Superstar Bonnie Raitt is the big crowd-puller during the first Holland International Blues Festival on 3 and 4 June 2016. Next spring, artists and aficionados will gather at the Woodstock-like festival site in Grolloo in the Dutch province of Drenthe for this two-day event entirely focussed on blues music. According to co-organiser and blues fan Johan Derksen it was about time for a festival like Holland International Blues: “This is what makes the difference between a bunch of noise and real music.”

Johan Derksen and the organisers have, in addition to Bonnie Raitt, also confirmed Beth Hart, Jools Holland, Ana Popovic, Jimmie Vaughan, JJ Grey, and Robert Randolph for the festival.

Derksen: “We wish the whole event to breathe the atmosphere of Woodstock. But then, of course, with better facilities. The festival site of Grolloo proves to be the ideal location for that. For me, blues music is pure enjoyment. In a fitting surroundings with like-minded souls. And naturally, I am hoping that all kinds of fun and spontaneous actions occur, Jools Holland for example loves jamming and improvising and the blues is perfect for that.”

For the fans of Bonnie Raitt, the festival offers a unique opportunity to see this 10-time Grammy winner perform live. The singer will not give any other performances in our country and will be on stage on the second day of the festival.

Pre-sales starts on Friday 20 November at 10:00 o’clock. Tickets (through Ticketmaster) cost Euro 45 for one day and Euro 75 for those who wish to attend both days. For the people who with to stay overnight there are plenty of camping sites in the vicinity of the festival site. With this festival, Grolloo becomes the Blues Village of the Netherlands.

Source: Holland International Blues Festival

Review (Dutch) Blues Magazine