Driven by Bilbao City Hall and organized by the renowned promoter Crazy Blues, the festival has designed a top-notch lineup with the aim of strengthening the town's position as a blues hub. Kontxi ClaverThe Councillor for Economic Development, Commerce, Employment and Tourism of Bilbao, highlighted: “Our objective was to complement the summer cultural offerings with a different and prestigious program, choosing blues as the main element. In this fourth edition, we can say that Bilbao is now the international capital of this style, fully entering the European circuit.”
International stars and unmissable exclusives
One of the most anticipated moments of the festival will be the presence of the legendary Texan guitarist Jimmy Vaughan, winner of four Grammy Awards. Vaughan will perform his only concert in Spain on Saturday at 20:45 p.m. and will receive the IV Bilbao Blues Festival Award, a recognition of his career and contribution to the genre. Carlos Malles, the event's director, highlighted the festival's commitment to bringing bands that have never played in the country, such as the Blackburn Brothers and Terrance Simien, in addition to the exclusive appearance of Vaughan after more than a decade of absence from Spanish stages.
The line-up is completed with an impressive list of renowned artists, including The Kings of Blues (a superband of historical musicians), the Canadians Blackburn Brothers, the young American promise Delanie Pickering, and veteran Terrance Simien with his explosive blend of zydeco and Creole rhythms. Also joining the festival are saxophonist Vanessa Collier, the highly anticipated Chicago Blues Summer Tour, Martín Burguez & His Rhythm Combo, and Ray Collin's Hot Club. Local talent will be represented by Sweet Marta & The Blues Shakers, Al Dual, and Mississippi Queen and The Wet Dogs.
Three days of uninterrupted music
The program kicks off on Friday, July 25th at 19:00 PM in El Arenal with local band Mississippi Queen & The Wet Dogs. They will be followed by The Kings of Blues at 20:45 PM and the Blackburn Brothers at 22:30 PM, closing out the first day.
On Saturday 26th, the Arenal Kiosk In the morning, Sweet Marta & The Blues Shakers (12:30 p.m.) and Al Dual (14:00 p.m.) will perform. In the afternoon, the main stage will feature performances by Delanie Pickering (19:00 p.m.), Jimmie Vaughan (20:45 p.m.), and Terrance Simien & Zydeco Experience (22:30 p.m.).
On Sunday the 27th, the Kiosko del Arenal will offer Boogie Woogie dance classes (11:30 a.m.), followed by performances by Delanie Pickering (12:30 p.m.) and Martín Burguez & His Rhythm Combo (14:00 p.m.). The main stage will round off the event with Vanessa Collier (19:00 p.m.), the Chicago Blues Summer Tour 2025 (20:45 p.m.), and Ray Collins' Hot Club (22:30 p.m.).
In addition, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao will host an educational family show on Friday at 11:00 a.m., featuring the duo Diablues ta Bluezifer, Oihan Vega, and Nagore Sanz, in a free bilingual concert.
Emerging talent at the Volotea Blues Challenge
The prelude to the festival, on July 24, will be the final of the second edition of the Volotea Blues Challenge at the Kiosko del Arenal starting at 19:30 p.m. Four of the best bands on the Spanish blues scene—BigBlack Rhino (Girona), Jonás Molina Band (Madrid), María Carbonell Blues Mood (Valencia), and Sirjo Cocchi & Balta Bordoy – The Blues Way (Barcelona)—will compete for a spot in the European Blues Challenge, one of the most important international events in the genre.
The Bilbao Blues Festival organizer, Crazy Blues, has solid international recognition, having been awarded the BBSA Award for Best Promoter in 2019 and the prestigious KBA Award for Best International Festival Organization in 2015, the highest global recognition awarded by the Blues Foundation in Memphis.
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