European Blues Challenge in Chorzów, Poland: Three Days of Outstanding European Blues

The European blues scene came together in Chorzów, Poland, for three unforgettable days of live music, talent and celebration at the European Blues Challenge (EBC).

The event kicked off on Thursday, June 1, with an energetic performance by the Boogie Boys and the official Before Party, setting the tone for an exceptional weekend at Sztygarka in Chorzów.

Over the following days, 21 bands representing the European blues scene took to the stage, alongside special guest Alexander Dolgov, delivering an exciting showcase of the diversity, creativity and international spirit of contemporary European blues.

European Blues Challenge: An International Jury

As always, selecting the winners was no easy task. The performances were evaluated by a distinguished international jury made up of respected blues experts from across Europe:

• • Kaz Hawkins (United Kingdom)

• • Barbara Bloch (Germany)

• • Consti Hoernchen (Austria)

• • Peter Buhl (Denmark)

• • Stepan Suchochleb (Czech Republic)

• • Elżbieta Puczyńska (Poland)

After careful consideration and some difficult decisions, the jury announced the three winning acts of this edition.

European Blues Challenge Winners

The final results celebrated three outstanding bands from different corners of Europe:

1st Place – Noa & The Hell Drinkers (Spain)

Noa Eguiguren (vocals), Gonzalo Portugal (guitar), Paul San Martín (keyboards), Manu Gestido (bass guitar), Ibai Ros (drums). Noa & The Hell Drinkers (Spain) @ Winners of the EBC, 11th European Blues Challenge 2023, Sztygarka, Chorzów, Poland, 03.06.2023. (c) Christophe Losberger

2nd Place – Soft City (Norway)

Thea Sørli Paulsrud (vocals), Ask Vatn Strøm (guitar), Håvard Ersland (organ), Vegard Staum (drums), Joachim Mørch Meyer (bass).
Soft City (Norway) @ EBC, 11th European Blues Challenge 2023, Sztygarka, Chorzów, Poland, 03.06.2023. (c) Christophe Losberger

3rd Place – The Cinelli Brothers (United Kingdom)

Marco Cinelli (vocals, guitar, piano, organ), Alessandro Cinelli (vocals, drums), Thomas David Julian Jones (vocals, harp, guitar), Stephen Giry (vocals, bass, guitar). The Cinelli Brothers (United Kingdom) @ EBC, 11th European Blues Challenge 2023, Sztygarka, Chorzów, Poland, 03.06.2023. (c) Christophe Losberger

Their performances highlighted the remarkable quality and diversity of the European blues circuit, confirming the strength of a music scene that continues to grow beyond national borders.

Celebrating the European Blues Scene

The European Blues Challenge in Chorzów was much more than a competition. It was a meeting point for musicians, industry professionals, blues associations and fans, bringing together different musical traditions under one shared passion: the blues.

Three days of performances, international connections and unforgettable moments once again demonstrated the vitality of European blues and the importance of events like the European Blues Challenge in supporting and promoting blues artists across the continent.

Congratulations to all the participating bands, the winners, the jury members and the organizers for making this edition in Poland such a memorable celebration of European blues!