Notodden Blues Festival

The Notodden Blues Festival, held every August in Notodden, Norway since 1988, has become a must-visit event for blues enthusiasts. It is not only one of the largest blues festivals in Europe, but also the biggest in Scandinavia. The festival focuses on delivering top-tier blues experiences, prioritizing quality over quantity.

Initiated by local blues aficionados, the festival swiftly gained acclaim and has since become one of Norway's most beloved music events. It has grown significantly over the years, consistently attracting larger audiences and increasing ticket sales. The festival is managed by a dedicated board elected by the General Assembly, and to ensure financial stability, they established the Notodden Blues Festival Foundation.

A distinctive feature of the festival is its youth seminars, designed for individuals aged 14 to 18, as part of the "New Generation of the Blues" program. Participants receive professional music instruction and have the opportunity to showcase their talents in a concert during the festival.

An interesting tidbit: In 2013, both Snoop Dogg and Hugh Laurie expressed interest in performing at the festival, but their offers were declined.