The Cotswolds is set to come alive with the soulful sounds of rhythm and blues this summer.
The Gloucester Rhythm & Blues Festival will return for 10 nights of live music from July 24 to August 2, offering a packed programme of free performances across city centre venues.
Supported by Gloucester BID, the festival features a broad lineup of artists in venues including Cafe Rene, The Thirsty Pine, Dr Foster, The Hop Kettle at Gloucester Food Dock, The Fountain Inn, and Crimson Spire at Hotel Indigo Gloucester.
This year’s bill showcases the full spectrum of blues music, from traditional styles to some of the UK’s top contemporary acts.
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Standout bookings include The Cinelli Brothers, winners of the UK Blues Federation’s Blues Band of the Year 2026, who will play Cafe Rene on July 31, and The Terraplanes Blues Band, Emerging Act of the Year 2023, performing at The Thirsty Pine on August 1.
The festival is part of Visit Gloucester’s new Summer of Sound campaign, which also features the Gloucester Cathedral Organ Festival, Three Choirs Festival, Gloucester Food Dock’s Sunset Sessions, and Gloucester Guildhall’s family-friendly ‘Lost In Music’ programme.
For more details and the full lineup, visit gloucesterbid.uk/gloucester-rhythm-blues-festival-2026.
