Live on the Bandstand: Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival - Rich Dickinson's Driving Force
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Celebrate Birminghams' Jazz and Blues scene as live music returns to the Gardens’ iconic bandstand this summer.
We’re thrilled to welcome the Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival back to the Gardens for a whole weekend this summer!
Running since 1985, The Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival is England’s longest-established jazz and blues festival and one of Europe’s biggest free jazz parties.
Formed over twenty years ago, Rich Dickinson’s Driving Force delivers electric performances built on well-crafted originals alongside faithful takes on blues classics from artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Rory Gallagher, Gary Moore and ZZ Top. The line-up has evolved over the years, now featuring Rich (Dave) Sleep on bass and vocals and Ted (Thundersticks) Nawrot on drums, adding new depth to the band’s sound while keeping its roots firmly in place.
At the centre of it all is Rich Dickinson himself, a self-styled Guitar Hooligan whose playing mixes flair with a deep respect for the blues. Through Rich’s wild and electric performance style, the band has built a reputation for exciting, high-energy performances. In 2025 alone they played 88 gigs, with a standout moment at the Riverside Stage at Upton Blues Festival, where a crowd stretched the length of the town and stayed put through torrential rain, hoods up and brollies out, still dancing.
In partnership with Big Bear Music. The performance is included with admission to the Gardens.
We’re thrilled to welcome the Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival back to the Gardens for a whole weekend this summer!
Running since 1985, The Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival is England’s longest-established jazz and blues festival and one of Europe’s biggest free jazz parties.
Formed over twenty years ago, Rich Dickinson’s Driving Force delivers electric performances built on well-crafted originals alongside faithful takes on blues classics from artists such as Joe Bonamassa, Rory Gallagher, Gary Moore and ZZ Top. The line-up has evolved over the years, now featuring Rich (Dave) Sleep on bass and vocals and Ted (Thundersticks) Nawrot on drums, adding new depth to the band’s sound while keeping its roots firmly in place.
At the centre of it all is Rich Dickinson himself, a self-styled Guitar Hooligan whose playing mixes flair with a deep respect for the blues. Through Rich’s wild and electric performance style, the band has built a reputation for exciting, high-energy performances. In 2025 alone they played 88 gigs, with a standout moment at the Riverside Stage at Upton Blues Festival, where a crowd stretched the length of the town and stayed put through torrential rain, hoods up and brollies out, still dancing.
In partnership with Big Bear Music. The performance is included with admission to the Gardens.
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Where is it happening?
Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Road, Birmingham, B15 3RT, United Kingdom
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherBirmingham Botanical Gardens
