MUSIC fans are coming to boogie by the Bay as Swanage prepares for its third Blues & Roots festival this weekend.

Organiser Steve Darrington has pulled off a real coup is securing an appearance by American troubadour, poet and musician Kent Duchaine and his special friend, Leadbessie – a battered 1934 National steel guitar.

“I’m very pleased to welcome Swanage Railway as a new venue this time,” says Steve. “Martin Payne, the new commercial manager, is keen for the railway to take passengers to the gigs in Corfe Castle, so there’ll be music on some trains and buskers entertaining on Swanage railway station too.”

New acts include Blue Touch with their grinding blues rock, the acoustic foot-stomping acoustic blues of the Back Porch Band, film noir instrumentalists The Jawbreakers and the lively Dirk Diggler’s Blues Revue. Old favourites Ernie’s Rhythm Section are back by popular demand, as is Radio 2 regular Sonny Black and crazy vaudevillians The Fabulous Fezheads.

There’s also free entry to some 40 gigs by 26 acts in 12 pubs, restaurants and hotel bars.

Full details at swanage-blues.org