The European Blues Union has successfully organized four consecutive European Blues Challenge (EBC) competitions which took place in Berlin, Germany (2011 and 2012), Toulouse, France (2013), followed by Riga, Latvia, the European Capital of Culture in 2014.
The EBC weekend contest features some 20 bands and/or solo acts, each representing their country, competing for the title of the best European Blues act. The prizes for the award-winning contestants include invitations to perform at some of the major blues festivals around Europe. A large number of friends and fans customarily travel from all over Europe in support of the artists hailing from their country. Each participating country organizes a national contest or initiates an alternative selection process to determine their representative for the EBC.
Brussels is truly honoured to have been chosen by the European Blues Union to host the 5th European Blues Challenge. This jubilee competition – organized by the Brussels Blues Society in cooperation with the Brussels Capital Region – will take place on March 13 and 14, 2015 at the Ancienne Belgique theatre. Ten countries are performing on Friday, the other ten on Saturday, followed by the announcement of the winner.
On the opening night, March 12, Brussels will also showcase some of Belgium’s finest Blues and Roots music artists. The opening concert at the Ancienne Belgique will feature the four Belgian representatives who performed at the previous editions of the EBC. Lightnin’ Guy will host the event and welcome Hideaway, Howlin’ Bill (winner of the 1st EBC in Berlin) and Fred and the Healers, the latter act also celebrating their 20th anniversary on the night.
Brussels, the de-facto capital of Europe, will also become the capital of Blues music during this exciting three–day event, and is looking forward to welcoming numerous musicians, fans and aficionados of this exhilarating musical genre which is the Blues!