TIMES may be tough but that's great for singing the blues . . . and for listening, too.

About 100 fans turned out last night for a Blues Rock Festival warmup session in Phuket City.

The free music from the Rich Harper Blues Band and singer/shouter Jimmy Fame began about 10pm and was still lifting the lid downtown at Rockin' Angels Jammin' Cafe at midnight.

What promises to be Phuket's best Blues Rock Festival yet strums to an offciial start on Friday evening and continues through the whole weekend.

While Asean financial leaders will be seeking solutions to the world's economic problems at the Sheraton Grande, music will be fixing everything else at the Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort & Spa at Karon beach.

We know which party will have the most attentive listeners, and the preferred solution. Here's the agenda:

Admission: 800 baht per session or 1200 baht for two nights.

VIP pass: 3000 baht

Tickets: At the venue or from locations listed on the events website. It's a charity event with all profits going to scholarships for local children.

Friday February 20

5pm: Gates open for darts, games, food and drink

6.25pm: Opening by vice governor, appearing with Ricky Zen, George Cordeiro and Fai Jang Blues Gang, Sam Wilko Band, the Groove Doctors, the Rich Harper Band, and a tribute to Jimmy Hendrix featuring Jimmy Fame, with Eric Bibb to follow

Saturday February 21

5pm: gates open, drinks eats and games

6.15pm: Showtime with Ricky Zen, Lil' Willie and Ko, KNIKI, Bert Deivert & Janne Zander, the Blues Machine, Cannonball and Mitch Woods and Rocket 88s

Sunday February 22

Jam session at Royal Phuket Marina, town square

Admission: free

6.30pm: Jam session begins

10pm: End of festival jam session at Flamingo Splash Lounge Music Club, Kata Night Bazaar, Kata Beach.