Friday March 6th
The Friday Night Howlers
Four seasoned musicians, one Friday night, and a whole lot of Blues!
Big City Blues kicks off the festival with a bang. Please welcome on stage these top-notch Belgian Bluesmen: Big Dave (harmonica and vocals), Marc Thijs (guitar), Renaud Lesire (guitar / bass) and Bernd Coene (drums). Together, they are The Friday Night Howlers.
Expect raw, deep, and unfiltered Blues — music that growls, sweats, and bites. Straight from the gut, straight to the heart. Get ready to shuffle into the weekend like there is not tomorrow!
Saturday March 7th
Velvet After Dark feat. Nico Duportal
Velvet After Dark delivers sultry, dance-driven blues and slow drag for the late hours.
Led by trumpetist and vocalist Marie-Anne Standaert, the band blends deep grooves and a raw blues feel with refined touches of jazz and soul. The sound is built for the dance floor: a late-night club atmosphere, warm Hammond textures by Elias Dhooge, driving drums by Toon Van Dionant and seductive melodies that linger.
For Big City Blues, Velvet After Dark is joined by a special guest from France, Nico Duportal (guitar & vocals). His expressive style and strong presence will add extra fire, giving the music a powerful roots-blues edge.
Sunday March 8th
We have a reputation to keep up so you’d better keep your Sunday night and Monday morning free! We organize an all-night party at two of our favorite venues in the heart of the city of Ghent: Cafe Damberd and Missy Sippy Blues & Roots Bar.
We prioritize Big City Blues Festival participants. Please only join if you have a Big City Blues Full or Party pass.
Missy Sippy All Stars & Guests @ Missy Sippy
The Missy Sippy All Stars are unmistakably part of the Missy Sippy blues and roots club in the heart of Ghent where many legendary parties take place. Including Sunday March 8th!
Olivier Vander Bauwede (harmonica & vocals), Tom Eylenbosch (piano), Pieter Mortier (double bass) and Bernd Coene (drums) will bring bring exhilarating and energetic as well as slow and sensual blues.
Together with special guests (TBA), they will take care of the ‘late night sessions’ in this club and create the atmosphere of a hot, steamy juke joint.
Heleen & Fedia @ Café Damberd
Blues in the cozy setting of a local pub with incredible musicians and a welcoming dance floor: Café Damberd on the last night of Big City Blues transforms into the place to be for Blues dancers who want to wrap up the festival in style.
On stage: Heleen Andriessen (piano) and Fedia Holail Mohamed (vocals), two Ghent-based artists who will envelop you with intimate yet powerful Blues. We can’t wait to close our eyes and move our bodies to their music.