Dark Season Blues

The Dark Season Blues festival is an annual event in late October at 78 degrees north in Longyearbyen (Svalbard), and marks the beginning of the dark season when daylight and the sun is about to leave Svalbard for four winter months.

The first Dark Season Blues festival was arranged in 2003, and will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2012. It started out as a small intimate festival, and presented 15 bands spread on 17 events in 2010. The festival has four days with local, Norwegian and international blues musicians, spread across most of Longyearbyen's venues.

The festival is based on voluntary work, and the dedicated team of volunteers are invaluable for carrying out Svalbard’s biggest event. The economic goal is to break even, and any surplus is transferred to next year's festival.

Past performers

2010

Dark Season Blues 2010^{[1] [2] [3]}

• The Reba Russel Band
• Victor Wainwright
• Cadillac Kings
• Grainne Duffy
• Knut Reiersrud
• Rita Engedalen & Margit Bakken m/gjester Tuva Syvertsen, Susanne Hansen
• Dave Fields
• Noora Noor
• Ledfoot
• Linda gail Lewis
• Bill Sims Jr
• Westby Band
• Deadwood
• Longyearbyen Storband
• Blaamyra

2009

Dark Season Blues 2009^{[4] [5] [6]}

• Bobby Jones
• Jackie Payne & Steve Edmondson band
• Billy Gibson feat Dave Fields
• JT. Lauritsen & The Buckshot Hunters
• Kirk Fletcher band
• Hemisfair
• Tinal Lie
• Groovy Company
• Joakim Tinderholt Express
• Blaamyra

2008

Dark Season Blues 2008^{[7] [8] [9] [10]}

• Super Chikan
• Billy Gibson
• Sherman Robertson
• Greasy Gravy
• Bedrock Bluesband
• Monika Nordli m/band
• Rita Engedalen & Backbone
• Little Jenny & The Blue Beans
• Dr. Bekken
• Blackbirds
• Billy T Band
• Howlin’ Huskies
• Blaamyra Bluegrass

2007

Dark Season Blues 2007^{[11] [12]}

• The Mannish Boys
• Dr.Bekken
• Spoonful of Blues
• Orbo & the longshots
• Trond Ytterbø Band
• Little Jenny & The Blue Beans
• Billy T Band
• Little Victor
• Steinar Albrigtsen & Monika Nordli
• Howlin’Huskies

2006

Dark Season Blues 2006^[13]

• Sherman Robertson
• Sky High
• Vidar Busk
• Kåre Virud Band
• Buzz Brothers
• Rita Engedalen & Margit Bakken
• J.T. Lauritsen Band
• The buzzers
• Varpen

2005

Dark Season Blues 2005^[14]

• Paal Flaata
• Frode Alnæs
• Peer Gynt Band
• Reidar Larsen & The Storytellers
• Rita Engedalen & Backbone
• Mitch Kasmar
• Rick Holmstrom
• Arsen Shomakhov
• Peter Price
• Spoonful of Blues
• RC Finnigan & The Blue Flames
• Billy T Band

2004

Dark Season Blues 2004^[15]

• Amund Maarud
• Kid Andersen
• RC Finnigan
• Erik Bergene
• Noise Pollution
• Fingerprint
• Good Time Charlie
• Dark Season All Star band

2003

Dark Season Blues 2003^{[16] [17]}

• Knut Reiersrud
• JB and the Delta Jukes
• Allen’s Pit

References

1. ^ www.svalbardblues.com [1]
2. ^ bluesnews.no: Dark Season Blues 2010
3. ^ bluesnews.no: Dark Season Blues 2010 ENG
4. ^ www.svalbardblues.com [2]
5. ^ vg.no: Dark Season Blues 2009
6. ^ bluesnews.no: Dark Season Blues 2009
7. ^ www.svalbardblues.com [3]
8. ^ bluesnews.no: Dark Season Blues 2008
9. ^ norwegianbluesworld.com: Dark Season Blues 2008 NO
10. ^ norwegianbluesworld.com: Dark Season Blues 2008 ENG
11. ^ www.svalbardblues.com [4]
12. ^ bluesnews.no: Dark Season Blues 2007
13. ^ www.svalbardblues.com [5]
14. ^ www.svalbardblues.com [6]
15. ^ www.svalbardblues.com [7]
16. ^ www.svalbardblues.com [8]
17. ^ nrk.no: Dark Season Blues 2003

External links

• Homepage Dark Season Blues
• Facebook page