Music legend Van Morrison is to headline this year's International Blues on the Bay Festival, it was revealed last night.
The blues sensation will perform in the finale of the eagerly-awaited, Guinness-sponsored, five-day, 70-gig festival in Warrenpoint later this month.
Terry Loughins, sponsorship manager for Guinness said: "Guinness wants to bring jazz, blues and big band music right into the centre of the community in Northern Ireland.
"Music is something that we know really matters to people and in recognising this we want to make it accessible to as many enthusiasts as possible.
"The blues fest follows hotly on the heels of the swinging success of City of Derry's Jazz and Big Band Festival in April, also supported by Guinness.
"And the Guinness festival season doesn't end with our second showcase in Warrenpoint. The Guinness Limavady Jazz and Blues Festival in June will continue our festival season right into the middle of the summer."
The Warrenpoint blues extravaganza will also include performances from Aussie folk blues heroes Phil Manning, Muddy Waters guitarist John Primer and local band The Bluez Katz.
As well as a series of concerts, blues lovers will be able to enjoy free entertainment courtesy of the Guinness Bay Blues Pub Trail.
Budding blues musicians will also be invited to avail of workshops and jam sessions to help hone their musical skills.
The festival, which is supported by Northern Ireland Events Company, Newry and Mourne District Council, Northern Ireland Tourist Board and P&O Irish Sea, will run from May 25 to 29.
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