Brisbane's Blues Arcadia will be bringing their brand of "dirty soul" to the Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival for the first time.
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"Festivals are usually quite enclosed, and it's within a certain area with loads of vendors and things like that," singer Alan Boyle said.
"But this seems like a proper community festival where the whole community are involved... That to me would mean it's something not just different, but a little more special than your average festival."
Boyle said the band, which formed about four years ago, would be touring in support of their new single Two Wrongs (Don't Make It Right).
He said Kiama fans were also likely to hear some unreleased material.
"It's soul, jazz, blues; obviously with our name we're fairly heavily influenced by the blues," the vocalist said.
"We pride ourselves on putting on a performance. We always play every show like it could be our last one."
Kiama's streets, cafes and venues will be filled with music when the long-running festival returns from March 6 to 8.
The community festival is in its 33rd year, and will feature 40 acts and 80 performances across more than 35 venues throughout the Kiama area.
Among the local contingent of performers will be Kiama-based blues artist Frank Sultana.
He played the festival for the first time last year with his band, but in 2020 will be performing solo.
"What's unique about it is it's a free festival, and it's a really high-quality line-up," he said.
"Most of the festivals are ticketed and the rest of it. But this is still one of the old school, free community-based festivals, but they draw really good acts."
The other headline act will be Sydney blues vocalist Milena Barrett.
Eric Dunan, director of the Jazz Studies Program at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music will host the curated 'Jazz Lounge' at Kiama Leagues Club.
The festival will feature the free Hindmarsh Park stage performances on the Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
There will also be a curated buskers' trail, and a picnic steam train operating over the weekend to bring punters down from Sydney.
Tom Oxley from the festival organising committee said they were prepared in case of inclement weather.
"It's a case of rain drops, nothing stops," he said.
"We've got wet weather options; at least 80 per cent of the festival is indoors.
"We also have a contingency for the park stage."
For the festival timetable, visit www.kiamajazzandbluesfestival.com.au.
The free festival is a not-for-profit event run by a team of volunteers.