Congleton Jazz and Blues back this weekend

It is all systems go for the Congleton Jazz & Blues Festival on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August.  The team of volunteers at ‘Congleton Live’ has been busy with preparations and has booked 85 performances that will be held across 24 venues and in one instance, some streets across Congleton.

for this festival, and for Unplugged in 2025, there will be a new and improved element to the Bus Service, to and from Congleton Train Station.  In regular weekends, the service runs on Saturday from 10am to 4pm and costs (I believe) £1.50 per passenger.  Thanks to support from Congleton Town Council, that has allocated monies from a UKSPF Fund, we at Congleton Live have been able to negotiate an extension to the weekend Bus Service for the next two music festivals.  The service will be extended to 8pm on the Saturdays, and we have added Sunday to the schedule, from 10am to 8pm.  There will be no passenger charge during the extended hours that have been agreed.  This initiative should be particularly useful to patrons from surrounding towns and cities that share the rail line into Congleton.  Mark Bailey, Chair of Congleton Live says, “We are very grateful to the management and members of Congleton Town Council, who haveso tangibly supported this idea, and many other activities of ours.  We are also grateful to the bus provider, Hollinshead Coaches, for working with us so agreeably on this project.  We hope this will be a useful help to our valued patrons from surrounding towns, allowing them to extend their enjoyment of free music in the most convivial atmosphere across Congleton’s terrific Official Venues”.  

The festival will be launched with a band-led Umbrella Parade.  That occurs from 1.15pm on Saturday 24th August, starting in Little Street then along Bridge Street (the pedestrianised route) onto High Street (the roads will be temporarily closed and marshalled), then onwards to ‘The Community Garden’ and ‘The Physic Garden’.  From 2pm on the day there will be 44 gigs across town with the last batch starting at 9.30pm, while Sunday 25th sees a further 42 gigs, with the last one starting at 11pm. It is worth repeating, It Is all Free-entry, mostly due to the support of some magnificent venues and sponsors.

Congleton’s music festival Official Venues are famous for their free-of-charge music offerings, the high-quality of the musical performances in a varied array of first-class venues that provide a wide selection of excellent food and drinks.  In addition to the delicious consumptions, visitors on the weekend can be assured a warm and friendly welcome, as well as an array of top quality andexciting entertainment.  It is easy to show your support; buy some food and/or drink and share the joy and camaraderie brought on by music and great company.

To view the weekends schedule visit https://www.congletonjazzandblues.co.uk