Acclaimed American bluesman Big Daddy Wilson will headline the festival, making a stop in the town as part of his 'Back To The Roots 2026' European tour. Wilson is considered one of the leading figures in contemporary blues and soul.
Organized by the merchant association Ibai Arte, the event will maintain its successful formula: free street concerts, offerings for all audiences, and a mix of styles that extend beyond traditional blues to include soul, vocal jazz, boogie, funk, and blues-rock.
A total of fifteen performances are scheduled. Alongside Wilson, notable acts include Red House Revival, the band led by veteran guitarist Francisco Simón, and Madrid-based Jonás Molina, who will perform with Blues Day.
A highlight of this edition will be the unique "Conversation of Two Pianos" featuring Paul San Martín and Lluís Coloma. This encounter will showcase improvisation, camaraderie, and the shared language of blues and boogie piano in a one-of-a-kind performance.
The program also includes a project led by Gonzalo Portugal, accompanied by bassist Mikel Azkargorta from Bergara, and two well-known vocalists from the festival circuit: Inés Goñi (leader of Mississippi Queen) and Noa Eguiguren (vocalist of Noa & The Hell Drinkers).
Diverse acts will also be featured, including Crazy Jumpers from Bizkaia and the blues-rock trio JAC Electric from Iparralde. From Gipuzkoa, FEMMM will present their fusion of jazz and pop with four female voices, alongside AC Band, fronted by Asier Crespo from Gasteiz and enhanced by Canadian musician Dave O'Connor. The Irun-based group Bluehat Band will blend blues with more contemporary sounds.
A distinctive feature of Arrasate Blues remains its commitment to the local music scene. A special highlight will be Bluexei, a band formed specifically for this edition with musicians from Arrasate and Bergara: Olatz Urkia, Ebert Sánchez, Aitor Etxagibel, Asier Elorza, Nagore Sanz, and Zigor Martínez. This group will kick off the nightly jam sessions. Local representation also includes Arrasate's own Mónica Durán with Angry Lovers, offering a brilliant contemporary soul-funk performance.
Festival director Jon Apraiz emphasizes that Arrasate Blues has solidified its unique identity through a combination of major international names and the vibrancy of its local character. "These two factors make it unique within the national blues festival circuit and among the various summer music events in Euskadi," he stated.
Apraiz also highlights the significant female presence in this year's lineup, with nearly fifteen women participating across various projects such as FEMMM, Angry Lovers, and the bands led by Inés Goñi and Noa Eguiguren.
The visual theme for this eighth edition incorporates fire and the dragon motif, a nod to Arrasate-Mondragón's identity and the imagery that has accompanied the festival since its inception. This aesthetic aims to reflect the power of live music and the energy of an event that is now a staple of Debagoiena's summer cultural calendar.
The full program can be consulted by clicking here.
