Utrecht Blues Festival, Tivoli Vredenburg, Utrecht (2023)
Steamy big city blues, soul, rock 'n' roll and everything in between on 4 stages.
In 1979 the NBBO (Nederlandse Blues en Boogie Woogie Organisatie) started with “Blues Estafette” in Vredenburg Utrecht, each year dozens of American blues artists were flown to Holland for the occasion. It evolved into one of the most important blues festivals in the world. The festival ceased to exist in 2006 due to a lack of sponsorship.
Theater Tivoli/Vredenburg has started a new music festival in 2023, in which blues will once again play a major role.
Ribs & Blues, Raalte (1997)
Ribs & Blues is a music festival in Raalte, Overijssel. It has been held annually since 1997 on the first and second day of Pentecost on the festival grounds of the Domineeskamp in the centre of the village. In 2010, approximately 45,000 people attended the free festival.
The Ribs and Blues is inspired by American blues festivals with a combination of music and eating spare ribs from the barbecue. In addition, there has been a program with international street artists in Theaterland since 2005, which is also freely accessible.
During the Pentecost weekend, about a dozen Dutch, British, American and Belgian blues, blues rock and Americana bands can be seen and heard.
In 2011, a second stage was added and the number of performing bands increased to 21.
Since 2023, Ribs & Blues has charged a modest entrance fee due to the enormously increased costs that also have a significant impact on the festival world.
Jazz in Duketown, Den Bosch / 's Hertogenbosch (1962)
Jazz in Duketown is a large and free jazz festival during Pentecost in the city center of 's-Hertogenbosch (a.k.a. Den Bosch). It attracts between 130,000 and 150,000 visitors annually. The name Duketown comes from Hertog in 's Hertogenbosch; the Dutch name for 'duke'.
The festival is held on 10 different stages. In total, around 80 different concerts are held by well-known and lesser-known artists in various contemporary jazz styles with crossovers towards soul, blues, funk, world music and dance.
The festival started in 1962. In 1982, the organization of the festival became independent and was placed in a foundation.
Culemborg Blues, Culemborg (1994)
Culemborg Blues is a free blues festival that takes place annually in Culemborg on the fourth Saturday of August.
The first edition was held in 1994 in the historic center of Culemborg. The main stage is on the Markt at the foot of the town hall. About twenty (inter)national blues bands play on the various stages, both inside and outside.
All kinds of blues styles are represented and there is a clear space for young talent.
Traditionally, the festival starts with a “dinosaur” from the Dutch blues scene.
On the Friday evening before Culemborg Blues, “The Night before the Day After” is organized by the Culemborg hospitality industry. Blues and rock bands play in various hospitality establishments. In 2019, “The Day After the Night Before” started on the Sunday afternoon after the festival.
