Will Harrogate get new blues and soul weekend festival this summer?

As well as Harrogate International Festivals’ Music Festival for classical music, world music, pop, folk and jazz fans, there’s also the return of Harrogate Fake Festival and a new music and arts crafts day in Valley Gardens called Happygate.

And now comes news of the possibility of the town’s first Harrogate Blues and Soul Festival.

July is the key month with both Harrogate International Festivals’ Music Festival and Harrogate Fake Festival taking place.

The latter event sold out last year on The Stray at West Park and its return on Saturday, July 23 promises more top tribute acts performing as some of the world’s most famous rock and pop bands.

The following day, Sunday, July 24 will see the first-ever community-organised Happygate Festival in Valley Gardens dedicated to a broad cross-section of grassroots music and arts.

The next committee meeting is scheduled to take place at the Sunrise Cafe on Skipton Road in Harrogate on Monday, March 14.

As for the Harrogate Blues and Soul Festival, it’s early days yet for this new event which aims to bring top quality acts to the town over a whole weekend in a wide range of venues.

Organisers are currently talking to various venues and organisations.

The aim is a not-for-profit festival with proceeds going to good causes such as victims of recent flooding.

Harrgate Fake Festivals, meanwhile, is part of a hugely popular national touring show which has been successful for 10 years.

This year’s line-up includes a Queen tribute (Flash), Kasabian (Kazabian) and U2 (New 2).

As always, there will be an afternoon showcase of talented ‘home-grown’ bands based locally to the festival.

Featuring a giant marquee which covers for any poor weather, Harrogate Fake Festival can also boast a well-stocked licensed bar inside and a food area outside.

As for this year’s Harrogate International Festivals’ Music Festival, acts revealed so far include Sir Willard White, The Unthanks, the Brodsky String Quartet and The John Wilson Orchestra.

To find out the rest of the programme, organisers advise getting a ticket for an exclusive launch event at the Royal Hall in Harrogate on Saturday, March 12, starring the Simón Bolívar String Quartet.