Bluesfest Gaildorf

Over 40 Years of Blues in Gaildorf

Bluesfest Gaildorf is an institution in the German blues scene — founded in the mid-1980s and celebrated without interruption ever since. The organizer is Kulturschmiede Gaildorf e.V., a volunteer-run association that sustains the festival entirely through the dedication of its members and local helpers. In 2016, Kulturschmiede received the German Blues Award for this commitment. Gaildorf itself, a town in the Schwäbisch Hall district with just under 12,000 inhabitants, has become known far beyond its municipal size thanks to the Bluesfest — internationally active blues acts regularly mention the small German town in interviews.

Friday — UK Blues and Genre Classics

The first festival evening, Friday, July 3rd, 2026, kicks off at 7 PM with The Cinelli Brothers, the "UK Blues Band of the Year 2026" — an Italian-British blues band phenomenon that has gained international attention in recent years with its smooth, soul-infused blues. Following them are Andrew Duncanson & Take A Ride feat. Michael Peloquin (8:30 PM) — the Swedish singer and his band, complemented by American harmonica virtuoso Michael Peloquin. At 10:00 PM, Vanessa Collier — the multiple Blues Music Award winner (saxophone, vocals), one of the most dynamic live voices on the contemporary US blues scene. The Friday lineup concludes at 11:30 PM with Guy King, the Israeli-American guitarist and singer with a soul-jazz-blues phrasing.

Saturday — Chicago Summer Tour and Devon Allman Summit

Saturday, July 4th, 2026, starts at 4 PM with The Özdemirs feat. Simon Oslender — the talented German pianist Simon Oslender (WDR Jazz Prize 2025) joins the Özdemir band for a modern, jazz-tinged blues program. At 5:45 PM, the Chicago Summer Tour 2026 with Stephen Hull, Sheryl Youngblood, and Johnny Iguana — a cross-section of today's Chicago blues scene. At 7:30 PM, Luke Winslow-King, the New Orleans guitarist with a folk-blues acoustic sound. Mike Zito (9:15 PM) brings his powerful, Texas-blues-infused guitar to the stage. And at 11:00 PM, the absolute highlight: the Devon Allman Blues Summit with Bernard Allison, Jimmy Hall, and Claudette King — three all-stars, curated by Devon Allman (son of Gregg Allman, Allman Brothers Band), a generational meeting of international blues royalty.

Castle Courtyard Atmosphere and Volunteer Organization

The festival atmosphere is a blend of dedication and local charm. Gaildorf Castle Courtyard — a Renaissance ducal residence in the town center — serves as the natural stage with good acoustics and sightlines. The Kulturschmiede helpers have been the same for years, and many visitors have been returning for over 20 years. The festival features no sponsor branding logos on the stages — a deliberate decision by the association, which prioritizes musical quality over commercial marketing. With over 1,000 visitors per evening, Bluesfest Gaildorf is a perfectly sized event: large enough to finance international acts, yet small enough to remain personal.