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Under the European Blues Challenges (EBC) banner, the European Blues Union has organized successful contests in Berlin (2011 & 2012), Toulouse (2013), Riga (2014), the very successful edition at the Ancienne Belgique theatre in Brussels (2015), Torrita di Siena (Italy/2016), Horsens (Denmark/2017), even in Hell (Norway/2018) and on the Azores (Portugal/2019). In nine 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 22 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 organizes 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.
So far, Belgium was represented by Howlin’ Bill (EBC winner in 2011), Lightnin’ Guy, Hideaway, Fred and the Healers, Doghouse Sam & his Magnatones, Tiny Legs Tim, The BluesBones, Ed & The Gators and Black Cat Biscuit. The 2019 BBC winner will have the honor to represent Belgium at the 2020 European Blues Challenge in Zaandam in The Netherlands on April 17 and 18, 2020. Travel cost and lodging will be at the expense of the winner.
http://belgium.europeanbluesunion.com