# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Swanage Blues Festival - The Thomas Heppell Band
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 02 Oct, 2026 at 08:30 pm (+01:00)
- **Event Description**: Come and join the fun for a great weekend of Blues......

In 2001 a birthday party for local blues fan George Crane was planned. Newly-arrived resident Steve Darrington was asked to help organise a couple of bands in a nightclub, the idea caught on and some other pubs asked to join in. It was such a success that another one was planned for the next year, by which time it had become the 2nd Swanage Blues Festival. 

These festivals became an annual event and October festivals were added in 2007. Then in 2012 the festival formed its own independent not-for-profit limited company to protect festival funds, and support wristbands were introduced. They provide visual proof of your donation and enable festival fans to recognise each other throughout the town. You can buy one a day or only one for the weekend, it's up to you.

There’s live music, drinking, eating, dancing, fun and laughter across the town and beyond, starting with a preview on Thursday evening and going on till late Sunday. Fans love the friendly atmosphere, the wide range of music and the choice of venues. Musicians love the great audiences and being up close and personal, while aspiring performers can get their fill at the open mic and jam sessions. 

From humble beginnings Swanage Blues Festival is nowadays regularly voted among the top five blues festivals in the UK with visitors from around the world.

OUR FESTIVAL FOUNDER

Steve Darrington was the house pianist and harp player at the legendary Blues Loft, Nag’s Head, High Wycombe in the 1960s/70s. After 35 years as a touring musician and with 50 albums recorded, he retired to Swanage in 2000. He created the first Swanage Blues Festival in March 2001 and has continued to mastermind them ever since, although in recent years ill health has kept him from playing in public.

If he’d had time to write his memoirs, he would have written about his times with Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Arthur Crudup, Billy Boy Arnold, Lightnin’ Slim & Whispering Smith, The Mighty Flea, Mickey Baker, Jo-Ann Kelly, Duster Bennett, Mark Knopfler, Brewer’s Droop, Dave Edmunds, Chris Jagger, Marty Wilde, Lonnie Donegan, the Roxon Roadshow, Don Everly, Albert Lee, Roy Orbison, ABBA, The Boogie Band and many more.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/poole/swanage-blues-festival-the-thomas-heppell-band/200030579709512
- **Event Categories**: Festivals, Music, Entertainment, performances, health-wellness, Nonprofit, flea
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 8

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Poole
- **state**: EN
- **country**: United Kingdom
- **location**: Live at the Legion
- **lat**: 50.6082943
- **long**: -1.9658992
- **full address**: Live at the Legion, 150 High Street,Swanage, Poole, United Kingdom

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Swanage Blues Festival - The Thomas Heppell Band
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/4fa4d038e45b6b2af12c25eddcaa89a565a3c6c37a869aca994cd63183110c72-rimg-w1200-h444-dc181818-gmir?v=1788304335

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Swanage Blues Festival - The Thomas Heppell Band being held?
  - **A:** Swanage Blues Festival - The Thomas Heppell Band takes place on Fri, 02 Oct, 2026 at 08:30 pm to Fri, 02 Oct, 2026 at 08:30 pm at Live at the Legion, 150 High Street,Swanage, Poole, United Kingdom.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Swanage Blues Festival - The Thomas Heppell Band?
  - **A:** Swanage Blues Festival - The Thomas Heppell Band is organized by Thomas Heppell.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** Swanage Blues Festival - The Thomas Heppell Band is ideal for festival lovers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a vibrant, immersive community experience. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Poole, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Swanage Blues Festival - The Thomas Heppell Band sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast.

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