Organiser Neil Mumme said the vibe was great and was pleased with the numbers and how it was all going down.

Very popular on Friday night and drawing a crowd was one of the international acts Chris Cain all the way from San Francisco in the USA.

His blues licks, soulful singing and facial gestures signalled the blues was definitely back in Narooma.

Among those familiar faces in the crowd rocking out to the blues man was Jenny Oliver formally of Narooma and now of Batemans Bay.

Jenny said she had gone to every single blues festival since it began in Narooma 16 years ago, including the ill-fated year it moved to Batemans Bay.

“I’ve been to every single one and it’s great that’s back home – it should have never left.”

Also of that opinion was ABC Southeast radio presenter Tim Holt who on Friday night was relishing being in Narooma for all three days of the festival.

“It’s so special and you can see by this crowd that is back where it was always meant to be,” Tim said.

He said he was going to introduce on stage a few of the local Far South Coast acts including Daniel Champagne and Heath Cullen.

He said the festival was so important for boosting the careers of local young and emerging talent and he was disappointed that ABC management had not gone for the concept of doing a live broadcast from the festival – maybe next year.

The festival was something new for young artist Minnie Marks, who we found backstage with a bunch of groupies, three young lads that had come all the way from Goulburn.

Minnie, who is from near Taree, said this was her first blues festival and she was loving it.

There appeared to be no trouble early on Friday night and there was a heavy police presence with officers and a dog doing the rounds of the festival.

The Great Southern Blues Festival continues Saturday and Sunday starting at 11.30am with tickets available at the gates.

Find out all you need to know at the Narooma News festival hub.