THE organisers of StowBlues are considering whether to expand the music event after more than a 1,200 people attended at the weekend.

StowBlues has only been going for two years but is continuing to grow and had 200 more people attend this year’s event compared to 2011.

The free event, which is held at the Museum of East Anglian Life, as part of Stowmarket Festival, gives local bands the chance to showcase their talent in front of a local audience.

Organiser Mike Rushmore said: “Stowmarket Festival has been growing and growing. Talking about StowBlues last year, we thought we would get 200 people and we ended up with a 1,000. The beer sold out by 6pm.

“Word has spread and people have told their friends. Blues is a broad church, true blues is one man with a guitar right through to the soul and funk outfits.

“We do 15-minute changeovers, no soundchecks, no prima donnas. We have a really lovely atmosphere.”

Seven bands including groups from Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex all graced the stage on Saturday.

Mr Rushmore said he enjoyed all of the bands but he particular liked the final two acts, Blues Situation and Saiichi Sugiyama Band.

The other bands that played were Jamie Williams and the Roots Collective, Second Hand Blues, Electra, Absolution, Back Porch.

The bar was run by the Campaign for Real Ale.

This weekend will see “StowFest” – the two-day free music event – take place as part of Stowmarket Festival at the Recreation Ground.

Daniel Harvey of Stowmarket Town Council, one of the organisers of StowFest, said: “We don’t want to stand still. We want StowFest to evolve and develop each year.

“Anyone who appreciates good quality live music is bound to have a good time at StowFest.” For the full line-up details of the two-day event, go to www.stowfest.co.uk