Keeping the Blues Alive in Harborough

Introducing January Creative of the Month: Harborough Blues

Tipitina, performing April 2026

At the heart of Market Harborough’s live music scene, you’ll find a small group of people doing something rather special — bringing world-class blues musicians to town and creating a space where artists and audiences truly connect. Harborough Blues is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation with a simple but powerful aim: to bring top-quality blues music to Market Harborough.

Run by a close-knit group of friends who share a deep love of live music, Harborough Blues hosts monthly gigs — usually on the first Wednesday of the month — at Louisa’s Place on St Mary’s Road. Since their very first gig in November 2024, they’ve been booking outstanding professional blues acts from across the UK and abroad, and the response has been remarkable.

Behind the scenes, the team brings together a mix of skills, including event management, organisation and social media know-how. While they modestly describe themselves as facilitators rather than creatives, what they do is a creative act in itself: carefully curating line-ups, building an audience, and creating the conditions for live music to flourish.

Sunjay, performed December 2025

Their approach is clearly working. Every one of their first dozen gigs has sold out — a rare achievement that speaks volumes about both the quality of the artists they book and the appetite for live music in the town. More importantly, audiences keep coming back. There’s a shared sense that Harborough Blues gigs offer something special: a welcoming atmosphere, exceptional musicianship, and an audience that really listens.

Although Harborough Blues doesn’t see itself as “the creative” in the room, the artists certainly feel the creativity in the space. Many performers arrive in Market Harborough having never played there before, only to leave talking about the warmth, enthusiasm and attentiveness of the crowd. So much so, in fact, that many ask to be booked again.

Looking ahead, the team’s hopes are rooted in something bigger than their own success. They want to see live music thrive — not just blues, but all genres — in Market Harborough and beyond. While their audiences are there because they love the blues, what they truly value is the experience of hearing top-quality musicians playing live, in a space where they feel appreciated.

Harborough Blues is a reminder of how much live music matters — and how powerful a supportive, engaged community can be. The town’s willingness to show up, listen, and value musicianship has made it a standout destination for performers, and the hope is that this spirit continues to grow.

As Harborough Blues shows, creativity doesn’t always mean standing on stage.

Sometimes, it means opening the door, setting the scene, and bringing people together — and Market Harborough is richer for it.

To explore the full line-up of Harborough Blues performers, head over to their website. https://harboroughblues.com/