Notodden Blues Festival

Notodden Blues Festival is the largest blues festival in Europe, and it is widely known as "Europe's best blues experience". The first weekend in August every year Notodden Blues Festival serves up the best in Norwegian and international blues.

In pleasant surroundings in and close to the city center the Notodden Blues Festival offers everything from small intimate club concerts with local artists to blues cruises on the beautiful lake Heddalvannet, workshops in Europe Blues Centre, church concerts, band camp for youth, children's and family events to major concerts featuring the biggest international stars on the festival’s main stage. Notodden Blues Festival has received the international award "Keeping The Blues Alive Award" for best international blues festival. KBA is awarded by the international organization Blues Foundation in Memphis and is considered the blues’ answer to the Academy Awards. Notodden also has Europe’s Europe's only blues museum, Notodden Blueseum, which is well worth a visit.

The list of blues, soul and rock greats who have performed at the Notodden Blues Festival is almost endless and includes artists like BB King, Buddy Guy, ZZ Top, Robert Plant, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Johnny Winter, Gary Moore, John Mayall, Van Morrison, Koko Taylor, The Black Keys, Dr. John, Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett, Robert Cray, Otis Rush, etc.

Notodden has a vivid blue scene throughout the year. Every year at the festival you can experience Notodden artists as Kåre Virud Band, Rita Engedalen, Notodden Blues Band, Spoonful of Blues, Lady J & Her Bada Bing Band, Terry Lehns, and more.

You will always find updated information about the Notodden Blues Festival on their web site: www.bluesfest.no