As usual the festival takes the form of two evening concerts, each featuring three of the best blues based acts from across the world plus two afternoons of local blues and roots musicians performing on two stages. There will also be a variety of family fun activities run by The Children’s Centre in the Glen Gardens.

We are proud to announce a particularly stellar line up  this year. Our two headline acts are travelling from the USA and are internationally renowned performers.

Headlining at the Pavilion on Saturday 5th May is Mud Morganfield, the eldest son of one of the biggest names in Blues music, Muddy Waters. Over the last two years, Mud has been delivering his charismatic Chicago blues of the highest order to audiences around the world. He looks and sounds strikingly like his old man, so much so that one of his dad's former sidemen said "It's like watching a ghost in the flesh!" Mud, however also has his own very individual mojo working and will be touring with Europe's  top blues talent - West Weston: harp, Ronni Buysack-Boysen: guitar, Ian Jennings: double bass, Mike Hellier: drums.

On Sunday 6th May our headliner is the stunning guitarist Buddy Whittington. Buddy came to prominence in the 80s as guitarist in John Mayal’s Bluesbreakers and has been described by his ex-boss of 15 years as “possibly the greatest Bluesbreaker of them all”. Considering that the boss is John Mayall and the “all” includes Eric Clapton, Peter Green and Mick Taylor, this is some accolade.

Touring the US supporting ZZ Top  and  playing alongside Eric Clapton and Mick Taylor in 2003 for Mayall’s 70th Birthday Concert at The King’s Dock Arena in Liverpool stand out as high points of Buddy’s tenure as a Bluesbreaker.

The full programme for both nights can be found on the Line-Up page.

Such a rich variety and incredible quality of talent could not have been lined up for the 2012 festival without the continued support of our sponsors. We are pleased to have continued and generous support from Peter Norris Music, PokerStars, Tyrer Webster Ltd., Bushy’s, The Isle of Man Arts Council and Manx Radio and are very happy to be able to welcome Quinn Legal on board as sponsors.

As always The Big Wheel Blues Festival is a fundraising event for local charities run entirely by volunteers. As in 2011 money raised will be going to the Isle of Man Children’s Centre.

Tickets are available online and from other outlets including Peter Norris Music

 Dave, Dave, John, Jonno, Pete, Dick and Tim