For most of us, the holiday period is a thing of the past. But don't let it get you down, to cheer you up we present you with another overview of the upcoming festivals. We Belgian are a privileged people with all those festivals being organised. Not that in the Netherlands no events are planned, but Belgium remains in the lead where blues festivals are concerned.

Saturday 6 September - Pajotblues Festival (Baljuwhuis) - Galmaarden, BE

We start the line upwith the Pajotblues Festival in Galmaarden. This is the 11th edition in the Baljuwhuis and like the previous editions they have succeeded in creating a good line up. Same for this year although the scale is a little smaller than before with 4 bands performing. The following bands will be present: Scent Of A Woman (BE), Funkbooster & The Bluesateers (BE), Karen Caroll (USA) and as closing act Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers (USA).

Saturday 6 September - Jubileum Bluesrock Festival - Tegelen (De Doolhof), NL

The 25th anniversary edition of the annual Tegelen Bluesrock Festival has a remarkable line up. Next to blues great and headliner Walter Trout the internationally renowned Irish blues-rock guitarist Eamonn Mc Cormack (alias Samuel Eddie), the Canadian Southern rockband White Cowbell Oklahoma and British Scott Mckeon are booked. The anniversary festival features three wonderful Dutch blues bands: Big Blind, The Rhythm Chiefs and Stichting Popmuziek Limburg's contribution, this year the band Bugaboo Tang. This festival is one of the oldest and best known blues festivals in the Netherlands.

Saturday 13 September - 7éme Nuit De Blues - Montignies sur Roc (L'abbaye des Rocs), BE

In the Wallon Montignies sur Roc they have reached the 7th edition of La Nuit De Blues. There is a lot to enjoy here. The festival starts around 16.00 and the following bands will play: Boogie Woogie Jumpers, Chico and the Mojo, Rusty Roots, Howlin' Bill and Stinky Lou and the Goon Mat. There is a free camping available.

Saturday 13 September - Classic Rock & Blues Festival - Harelbeke (CC het Spoor), BE

Rumour had it that Live Music would not organise its annual festival this year. None of that, the festival will be held on Saturday the 13th of September 2008, but not on the Lano terrains as usual. After 10 years the organisers were ready for a change and took up the challenge of organising an indoor festival. Location will be CC “het Spoor” at Harelbeke. The festival itself will take place in the large hall, but the organisers make sure that a cosy atmosphere is created: a large terrace with benches, tables a few food stands, a cd stand, etc. Rock and Blues with the following bands: Tantrum (UK), The Brew (UK), Machiavel (BE), Slade (UK) and Glenn Hughes (UK).

Saturday 13 September – Roots & Blues 2008 – Brasschaat (scoutslokalen), BE

Also in the scoutslokalen of Brasschaat people like blues and roots music. To pay tribute to this musical love affair they ahve invited the following bands: Deep Sea Drivers, The Belbouchos, Fried Bourbon and The Mighty Bluetones. Only Belgian bands but this should not be an obstacle for success.

Saturday 13 September – Fete La Dil – Handzame (O.C. Hansam), BE

In O.C Hansam (that we know from the Delirium Bluesfestival) a special is organised called: “Fete La Dil”. What this means exactly is unclear. What we do know is that the programme is as follows: the shine on "Pink Floyd" trib. band, Preuteleute, Jive For Your Life en Enjoy RockaBilly. In zaal Hansam from 19.00h.

Friday 19 September - Rock Rhythm & Blues – Dadizele (kleine plaats), BE

Als in West Flanders, but then in Dadizele a new edition of Rock Rhythm & blues is organised. Who will be performing? Blow (BE), Miss Ann & Risky Blues Deluxe and special guest Jimmy Moliere (BE/US) and to close off blues rock from the Netherlands with Rob Orlemans & Half Past Midnight. All of this will take place on the kleine plaats in Dadizele and doors will open around 18.30h. Organisers are Full Bottle, a club that was started in January 2007.

Saturday 20 September - Binkom Bluesfestival (zaal Santro)- Binkom, BE

The Belbouchos (BE), Sir Oliver Mally's Blues Distillery (A), The Mississippi Mudsharks (US), and Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat (US) that's what you can expect on the fifth edition of the Binkom Bluesfestival. As always location will be zaal Santro in Binkom (Lubbeek). A free camping is planned on the Chiro terrain about 100 m from the festival. On the festival several snack opportunities will be available at democratic rates.

Saturday 20 September - Louisiana Night – Opwijk (Community park), BE

In Belgian Opwijk on Saturday 20 September the 5th Cajun & Zydeco Festival, called: “Louisiana Night” will be organised. Bands appearing: Big Bayou Bandits (BE), Des Fait Do-Do (NL) and to round off King Cake (NL). This party is in the community park in the centre of Opwijk.

Saturday 27 September - Lettens Rock & Blues Special – (zaal Germinal) Koekelare, BE

In the run up to the upcoming festival (on 4th October) West Flanders Koekelare will feature a Rock & Blues special. Three Belgian bands: Blow, Solid Jive and the ever sympathetic Rude Roots provide a promising line up. Location: zaal Germinal.

Please do bear in mind that we don't receive all of the information by far. Bobtjes Blues Pages can not be held responsible for faults or misprints in the programmation and/or the cancellations of gigs. For a full list of all upcoming concerts and festivals in BE and NL, surf to: http://bluesagenda.web-log.nl or: http://www.blueskalender.nl or: http://www.bluesforum.be/forum/calendar.php or: http://www.bluesconcert.org/benelux

Translation by: Jean-Paul Harreman