Nobody quite knew what to expect from the first BlueTone Festival.

The vision was ambitious: four days of jazz, blues, funk and soul in the heart of Taunton, bringing internationally renowned artists together with local talent in the surroundings of Vivary Park.

Over four days at the end of May, that vision became a reality.

From Ruby Turner’s opening-night performance through to Courtney Pine closing the festival on Sunday evening, BlueTone welcomed audiences from across Somerset and beyond to enjoy world-class live music in one of the county’s most beautiful settings. Alongside the headline artists, dozens of performers took to the festival’s stages, creating a programme that celebrated both established names and emerging talent.

What followed was an outpouring of enthusiasm from audiences throughout the weekend.

Ruby Turner’s appearance on the opening night drew some of the strongest reactions of the festival. Attendees described her performance as “magnificent”, “outstanding”, “absolutely amazing” and even “almost life-changing”. Songs such as “I’d Rather Go Blind” left a lasting impression, with many commenting on both the power of her voice and the warmth she brought to the stage. Others described her as “world class”, praising not only the performance itself but the genuine connection she created with the audience throughout the evening.

Friday saw The Brand New Heavies bring their trademark blend of funk and soul to Taunton. Fans who had followed the band for decades described them as being “as good as they were back in the day”, while others simply called the show “a must see”. The atmosphere continued to build as festivalgoers settled into the weekend and discovered what BlueTone was all about.

Saturday belonged to Curtis Stigers and his band, whose performance was repeatedly described as “fabulous”, “stellar”, “phenomenal” and “brilliant”. Festivalgoers praised not only the music but the humour, personality and connection he brought to the stage. Many highlighted the rapport between artist and audience, while others commented on the quality of the sound and production throughout the festival. For many, it was another unforgettable evening in Vivary Park.

By Sunday, there was a feeling that something special had taken shape. Comment after comment spoke of how much people had enjoyed the previous three days and how they were determined to make the most of the festival’s final chapter.

Courtney Pine ensured BlueTone ended on a high. Audiences described the performance as “absolutely fabulous”, “unforgettable” and “the icing on the cake” after four days of music. One attendee spoke of the passion on stage and the chemistry between the musicians, while others praised the energy of the performance and the way it brought the inaugural festival to a memorable close. For many, it was a fitting finale to a weekend that had exceeded expectations.

Yet perhaps the most telling comments were those that spoke about the festival itself.

Across social media, attendees described BlueTone as “a fabulous four days”, “a weekend of joy and great music”, “an amazing four days of great music”, and simply “the best time”. Many praised the combination of world-class music, a relaxed atmosphere and the setting of Vivary Park. One festivalgoer who travelled from Northumberland for the inaugural festival described it as “the best festival experience I have ever had”.

Again and again, people commented on how well organised the event felt whilst retaining a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The words “relaxed”, “professional”, “friendly” and “well organised” appeared throughout the weekend as audiences reflected on their experience. Several highlighted the quality of the food and drink offer, while others praised the sound quality, production standards and attention to detail across the site.

Many also took time to recognise the people behind the scenes. Volunteers, security staff, welfare teams, traders, artists, technicians and production crews all received praise from attendees. Several comments specifically thanked those who had worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to bring the festival to life, acknowledging the effort required to create an event of this scale in its very first year.

The festival’s Live & Local programme also received special mention. Audiences welcomed the opportunity to discover emerging artists performing alongside internationally recognised names, while younger performers were praised for helping demonstrate that the future of jazz, blues, funk and soul remains bright.

A recurring theme throughout the comments was the sense that people had discovered something they wanted to be part of. Many attendees spoke about spending all four days at the festival. Others promised to return after experiencing just one. Throughout the weekend, comments repeatedly appeared asking for BlueTone to return and expressing hopes that it would become a permanent fixture in Taunton’s cultural calendar.

For a first-year festival, those reactions matter.

BlueTone was created with the ambition of bringing outstanding jazz, blues, funk and soul to Somerset while creating a welcoming space where people could come together through live music. The inaugural festival demonstrated what can happen when great artists, dedicated volunteers, local businesses and enthusiastic audiences come together in a shared celebration of music.

The first BlueTone Festival lasted just four days.

But judging by the response from those who were there, it feels very much like the beginning of a much longer story.