TICKET sales are hotting up for the first two-day blues festival to be held in Halesowen.

The annual Stourbridge festival is moving to a bigger venue at the Old Halesonians Rugby Club.

It was previously held at Stourbridge’s rugby club, but the bigger Wassell Grove site can accommodate up to 3,000 fans and overnight camping.

The festival, on Friday and Saturday May 16 and 17, will feature 14 top international blues/rock acts performing to help to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

It has been extended to two days to accommodate more live acts, like Swampcandy all the way from the deep south of America.

Also topping the bill will be Virgil McMahon, European Blues Guitarist 2013 and Brothers Groove who are nominated for two 2014 British Blues awards.

There will also be an acoustic lounge which will have an open mic session on the Saturday.

Festival Director Gary Child said: “I have brought together some great international and local acts with lots of musical talent. Our aim is to keep music live and raise as much money as possible for our worthy cause.

“Our new venue offers free camping over the two days, free car parking and lots of room for a large outside stage.”

Tickets and further information is available from www.stourbridgebluesfestival.co.uk.’