German Blues Challenge 2026 + Special Guests Jörg Danielsen & Fabulous Vienna Blues Assn.

Blues Showdown on the Big Stage

Four bands are stepping into the ring, and nothing less than the crown of German blues is at stake. Whoever comes out on top—whether by a nose, a guitar, or a voice—will receive the coveted invitations to the 2027 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, as well as to the 2027 European Blues Challenge in Vila Do Conde, Portugal. Together with our friends from Baltic Blues e.V. in Eutin, we’ve once again succeeded in bringing this time-honored competition to the Wodan Halle. There, an international panel of experts will be listening very closely: According to the rules of the American Blues Foundation, instrumental and vocal talent, originality, stage presence, and, of course, the “blues factor” will be evaluated—in other words, everything that makes a musician’s heart race and their feet tap. By then, the bands will already have come a long way: First, they went through the pre-voting round with music journalists, event organizers, producers, and other scene insiders, followed by the online public vote. The lineup features plenty of talent and spirit, expertise and skill, passion and performance. In short: blues with plenty of steam under the boiler.

Performing in alphabetical order:
. Dodge Boogie
. ElVille BluesBand
. IndiJana and the Bandits
. Kat Baloun & Jan Hirte

And to make sure there’s no boredom during the set changes, the German Blues Awards will be presented in various categories during these breaks. The awards honor musicians, journalists, event organizers, and those who have made outstanding contributions to the blues in Germany.

Viennese wit and full-blooded blues

For the opening and for the time just before the ceremonial crowning of the Challenge winner—that is, exactly when the tension in the hall is already crackling audibly—we were looking for a band that had to meet a rather demanding set of criteria: classic blues? You got it. A connection to blues competitions? Absolutely. International experience? Preferably by the suitcaseful. And of course, the blues shouldn’t just be played—it should be lived and breathed.

We found what we were looking for among our Austrian neighbors: Jörg Danielsen and his Fabulous Vienna Blues Association bring all of that—plus a great deal of dedication. Their track record includes participation in the 2023 European Blues Challenge, numerous shows throughout Europe and South America, and excellent releases in the traditional Chicago style. On top of that, the band organizes its own festival and now hosts the Austrian Blues Challenge—and sends up-and-coming Austrian bands to international competitions.

And the sound? It doesn’t just get going—it rolls in like a Cadillac: you feel transported back to 1950s Chicago, that’s how deeply rooted the blues is in Jörg’s Association. Their groove sticks in your head; their style is sarcastic, cheerful, sad, spiteful, friendly, funny—and often all of these at once—exactly what the blues is allowed to be, what defines it. The band’s extended jams are almost legendary. The varied setlist features well-known interpretations of songs by Albert Collins, Freddie King, Magic Sam, and many more—along with surprising original material that leaves the audience not only nodding their heads but also smiling contentedly.