Top 10 Countries For Blues Rock
Blues Rock is a global genre, but where is it the most popular? Here are the top 10 countries for blues rock based on the readership of Blues Rock Review.
Blues Rock is a global genre, but where is it the most popular? Here are the top 10 countries for blues rock based on the readership of Blues Rock Review.
Here in the Chicago area most of the major US blues rock artists will come and play
I agree that the size of the US probably prohibits the less known artists from touring.And a lot of other out of the country bands as well.
I don’t have stats but it seems like the US artists do better in Europe.
Now maybe that’s because they can tour and hit more cities more efficiently that then leads to building up a stronger fan base so it’s a cause and effect situation.
Also the genre may suffer here due to the lack of exposure.
I bet there is a bigger audience that are fans of the 70’s blues rock that just don’t go searching to seek out new artists.
The casual fan of exposed to new artists would find some they really get into.
This is most clearly defined by how someone like Joe Bonamassa with no major label or radio play can fill 5,000 seat halls at every stop here in the States
I’m pleased that Australia made it to number six. We have a strong blues rock following with numerous Blues based festivals throughout the year. I think the advent of the internet and sites such as MySpace helped enormously. Now iTunes has opened up artists that we would never have heard of. BRR has done the same for us. One comment in the presentation was regarding the size of the US and making it harder and more expensive than say the UK. Australia is the same size as the US but with only a tenth of the population. Touring in Australia is very expensive meaning visiting artists are restricted to the Eastern camitals of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
The major issue here in the USA is the money. The pay is almost triple across the pond except the UK which is becominore like us.The main issue is too many bands are playing for a door deal.
A very interesting video.
Being European, I’m not at all surprised that Spain and Italy feature in your top 10. Both countries regularly hold blues based festivals and who can forget the Seville 92 Guitar Legends 5 day Beano?
The UK,of course, has long been known for its love of the blues and has produced too many blues/rock bands to list here. No surprise then that US artists find a very welcoming and knowledgeable audience on these shores.
Just a few days ago I was privileged to see Walter Trout in Warrington (a 2 HR train ride away – so local in US and Australian terms) and regularly travel to gigs to get my fix of the blues.
Unfortunately, the venue for our local Blues Club in Barrow-in-furness burned down recently (cue jokes about smouldering blues!) and Bill and Joyce who booked the bands have decided to call it a day after many years dedicated to the cause of “Keep it Live”. I’m sure though that, having seen many young and very talented bands over the last few years (Check out the Della Grants from Leicester if you get the chance), the genre will not only survive but thrive in the years to come.
We are extremely lucky to have so many talented young. and established, blues rock bands in the UK – especially ones coming from the South East and Scotland. We are also seeing many more American bluesrockers touring here. Having the clubs so close in London is a bonus but all major cities and towns have their own clubs. Recently, there have been two new blues clubs started in Kent and we have enjoyed really good bands at both. Blues Rock is definitely going strong in this part of the world – and long may it continue.
Good to see that the Netherlands are on spot number seven.The music scene in general is interesting here for such a small country.Some blues rock bands are doing very well here, for example Beth Hart, Joe Bonnemassa en Govt Mule are very popular with a strong, loyal following. But almost no real airplay on radio/TV.
So this is still a bit of an underground thing. Also the audience is generally much older (average age above 40+)
Some good local bands are:
Leif de Leeuw band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwSWGSZdnq8
Ruben Hoeke band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1efLwkMqz34
matt jacobs band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aUWyMeXYgw
Really interesting to see the top 10. Here in the UK the love of blues rock really seems to go in cycles but will hopefully never fade away. There seems to be a healthy crop of new groups/artist keeping the flame alive at the moment. Please keep up the great work, it’s always great to be introduced to someone new.
A big Howdy from Texas y’all – keep the blues rockin!!!