Sidmouth’s Jazz and Blues Festival which was held for the first time earlier this summer has been hailed as a success with organisers promising its return next year.

Taking place from 2nd – 5th June with free live music held throughout the town, the first performances coincided with the town’s Jubilee street party, which really added to the atmosphere.

The festival’s director, Ian Bowden, told reporters: “We have been absolutely thrilled by the overwhelming and positive response following this year’s festival. We know that so many people enjoyed the variety and quality of the music that was on offer and there were so many wonderful highlights. We gratefully thank all the amazing musicians that performed, our sponsors, patrons, venues and the town of Sidmouth for being so supportive.

“As a new festival we are totally committed to learning from our experience and will be looking to implement changes where required to make the festival even better in 2023.”

The sentiment was shared by the town council who have been supporters of the festival since the beginning. In a statement released by the council, they said: “The festival organisers worked collaboratively from the very start of the project with the council and local organisations to bring a quality festival to the town.

“We have received excellent feedback from some of our hotels commenting on how accessible the music and venues were for all, bringing the benefits from holding such an event to as many festival goers and businesses as possible. The organiser’s wish to source venues and refreshments as locally as possible is really appreciated, whilst the atmosphere in the town was one of a happy festival being enjoyed by all, whether it be residents, musicians or visitors to the town.”

There are already plans for a bigger, better festival for 2023. Organisers have announced that next year’s dates will be 25th -29th May, which will continue the spring bank holiday. Find out more information, visit sidmouthjazz.com