The tenth edition of the Blues Tour Groningen has a record number of sixteen stages in catering companies in the city center of Groningen. No fewer than five cafes joined the event this year, one company has decided to rejoin after a short period of absence. The Blues Tour Groningen 2018 is Saturday 24 February and all locations are free for visitors from 21.00 p.m.
Organizer Joris van Berkel is pleased with the growing interest from both the participating companies and the visitors who come from far and wide to Groningen to listen to their favorite music. The musical event has made its name. ,, By email and Facebook Dozens of bands from the Netherlands and abroad register at the same time to play in Groningen. It enables us to make a nice selection that enthusiasts will enjoy a lot.”
Van Berkel cannot fail to mention that the Blues Tour Groningen started cautiously ten years ago and was then an initiative of enthusiasts Wim Angerman and Wim Entzinger. Entzinger had to say goodbye to the organization a few years ago due to too busy work and made way for Van Berkel in the organization. Last year was the sudden death of William Angerman who has the honor of being the driving force behind the nine previous editions of the event.
,,We have asked the participating bands on Saturday evening around eleven o'clock to bring a small tribute to Wim Angerman on the stages”, says Van Berkel. The Blues Cowboys with Lou Leeuw have already promised to play the special song The Man with the Black Hat as a tribute to Wim Angerman. The song was composed by Lou Leeuw last year and played at Wim's memorial service."
After ten years, Van Berkel cannot estimate how many blues enthusiasts come to the city center of Groningen to listen to their favorite music. ,,There must be thousands, because all the cafes where they play are packed and at the same time many enthusiasts are walking or cycling on their way to visit the different stages. Especially for this tenth edition, we have launched a T-shirt with our logo that can be ordered online and can be purchased on Saturday evening in City cafe Pronk at the Fish Market.”
Information about the sixteen stages and the bands that play there can be found on the website bluestourgroningen.nl† A special supplement to the website is available for the smartphone user, which makes it easy to find the route through the city center to the sixteen locations.