A SOUTHAMPTON night spot will be staging a blockbusting blues fest from locally sourced talent.

One of the city’s newest venues, The 1865 Club is fast becoming the home of the blues.

Last year, the club pulled off a major coup by attracting two mega blues acts from the other side of the pond.

They were Mud Morganfield, eldest son of the legendary Muddy Waters, and Kirk Fletcher one of the best blues guitarists in the world and four times Blues Music Award nominee.

Instead of reaching across the Atlantic, The 1865 club is set to dip into a talented pool of blues bands and musicians firmly rooted in the Hampshire area.

Among the acts at the Hampshire Roots Blues Fest on January 31 will be Steve Brookes, co-founder of The Jam.

The 1865’s Jamie Ford says: “Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset have a hugely strong blues scene, often strengthened with the odd visit by a well known touring name.

“But this is a chance to celebrate our own Blues musicians. Some have blessed us with their blues for many years and some for a few.”

Along with Paul Weller, ace acoustic guitarist Steve Brookes helped to steer Jam to chart busting success.

The punk rock/mod revival band had huge success in the late 70s and early 80s with 18 consecutive top 40 singles in the United Kingdom charts.

The line up also includes Pete Harris, who has been a leading player on the South Coast blues scene for more than 30 years.

He has gigged throughout the UK and Europe, recording an album on the prestigious Blue Horizon label.

Pete will be sharing the stage with Hugh Budden, one of the South’s best harmonica players, who has played with and supported a glittering array of bands and musicians including Queen, Manfred Mann, Van Morrison and Fleetwood Mac.

The 1865 Blues package also includes Chicago 9 who deliver a no nonsense 21st century blues experience and two other leading South Coast blues bands, Rhythm Blasters and This Way Up.

Doors open at 2pm. Call 023 8022 2605.