The biggest festival of its kind in the UK, the Gloucester International Cajun and Zydeco Festival is a non-stop party that brings the hottest bands and musicians from Louisiana, USA, France, Germany and the UK to the city, as well as dance and instrument workshops, jam sessions, Cajun food and an atmosphere that’s legendary.

Now in its fifteenth year, this three-day celebration delivers an unrivalled mix of music and dance from Louisiana where people know how to shake off the blues and party to the hot sweet sounds of Cajun and Zydeco Music.

The festival takes place in the Guildhall, right in the heart of the city of Gloucester.

Friday night headline band will be Holland/Germany/UK collective The Cajun Roosters, whose music hails from the Louisiana swamps and prairies north west of New Orleans. Pure Louisiana dance music, Cajun and Zydeco is the main course mixed with a healthy side order of Louisiana blues and swamped up rock n roll. They were voted Best European Cajun Band at the Cajun and Zydeco Awards in 2006 and 2007 – come and find out why!

Saturday’s main act The Racines will be flying in from Louisiana and feature a legendary line-up including Steve Riley (of the Mamou Playboys fame). Their rich, rootsy sound encompasses Cajun, Zydeco, Creole, Swamp Pop, Blues and more, and this addictive blend is set to be the very heartbeat of the festival.

Further information about the festival, news and links to artists' sites may be found on www.swampmusic.co.uk

Chris Hall, Swampmusic

Pat Roberts, Gloucester Guildhall

Festival updates will be available from www.gloucester.gov.uk/cajunfestival

Performers details are available on our performers page here.

Concert details are available on our concert tickets page here and on our performers page here.

More news and links to artists' sites may be found on www.swampmusic.co.uk

2008 Performers

The 2008 festival will feature the following bands:-

• The Racines
• Petite Et La Gross
• The Racines Unplugged
• The Cajun Roosters
• Pain D'Mais
• Zfunk
• Joe Le Taxi Zydeco Band
• Hotboxx
• Lil' Jim
• Whipoorwills

It will also feature instrument workshops with the following artists:-

• Steve Riley
• Kevin Wimmer
• Chris Stafford

Cajun and Zydeco Dance workshops will be taught be the following tutors:-

• Kay Anderson
• Phil Underwood

For further information about the concerts and performers at the 2008 Festival, please click here.

Jam Sessions

This year we've again set aside the bar area as a space where people can get together, jam, eat and drink. Check it out - pop in for an acoustic jam or just hang out and chill.

Saturday afternoon's session takes place from 3pm and will be hosted by The Cajun Roosters and friends.

Sunday afternoon's session takes place from 3pm and will be hosted by Gavin Lewery and friends.

Bring your instruments and join in, or try out your own tunes and songs. Obviously you will hear Cajun and Zydeco but all musical styles are welcome.

2007 Performers

The 2007 Festival was headlined by Leon Chavis.

If you would more information about who performed at the 2007 Festival, please click here.

Cajun Kitchen

The Guildhall's Cafe-Bar, The Place will be offering a range of authentic Cajun dishes for festivalgoers to savour during the festival weekend, as well as providing liquid refreshment.

Festival Location

The festival takes place at the Guildhall in Eastgate Street, right in the heart of the pedestrianised centre of Gloucester, and is signposted Guildhall Arts Centre on the many pedestrian signposts within the city centre. Please visit our 'how to find us' page for detailed directions.

Events will be taking place in the Guildhall's Cinema, Theatre and meeting rooms during the weekend.

If you need information about how to get to Gloucester, please visit our travel information pages, available here.

Accommodation

If you require details of hotels, guest houses and B&B's in and around Gloucester, please visit www.visitgloucester.info or call the Gloucester Tourist Information Centre on 01452 396572.

Facilities for Disabled People

Wheelchair access is available to the box office, cinema, theatre, galleries, meeting rooms, cafe-bar and toilets from the lift at our Eastgate Street entrance.
We are pleased to offer a complimentary ticket to the carer of any disabled patron who purchases a ticket for a live performance in the Guildhall.
Please advise the box office in advance if we can do anything to make your visit easier.
An induction loop to assist the hard-of-hearing is available at the box-office and in the cinema, theatre and meeting rooms.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the Guildhall.

Age Limits

We advise that under 18's should be accompanied by an adult.
Daytime events are open to all ages, however evening concerts in the theatre are open to over 14's only.

Booking Information

Weekend passes and individual concert and workshops tickets are now available for the 2008 Festival. These can be booked online, by post, by telephone or in person. Click here for details of ticket prices. Tickets have been kept at the same prices as the 2007 Festival.

Click here to download a booking form (pdf file)

BOOKING ONLINE

Weekend Passes and individual concert and workshops tickets are available for purchase via our secure server. Just click on the Internet Bookings link below, or click here and follow the simple onscreen instructions. We will hold your tickets at the Guildhall's box office for collection when you arrive for the festival, and will send you a confirmation email detailing the tickets that you've purchased. Customers who qualify for the concessionary rate will need to provide proof of status when they collect their tickets. We charge a fixed fee of £1 per event for online purchases. We regret that there is no 'shopping basket' facility available on our website.

Festival tickets are available for purchase via our secure server, just click on the Internet Bookings link to the left. We regret that there is no 'shopping basket' facility available on our website.

BOOKING BY POST

Please send us details of your ticket requirements, contact information and payment details. These should be sent to Gloucester Guildhall, 23 Eastgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1NS, UK.

Cheques should be made payable to Gloucester City Council. We also accept payment from VISA, SWITCH (MAESTRO) and MASTERCARD. A processing fee of £1 will be charged on all credit/debit card bookings. We will hold your tickets at the box office for collection when you arrive at the festival, and will either email you or send you a letter of confirmation detailing the tickets that you've purchased.

BOOKING BY TELEPHONE

Call Gloucester Events on 01452 50-30-50 with your ticket requirements. We accept payment from VISA, SWITCH (MAESTRO) and MASTERCARD. A processing fee of £1 will be charged on all credit/debit card bookings. We will hold your tickets at the box office for collection when you arrive at the festival, and will either email you or send you a letter of confirmation detailing the tickets that you've purchased.

During busy periods our staff will ask you to leave your name and telephone number. We will then call you back as soon as possible.

Outside opening hours calls will be transferred to our answering service. Please leave your name, telephone number and brief details of your ticket requirements and  a member of our team will call you back.

BOOKING IN PERSON

Call into the Guildhall's box office in Eastgate Street, open from 10.30am to 3pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 6.30pm on the evening of performances. You may also purchase tickets from the Tourist Information Centre in Southgate Street, open from 10am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday.

Personal callers may pay by cash, cheque or credit/debit cards. We accept payment from VISA, SWITCH (MAESTRO) and MASTERCARD. A processing fee of £1 will be charged on all credit/debit card bookings.

Refunds

We are unable to exchange tickets or offer refunds unless an event is cancelled.

Concessions

Concessionary ticket prices apply to students, senior citizens, the unemployed and under 16's. Proof of status is required.

Programme Changes

We reserve the right to make unavoidable alterations to the programme without prior notice.

Refusal of Admission

The Guildhall reserves the right to refuse admission to the venue.