Inverness International Blues Festival video and all-weather Big Top announced

New video on Facebook at InvernessBluesFestival

Organisers of the Inverness International Blues Festival today unveiled two key additions to the preparations for this major new music event:

• a brand-new promotion video capturing the world-class blues bands that will be performing at the festival; and
• the addition of a Big Top Tent to accommodate festival goers in comfort.

Big Top

To ensure that festival fans can enjoy the international blues experience – come rain or shine - Provost of Inverness Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair announced the provision of a spacious Big Top Tent that will accommodate the bands and festival goers at the Northern Meeting Park in Inverness on Saturday 28 March 2026.

Provost Campbell Sinclair said: “I am both excited and delighted to introduce our new Big Top venue which means that the audience can enjoy this amazing blues experience whatever the weather. This is a great move forward not just for everyone attending the festival but also for the local hospitality and business sector supporting the event as we aim to ensure that this ambitious new venture runs smoothly in the shoulder seasonal month of March.”

Video

Winding up the anticipation and excitement, organisers have also released a new video showcasing the festival’s outstanding array of bands in store on the festival’s Facebook at invernessbluesfestival. The video captures the spirit of what will be in store for festival goers at Highlands’ celebration of The Blues in the historic setting of the Northern Meeting Park. The video offers a tantalising view of what to expect at the festival and will be shared across social media channels with partners over the coming weeks.

Festival Artistic Director, Kevin Hillier added: “This will be the finest International one-day blues line-up seen in the UK for many years. I am excited to support this new festival which has aims to promote Inverness whilst also promoting The Blues.

“We are attempting to take the Blues Festival back in time when all forms of blues bands came to the UK and performed, not just for blues enthusiasts, but for everyone who loves music. Our aim is for everyone to have a good time and enjoy the music. We think a lot of people will be surprised. This is an incredible line-up.”

Introducing The Bands

The Inverness Blues Festival will feature a packed programme of live music as follows:

Saturday 28 March 2026

1.15pm      ALICE ARMSTRONG

Alice Armstrong was crowned Contemporary Artist of the Year for the second consecutive time at the 2025 UK Blues Awards, celebrating her powerful fusion of R&B genres.

Alice is an independent, multi award-winning R&B artist from the UK, reshaping nostalgic rhythm & blues grooves through a contemporary lens. Armstrong delivers heart-breaking ballads and toe-tapping tunes with a breathtaking vocal talent, sharp wit and electric stage presence, all backed by a world-class band.

She has one of the most emotional and far-ranging vocals, such a sweet and melodic voice, that, in an instant, she can blow the horns off the devil himself.

What a way to start the festival.

2.30pm     WEST WESTON’S BLUESONICS

Steve "West" Weston is one of the best Chicago/West Coast style players in the Europe. His performance level of harp playing is held in high regards globally and rightly so too. Combine his blues harp talents with his vocals and charismatic performance, together with a great band, and you know that this show will be an absolute treat.

He is also a member of Roger Daltrey’s touring band and Mud Morganfield’s European band.

3.45pm     THE FUTURE SHAPE OF SOUND

The Future Shape of Sound are a Rock ’n’ Roll, Gospel, Soul outfit based in East London spear-headed by producer/guitarist Alex McGowan.

Visualise a bunch of Rock ’n’ Roll, blues musicians and gospel singers coming together to rock it out in a circus tent! This outrageous collective is the ultimate example of uplifting music meets funky theatre. An absolute spectacle - you won’t know quite know what happened, but you’ll never be able to forget it! A band that re-evaluates what modern Rock ’n’ Roll really is.

5pm      ROBBIN KAPSALIS & OSCAR WILSON WITH THE GILES ROBSON BAND

Two stalwarts from Chicago grace the stage together with another of one Europe’s finest harmonica players.

Robbin Kapsalis carries the soul of Chicago's Southside in her voice. Born among the echoes of the city's legendary blues scene and later shaped by Atlanta's rich musical heritage, she delivers performances that blend traditional blues grit with contemporary spirit. Her commanding voice exemplifies the emotional depth of classic blues while bringing a fresh, modern sensibility to the genre.

 Oscar "Mr. 43rd Street" Wilson is a true torchbearer of Chicago blues, celebrated for his powerful voice, captivating stage presence, and deep connection to the genre's South Side roots. Born in 1953 on Chicago's iconic 43rd Street, Oscar grew up surrounded by the sounds and spirit of the blues. The son of blues guitarist and vocalist H.S. Wilson, Oscar's upbringing was steeped in a rich musical tradition. Oscar has been honoured with many blues industry awards and nominations. A true legend of our time.

