George "Mojo" Buford may appear at the festival, along with US act, man Willie Murphy and his Angel Headed Hipsters and Midge Marsden…
Now in its 10th year, the festival has grown from small beginnings at the Addington Showgrounds to a popular event that attracted more than 15,000 people to North Hagley Park last summer.
The weekend festival offers "continuous entertainment and an opportunity to sample the region's best ale and barbecue fare", say organisers, who are hoping for a crowd of more than 15,000 over the weekend.
Headlining the music line-up are the livewire American R&B man Willie Murphy and his Angel Headed Hipsters who had a series of successful gigs on New Zealand's West Coast last week.
Known for his work with Bonnie Raitt and sharing the stage with luminaries such as James Brown, Eric Clapton, and John Lee Hooker, Murphy and band are perhaps best remembered as a powerhouse live act who "create aggressive, thought-provoking, fun music".
From Minneapolis, Murphy will blast out his own brand of R&B, blues, and funk tonight and tomorrow at Boodles in the Civic, and also at Blues, Brews, and Barbecues on Saturday and Sunday, and the Southern Blues Bar on Sunday night.
Likely to be on show this weekend will be notable blues man George "Mojo" Buford who has played harmonica with the legendary Muddy Waters.
Well-regarded rock-blues guitarist Doc Savage will be on stage alongside Midge Marsden and Christchurch's own Coalrangers.
