Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival brings five days of live music to the East Devon town from Thursday 27 to Monday 31 May 2027, under the banner “Where the Sound Meets the Sea”. The music runs across jazz, blues, roots, soul, gospel, funk, Latin and Cuban.
What happens
Headline concerts and a contemporary day programme take place on the main stage in the walled Blackmore Gardens, with headline, evening and daytime performances. The 2027 headliners, with the support acts announced so far, are:
- Thursday 27 May: Jools Holland, with Hollie Rogers
- Friday 28 May: Beverley Knight, with Tony Momrelle
- Saturday 29 May: Level 42, with The Next Movement
- Sunday 30 May: The Robert Cray Band, with Toby Lee
- Monday 31 May: Heather Small and Omar, support to be announced
The first day programme names are Bette Smith, Ashley Henry and Ray Gelato & The Giants on Saturday 29 May; China Moses, Cubafrobeat (Lokkhi Terra meets Dele Sosimi) and Ronnie Scott’s Gospel Choir on Sunday 30 May; and James Taylor Quartet, The Big Smoke Family and Eddy Smith & The 507 on Monday 31 May. More names are still to come.
Outside the gardens, the free Love Local stage on Peacock Lawn, next to Blackmore Gardens, is open to the public from Thursday 27 to Monday 31 May. There are also free music workshops under the Love Education banner, free street music from marching bands and painted street pianos, and fringe gigs in the town’s hotels, pubs, bars and restaurants.
Soul Food brings food from local and regional suppliers, including vegan and vegetarian options. A VIP experience at Sandridge Barton and camping are also offered: check the festival website for details.
Visitor Information
Dates: Thursday 27 to Monday 31 May 2027.
Tickets: Festival passes are on sale now. Individual day and evening tickets are on sale from Thursday 5 November 2026. Book through the festival website.
Free music: The Love Local stage on Peacock Lawn, the Love Education workshops and the street music are free.
Getting there: The main stage is in Blackmore Gardens in Sidmouth, with the Love Local stage on Peacock Lawn next door and fringe gigs around the town.
Where to Stay
Sidmouth is a seaside town on the East Devon coast. Browse places to stay near Sidmouth and book early for the end of May.
