THE ninth Abertillery Blues Festival proved what a jewel in South Wales festival crown it was at the weekend.

The event attracted more names from the music world of blues and rock by bringing in a cornucopia of stars including international blues acts Mud Morganfield and Mick Pini on Friday evening.

Saturday afternoon’s line-up represented four of the finest acts from the four countries England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.

Scotland’s Marcus Bonfanti crossed the guitar complexity of Hendrix with blistering vocals reminiscent of Pearl Jam to deliver an astounding set that got the Saturday afternoon on track.

The heavy rock riffs of Jezebel and the insightful lyrics of Cheap Whisky – a song Mr Bonfanti described as “a song about drinking and making bad decisions” appeared to capture the audience imagination.

So did Ystrad Mynach’s own Henry’s Funeral Shoe who from the moment they took to the stage appeared to have the audience in their grasp – despite a few technical hitches.

The band are probably one of the best-kept secrets in Wales.

American audiences already love them and this set proved why.

They have a sound and charisma which most bands double their size find hard to produce.

The audience were enthralled with Dog Scratched Ear and Don’t Believe What You Read.

Catleblayney’s Gráinne Duffy had run into difficulty getting to the festival with her band thanks to a traffic accident up North.

But like true pros they turned up and delivered an astounding set.

Gráinne’s intricate guitar work and soaring vocals on Test of Time and cover of Etta James’s I’d Rather Go Blind brought thunderous audience appreciation.

Devon’s rocking rhythm and blues kings, The Nightporters, then followed up with a retro style set of 50s inspired rock n roll that got the audience on their feet and jiving into the early evening with even more to come from The Blockheads and Lucky Peterson.