VI.BE

Under the European Blues Challenges (EBC) banner the European Blues Union has organised successful contests in Berlin (2011 and 2012), Toulouse (2013), Riga (2014) and this year at the Ancienne Belgique theatre in Brussels. In five years the EBC has come to be known as “The Eurovision Song contest of the Blues”.

Held on a weekend, the EBC contest attracts some 20 bands/artists, each representing their country, competing for the title of the best European Blues Act. The trophy for each of the award-winning contestants is a chance to perform at some of the major European Blues festivals. Typically a large number of Blues music enthusiasts, family, friends, fans and fellow countrymen travel from all over Europe in support of their national performers. Each country organises its own national competition or has an alternative selection process in place from which they pick the artist which will represent their country at the EBC.

A promotional compact disc album introducing all EBC contestants is manufactured and distributed throughout Europe and video recordings of the events are distributed via websites and social media.

So far, Belgium was represented by Howlin’ Bill (EBC winner in 2011), Lightnin’ Guy, Hideaway, Fred and the Healers and Doghouse Sam & his Magnatones.

The 2015 BBC winner will have the honour to represent Belgium at the 2016 European Blues Challenge in Torrita di Siena (Italy) on April 8 and 9, 2016. Travel cost and lodging will be at the expense of the winner.