Multi award winning, internationally recognized blues harmonica virtuoso, singer and masterful showman Giles Robson has had a dream musical career. The only European artist to appear on Chicago’s legendary Alligator Records who described him as “A blues giant, absolute master of the form”. He is only one of three UK blues artists alongside Eric Clapton and Peter Green to win a coveted Blues Music Award in Memphis (The Grammys of the Blues).

6.30pm         ALVIN YOUNGBLOOD HART

Grammy nominated and winner, ‘WC Handy’ Blues Music Awards winner, Hart is known as one of the world's foremost practitioners of country blues. He is also known as a faithful torchbearer for 1960s and 1970s guitar rock, as well as western swing and traditional country. The cosmic American love child of Howlin Wolf and Link Wray'

Known as a 'musician's musician,' Alvin Youngblood Hart's praises have been sung by everyone from Bob Dylan to guitar gods Eric Clapton and Mick Taylor.

Boy got thunder in his hands! Sure does!" ... Alvin Youngblood Hart is that rare breed who brings cultural awareness and artistic expression into a vibrant, natural marriage. His skills as a multi-instrumentalist command attention. His music is pure pleasure and surprise.

7.45pm     SOUTHERN AVENUE

We are truly blessed to have this exciting, young band exclusively in Inverness.

Southern Avenue, the Blues Music Award winning, Grammy nominated Memphis based, family band, plays original Memphis blues, modern soul and gospel infused roots music that is uplifting and timeless. They are known worldwide for their inclusive, message driven songs fuelled by hard hitting grooves and electrifying guitar.

The band is unlike any other on the scene today featuring lead vocalist Tierinii Jackson, her husband, guitarist/songwriter Ori Naftaly, and her sisters drummer / vocalist / songwriter Tikyra Jackson and percussionist / violinist / vocalist Ava Jackson.

They are among the most musically riveting and visually exciting live bands and are among the few ‘must see’ acts on the scene today, with inspiring church harmonies fuelled by the passion of blues and soul.

9.15pm         THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS

Blues royalty and living legends, the T-Birds are another European exclusive act to come to Inverness from Austin, Texas.

For over 30 years, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been the quintessential American Blues band.  The group’s distinctive and powerful sound manifested itself into a unique musical hybrid via such barnburners as Tuff Enuff and Wrap It Up. Co-founder Kim Wilson, the sole original member, still spearheads the group.

Muddy Waters called Kim Wilson his favourite harmonica player and vocalist. “Muddy Waters was very good to me,” Wilson says. “He almost adopted me. I’ll never forget him.”

In 1979, The Fabulous Thunderbirds released their first self-titled album. Primarily blues influenced, it became a cult classic. In subsequent releases, the band started to incorporate more Cajun, rock ‘n roll and soul influences.

Kim Wilson, the legendary harmonica virtuoso and frontman of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, is preparing for what may be his most personally meaningful tour yet. The upcoming "A Tribute to Chicago Blues" tour represents a homecoming of sorts for Wilson, who cut his teeth playing alongside the very architects of the Chicago blues sound.

Wilson's connection to Chicago blues runs deep, stretching back to his teenage years when he was fortunate enough to witness and learn from the masters themselves.

Further information:

1. When/Where: The Inverness International Blues Festival will take place on Saturday 28 Mar 2026 from 12:00 - 22:30 at the Northern Meeting Park, 14 Ardross Street, Inverness, IV3 5NS. 
2. Read previous news release: Inverness to host first International Blues Festival
3. Funding: The Inverness International Blues Festival is being showcased through the Inverness Events and Festivals Programme; and is funded by the Inverness Common Good Fund.  The Festival has been made possible with significant sponsorship from Haventus and partnerships with Visit Inverness and Loch Ness and Highland Hotels Association. Special thanks also go to blues aficionado Kevin Hillier (Festival Artistic Director) who through his exceptional talent has sourced the acts for the festival. 
3. Collaboration: In collaboration with Highland Hotels Association, a number of special rates at a variety of local hotels have been secured. Find out more here. 
4. For more information:

• Official website: https://invernessbluesfestival.com/
• Buy tickets here via Ticket Tailor:  https://buytickets.at/highlandcouncil/1923971  
• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/InvernessBluesFestival/  
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/invernessbluesfestival/