The 7^th Skibbereen Blues, Soul & Roots Festival, August 13^th - 17th, boasts 22 free top-class gigs at 9 great venues across town.

This year's line-up, curated by James Carr (Rebel Roots), includes the return of established festival favourites such as The Dizzy Blues Band, The Stonecold Hobo, the Mafia Cats, and the Blues Hounds, plus 7 bands making their festival debut, 4 of which bring an international flavour: Canadian blues troubador and storyteller Doc MacClean; Spanish cowboy surf blues band the Howling Coyotes and psychedelic flamenco duo Zurito; and blues, soul and funk infused Kirris Riviere & The Delta du Bruit, recently nominated as one of the top 5 emerging bands by the UK Blues Federation.

And that's not all - this year sees the introduction of two ticketed concerts - the first features Liam Ó Maonlaí (Hothouse Flowers), who we're delighted has agreed to open the festival on Thursday 13^th August (8.30pm The Tanyard), and the second showcases rising West Cork rock stars The Kates on home turf on Friday 14^th August (8pm Abestrewry Church).

So dust off those dancing shoes, put your glad rags on, and let the good times roll at the 7th Skibbereen Blues, Soul & Roots Festival this August!