Bowl, Jamie Rose Band, Malaya Blue, Neil Daniels And Dave Morrison, Outtathablues, Paul Tinkler's Part Time Blues Band, Percy Paradise, Pete Harris Trio, Robert Hokum, Robin Bibi With The Shunters Blues Band, Shortstuff, Slow Gin, Space Eagle, Stone Pony, The Baroness And The Bear, The Brian Rawson Band, The Dave Thomas Band, The Dove And Boweevil Band, The Harpoon Blues Band, The Mojo Preachers, The Roses

2014
Headline act: Paul Jones

This year we were very proud to host the amazing Paul Jones with The Dave Thomas Blues Band. The event was jointly organised  by NBS and The Friends of Dereham Memorial Hall. The  doors opened on Friday 11th for this unique, one off opportunity to see both Paul Jones and Dave's Band together on the same stage. The sell-out concert was a brilliant and unique experience enjoyed by all. 

Some changes to the first year ensured everyone enjoyed non-stop blues with some amazing artists playing at numerous venues in the town centre for all to enjoy along with a free limited edition souvenir program.  It was great to see folk wandering down Dereham Streets heads buried in their programmes and planning which band to see where next.

Also new this year was the Dereham Blues Festival, Community Blues Choir, led by Lauren Dove. A four hour workshop was held on Saturday prior to the festival with the aim of learning three blues songs and 18 people took part and together they performed the songs at various locations on the Festival Saturday morning to the delight of Dereham shoppers. The choir was vey popular and moves are afoot to make it a group that meets regularly with street performance in mind. 

A13 Allstars, Aden Land, After Hours Blues Band, Against The Grain, Astrojets, Aviator, Blue Crew, Blues Situation, Cruiser Blues Band, D.C Wilson Band, Don't Loose Heart, Johnny Jump Band, Keno Kings, Neil Daniels And Dave Morrison, Outtathablues, Paul Tinklers Part Time Blues Band, Rob Holmes Band, Slow Gin, Space Eagle, Stone Pony, The Dove And Boweevil, The Mojo Preachers, The Shunters Blues Band, Workhorse