Shakura S’Aida, Eric Sardinas, Elliott Murphy, Jackie Venson, and Big Daddy Wilson headline the 27th edition, which reaffirms the Blues Béjar Festival as one of the genre’s premier events in Europe. On July 10 and 11, Béjar will once again prove that the blues is more alive than ever.
Some festivals are created just to fill up the calendar.
And there are others that end up becoming part of a genre’s history.
The Blues Béjar Festival belongs to that second group.
While many music festivals come and go after just a few editions, the town of Béjar in the province of Salamanca has been transforming itself, for one weekend in July, into one of Europe’s great blues meccas for nearly thirty years.
The 2026 edition, to be held on July 10 and 11, will once again bring together some of the most respected voices, guitarists, and bands on the international scene, confirming yet again that this small Castilian town is capable of attracting artists that any major European capital would love to have on its lineup.
A festival with its own identity
Founded in the late 1990s, the Blues Béjar Festival has built its reputation by steering clear of commercial formulas.
Here, the blues has always taken center stage.
It doesn’t matter if you’re coming from the Mississippi Delta, Texas, Canada, Belgium, or the United Kingdom.
The important thing is to keep alive the spirit of a music that continues to move people even several generations after its inception.
This commitment to the genre has made the festival an essential fixture on the European circuit, attracting fans every summer from different parts of Spain, Portugal, and other European countries.
Shakura S’Aida and one of the great voices of contemporary blues
One of the most anticipated acts of this year’s festival will be the return of Shakura S’Aida.
The Canadian singer is one of the most charismatic blues performers today, thanks to a powerful voice that moves effortlessly between soul, funk, and classic blues.
His stage presence is pure electricity.
Each of his concerts combines emotional intensity, humor, improvisation, and an extraordinary ability to connect with the audience.
His return to Béjar promises to be one of the festival’s highlights.
Eric Sardinas and When the Blues Becomes Dangerous Again
If there’s one artist who can set any stage on fire, it’s Eric Sardinas.
For decades, the American guitarist has been proving that the blues can still sound wild, unpredictable, and incredibly electric.
His ever-present resonator guitar, his slide technique, and his absolutely explosive stage presence have made him one of the most spectacular musicians in the genre.
Their performance will undoubtedly be one of the most anticipated of the weekend.
Elliott Murphy is poetry, rock, and the American spirit
To speak of Elliott Murphy is to speak of one of the great American songwriters of the past five decades.
Although he is often associated with singer-songwriter rock, his music has always been closely tied to the blues and the American musical tradition.
Together with his band, he will give a concert where the songs, stories, and emotion will take center stage just as much as the guitars.
The Authentic Sound of Mississippi
Another highlight of the lineup will be the match between Toni Green, Vasti Jackson, and The Mississippi Explosion.
Jackson is a true Mississippi blues legend.
A winner of numerous international awards, producer, guitarist, and composer, he embodies the purest tradition of the genre.
Combined with Toni Green’s extraordinary voice, they promise to deliver one of the most elegant concerts of the entire festival.
Jackie Venson represents the future of the blues
It won’t all be about tradition.
The festival also looks to the next generation with artists like Jackie Venson.
The Texan guitarist has become one of the most interesting names in contemporary blues thanks to a sound that blends blues, rock, soul, funk, and even pop influences.
Her electric guitar technique has made her one of the most admired musicians on the international circuit.
A new generation named Kevin “Sonny” Gullage
With just a few years under his belt as a professional musician, Kevin “Sonny” Gullage represents the natural next generation of American blues.
A pianist, singer, and showman, he takes the stage accompanied by The Blues Groovers with an energetic live performance that proves the blues still has a bright future ahead.
Big Daddy Wilson: Elegance Set to Music
Few artists convey as much warmth as Big Daddy Wilson.
His unmistakable baritone voice moves effortlessly between blues, soul, gospel, and American folk.
Each of his performances becomes an emotional journey where the songs matter far more than any theatrical flourishes.
Doghouse Sam & His Magnatones will get the party started
The most laid-back act on the lineup will be Doghouse Sam & His Magnatones.
This Belgian band recaptures the most festive spirit of classic rhythm & blues with concerts full of rhythm, humor, and lots of dancing.
The perfect way to wrap up a day dedicated to celebrating the blues in all its forms.
The festival continues in Candelario
As is now tradition, the Blues Béjar Festival doesn’t end when the lights go out on the main stage.
On Sunday, the music moves to the nearby town of Candelario, one of the most beautiful towns in Spain.
This year’s traditional musical vermouth event in Plaza del Solano will feature Joe & The Jackpots, while in the afternoon, the Municipal Park will host performances by Forty Four Soul and Nat Simons, one of the most prominent artists in the Spanish American rock scene.
This closing event turns the festival into a true weekend experience where music blends with the heritage, cuisine, and charm of the Sierra de Béjar.
Much more than just a festival
In an era dominated by mega-festivals, the Blues Béjar Festival represents the exact opposite.
It does not aim to bring together hundreds of artists.
It aims to provide time to listen.
To discover.
To chat.
To enjoy the blues in a unique setting where the audience can still experience the concerts up close.
Perhaps that is the secret to its longevity.
LoffMusic’s opinion
While many festivals struggle each summer to repeat the same formulas, the Blues Béjar Festival continues to maintain its own unique identity, which has made it one of Europe’s leading events in the genre.
Its commitment to bringing together legends, new talent, and a unique setting once again makes Béjar a must-see event for any blues lover.
Because some festivals schedule concerts.
Béjar has been organizing history events for nearly thirty years.
Béjar Blues Festival 2026
📍 Béjar (Salamanca)
📅 July 10 and 11, 2026
Confirmed Artists
- Shakura S’Aida
- Eric Sardinas
- Elliott Murphy Band
- Toni Green & Vasti Jackson & The Mississippi Explosion
- Jackie Venson
- Kevin “Sonny” Gullage & The Blues Groovers
- Big Daddy Wilson
- Doghouse Sam & His Magnatones
Sunday in Candelario
- Joe & The Jackpots
- Forty Four Soul
- Nat Simons
