AFTER the success of last year's first Abertillery Blues Festival, it's now back with an even bigger line-up.

The Abertillery Blues Festival 2006 will be held over two days on Friday July 14 and Saturday July 15, with an even bigger line-up of the best in British and transatlantic blues music in the heart of the Valleys. Held under a marquee in the picturesque setting of Abertillery Park, this year's festival sees a separate British Blues night and an International Blues Night.

The Friday night starts at 7pm and sees British Blues Band and Cadillac Kings play Blues.

Former legendary frontman of the Groundhogs, Tony Mcphee will be performing a vibrant mix of acoustic and electric styles, solo and duets sets with his partner Joanne Deacon.

To round off the first event of the Abertillery Blues Festival, the sensational Blues band The Hamsters will be getting the crowd rocking with some of their own material and Jimi Hendrix and ZZ Top classics.

The International Blues event on the Saturday will run from 3pm to 11pm and will see several fabulous blues performers rock Abertillery Park.

Swansea Band The Revelators will be warming up the Saturday event with their acoustic and electric blues. British blues artist Ian Seagal has been wowing audiences across Europe with his powerhouse performances with his battered old National Steel guitar.

Blues Club favourites Danny Bryant's RedEyeBand and Paul Lamb and the Kingsnakes will be making their first appearance at Abertillery Blues Festival. After storming the stage at last year's festival, Nine Below Zero are back by popular demand.

Headlining this year's festival is the phenomenonal American blues sensation Eric Bibb. Eric has toured throughout the world and his soulful and gospel infused, folk-blues performance will be the highlight at this year's festival.

Tickets priced at: Friday Saturday, both nights standard £15, £30, £40. Early bird discount £13, £25, £35. Blues Club members £12, £24, £30.

If you book your tickets before Monday, May 1 2006, you can receive an early bird discount off the full price.

For further details, contact the Box Office on 01495 350360 or visit www.blaenaugwentvenues.com