 Blues fans get ready, the City of Armagh will hop, bop, swing and slide to the sound of brilliant blues bands in 15 different venues this August with an exciting new date on the Blues music calendar. The 7 Hills Blues Fest will run on the 12th, 13th and 14th August. From Chicago Rhythm, Country Slide and Roots to Rock ‘n’ Blues, Boogie Woogie and Funk Style, the full-line will be unveiled at a taster launch party on Thursday 28th July in the Market Place Theatre. Blues fans enjoyed Blues on the Bay last May in Warrenpoint and they are looking forward to the Monaghan Harvest Blues this September. Thanks to Armagh they don’t have to wait that long for a great blues festival but choosing the right name is obviously crucial. Armagh City Centre Manager Martin O’Neill explains, “Local artist and lead singer of the “Crowbar Blues Band” Simon Smith, worked with the Council to unearth an interesting story. Armagh is renowned for our cultural heritage but we’ve drawn on our stunning landscape and our connection with outer space. “In 1900 a Blues legend was born named Blind Willie Johnston, a self taught Gospel soul and blues singer and he wrote “Dark was the Night”, a soulful blues slide guitar lament. In 1977 when NASA sent the Voyager ‘Deep Space’ probe blasting through the summer sky, they included messages in 50 languages as well as pictures and music – just in case they encountered life. Blind Willie Johnston’s “Dark was the Night” was one of the pieces of music chosen to represent the human spirit. Armagh Observatory, which sits on one of the seven hills of Armagh, boasts a replica of the Voyager. So, the “7 Hills Blues Fest” is the perfect title - a celebration of blues music resonating back towards the sky and our salute to Voyager’s journey!” Mayor of Armagh City and District Council, Cllr Freda Donnelly added, “Armagh offers a terrific family summer experience and several music festivals for all genres and I’m sure the 7 Hills Blues Fest will be another great success. The festival also includes a Blues 4 Kidz workshop and a family outdoor disco on the Saturday. The Council has had terrific support from the local bars and venues and many of the restaurants and cafes are getting into the spirit with theme menus. This summer Armagh is celebrating our rich heritage from stone age to space age and I’d encourage music fans and families to make the short trip to Armagh and enjoy a great weekend.” 
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