The European Blues Challenge, organized annually since 2011 by the European Blues Union, will take place April 16–18. Artists will perform original programs before audiences and an international jury of eight music-industry experts.
This year’s edition will span three days. Two semifinals on April 16 and 17 will select eight finalists, four each night, with the final scheduled for Saturday, April 18, according to the Katowice city hall.
The semifinals, along with accompanying events such as the Blues Market and Blues Expo, will be held at the Katowice Miasto Ogrodów (“City of Gardens”) cultural center. The final concert is set for the concert hall of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Organizers also plan Open Stage concerts in the city center and a Blues Behind the Scenes awards gala. A day after the competition ends, on April 19, Katowice will host a concert as part of the “Silesian Blues Trail” series.
Poland will be represented by the duo Red. Chirowski & Pan Wydro, winners of the national Polish Blues Challenge 2026, held during the 2025 Suwałki Blues Festival.
City officials noted that Katowice has long been a major blues hub in Poland, hosting events such as the Rawa Blues Festival and featuring a downtown Blues Stars Avenue honoring leading Polish blues musicians and bands.
(jh)
Source: PAP