Next July and as part of the fourth edition of Bilbao Blues Festival, Bilbao will again witness the final of the state Volotea Blues Challenge. The four best bands of the current scene will compete for a place in the European Blues Challenge, one of the most important international events of this musical genre. “Back to host this important event reaffirms the status of Bilbao as an international benchmark of Blues,” celebrates Carlos Malles, festival director.
The registration period will open on Monday, May 12 and will end on June 6. To apply, it is essential to fill in this form. The names of the selected bands will be announced on the 23rd of the same month. The winning band will participate in the European Blues Challenge 2026, one of the most prestigious international competitions of this genre.
The festival, promoted by the Bilbao City Council, will be held from July 25 to 27 with a free program with top level concerts, which will take place in the Arenal. The Challege will serve as an appetizer, as it will be held on the eve of the start of the event, on July 24.
A MASTER OF CLASSIC ROCK AND ROLL COMPLETES THE POSTER
On the other hand, Bilbao Blues Festival completes its line-up with the incorporation of Alfonso José Martínez, known as Al Dual, who is considered a master of classic rock and roll. This musician from Murcia faithfully reproduces the sounds of American music from the 50s and 60s, a virtue that has established him as one of the most prestigious names on the international rockabilly scene. He is a versatile and talented guitarist as well as an exceptional vocalist, who brilliantly fuses this genre with others such as country or blues.
Throughout his career he has performed in prestigious stages and halls in the United States and Europe and can boast of being part of the Nashville Rockabilly Hall of Fame since 2018. He has been awarded at the Ameripolitan Music Awards as best international male soloist (2018), at the Premios de la Música de España (2018) and at the Premios Fénix (2019). Likewise, he is “endoser” and ambassador of the Gretsch guitar brand, a recognition reserved for the masters of this instrument.
PARALLEL ACTIVITIES:
EDUCATIONAL CONCERT AT GUGGENHEIM BILBAO AND BOOGIE-WOOGIE CLASSES
The Bilbao Guggenheim Museum will also offer on Friday 25 free pedagogical concerts for children, as part of its TopARTE program. The duo Diablues ta Bluezifer together with Basque Televission (EiTB) presenter Oihan Vega and double bass player Nagore Sanz will participate in this didactic activity.
This band formed by Mikel Etxeberria (oral sound, guitar and vocals) and Asier Elorza (Voice, guitar, dobro and trumpet), two musicians from Bergara united since 2014 by their passion for acoustic blues, will offer unusual sounds with special melodies and instruments: vocal games, dobro and trumpet.
Sunday morning will also see the return of the successful free boogie-woogie classes at the Arenal, open to the participation of all audiences, with or without dance experience. Fun and dynamic, the boogie-woogie sessions, which share movements with swing, attracted a large number of people in the last edition. They are taught by Carlos Etxebarria, from the Portugalete Swing Dance School.
