Bluesfest 2012

Nick Lowe, Ronnie Wood, Van Morrison, Brand New Heavies, Hugh Laurie, Ian Siegal, Matt Schofield, Mick Taylor and Tom Jones are some of the British acts, who along with international stars Erykah Badu, Eric Bibb, Robert Cray and George Benson are performing as part of this year's London and Manchester Bluesfest.

The idea of an international celebration of blues and jazz originated from the Marquee Club's promoter Harold Pendleton, who played a key role in developing jazz and rock scenes in London. The original festival became a forerunner of today's Reading Festival.

The festival will take place in a variety of venues in both Manchester and London during June and July. The line up is as follows:

26 June - The Robert Cray Band
O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire

26 June - John Hiatt
HMV Ritz

27 June - Eric Bibb
O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire

27 June
Nick Lowe
O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire

27 June - John Hiatt
Under The Bridge

28 June - Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
HMV Ritz

28 June - George Benson
Royal Albert Hall

28 June
Erykah Badu
HMV Hammersmith Apollo

29 June
Van Morrison
HMV Hammersmith Apollo

29 June - Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire

30 June - Brand New Heavies
O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire

30 June - George Benson
The Bridgewater Hall

30 June - Charles Bradley
Under The Bridge

30 June - Ronnie Wood
HMV Hammersmith Apollo

1 July - Hugh Laurie
The Lowry

1 July - Tom Jones
HMV Hammersmith Apollo

2 July - Hugh Laurie
HMV Hammersmith Apollo

3 July - Gov't Mule
HMV Ritz

4 July - Gov't Mule
Under The Bridge

4 July - Ian Siegal
Islington Academy

5 July - Matt Schofield Trio
Band On the Wall

6 July - Mick Taylor
Under The Bridge

6 July - Ian Siegal
The Met

www.bluesfest.co.uk