The 2026 Notodden Blues Festival once again confirmed its role as one of Europe’s leading meeting points for the international blues community. This year’s edition brought together legendary artists, emerging musicians and key figures from the European Blues Union (EBU), while celebrating the strong connections between Notodden, the European blues scene and the wider international blues community.
European Blues Union Meets Former EBC Champions in Notodden
Several board members of the European Blues Union — Stepan, Kjell, Fred and Jostein — were present in Notodden during the 2026 festival, strengthening the close relationship between the Notodden Blues Festival and the European blues network.
The 2026 edition was also marked by a series of remarkable reunions with artists connected to the European Blues Challenge (EBC). Among them were two Norwegian EBC champions from different generations: Rita Engedalen, winner of the European Blues Challenge in 2012, and Adama Janlo, crowned Norway’s EBC champion in 2026.
The festival also welcomed the Blue Benders, the young Swedish band that reached the podium at the European Blues Challenge in 2024.
These reunions offered a powerful reminder of the role that the European Blues Challenge plays in discovering and supporting blues talent across Europe. They also highlighted the long-standing connection between Notodden and the European blues community, bringing together artists and professionals whose careers continue to contribute to the development of the genre.
Three New Names Added to the Notodden Blues Walk of Fame
Notodden Blues Walk of Fame 2026 – Photo by Aigars Lapsa
One of the most anticipated moments of the Notodden Blues Festival 2026 was the traditional induction ceremony on the Notodden Blues Walk of Fame.
This year, three major names were honored: Devon Allman, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, and JT Lauritsen & The Buckshot Hunters.
The triple induction took place on Torvet in the heart of Notodden, attracting a large and enthusiastic audience. The ceremony celebrated artists whose careers and contributions have helped shape both the history of the festival and the international blues scene.
The Notodden Blues Walk of Fame has become an important symbol of the city’s commitment to preserving and celebrating blues heritage. At the same time, its international list of honorees reflects the global nature of the genre and the cultural exchanges that have made the Notodden Blues Festival a significant destination for blues musicians and fans.
By honoring artists from both the American and European blues traditions, the 2026 ceremony once again demonstrated how Notodden connects blues history with the contemporary international music scene.
Little Steven’s Blues School Supports the Next Generation
The Little Stevens Blues School was another important part of the 2026 Notodden Blues Festival program.
The educational initiative was divided into two camps designed to meet the needs of musicians at different stages of their development. One focused on young musicians taking their first steps in their musical journey, while the other was aimed at emerging artists who had already developed a solid level of technical and artistic ability.
Supporting young musicians has become an essential part of the festival’s broader mission, and in 2026 the European Blues Union co-funded four European scholarships for the Little Stevens Blues School.
An additional American scholarship, created in partnership with the Pinetop Perkins Foundation, further expanded the international dimension of the program.
These scholarships represent a concrete investment in the future of blues, helping young musicians access professional training and opportunities regardless of their geographical background.
Young Blues Musicians Take the Stage in Notodden
The students of the Little Stevens Blues School were not only involved in workshops and educational activities. Throughout the festival, they also performed several concerts in front of live audiences.
Their performances brought an unmistakable sense of energy and freshness to the 2026 festival. The young musicians delivered vibrant and heartfelt sets, demonstrating the impressive musical level developed through the program.
Their presence also created a meaningful connection between generations of blues musicians. Alongside established American and European artists, the students had the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of an internationally renowned blues festival and perform in front of a live audience.
For festival-goers, these concerts offered a glimpse of the future of the blues — a generation of young artists developing their own voices while learning from the traditions and musicians who came before them.
Notodden Continues to Build the Future of the Blues
The Notodden Blues Festival 2026 demonstrated once again that its importance extends far beyond a series of concerts.
From the reunions with European Blues Challenge participants and champions to the induction of international blues icons into the Notodden Blues Walk of Fame, and from the educational work of the Little Steven’s Blues School to the scholarships supported by the European Blues Union, the festival brought together the past, present and future of blues music.
Notodden continues to serve as a meeting point for artists, audiences and blues organizations from across Europe and beyond. Its combination of musical heritage, international cooperation and support for emerging talent makes the festival an important part of the European blues landscape.
The 2026 edition therefore celebrated not only the history of the blues, but also its future — proving once again that Notodden remains a vital home for blues culture, international collaboration and the next generation of musicians.
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