The 2026 Brezoi Open Air Blues Festival was beyond brilliant! Indeed Romania should be so proud of this world class music event which is Romania’s centrepiece jewel in its Blues crown. The sun shone in the beautiful green rural Summer alpine like landscape. The campsite was well organised with food, drink, showers and crucially the merch to purchase after the artists’ sets. The crowd came from all over the globe, such as Australia, Malta, Portugal, Greece, USA, Denmark, Germany, Norway, France, Bulgaria, Romania, Ireland and the UK, all socialising across the international borders and lapping up the Blues love. Indeed, special friendships formed over the commonality of listening, seeing and experiencing this stellar international lineup, duly bonding over the Blues and Blues Rock chords.

The line-up was extraordinary. There was an artist and band for everyone. From the magic of the Forest Stage, where in a magical, wooded, enchanted setting, acoustic Blues was played to an adoring audience. The mood of the festival was also friendly for singles, couples and families alike. Whether standing up front, on chairs or seated on the benches beyond the sound desks, the sound was perfect and crisp, complemented by the stunning visual backdrop, streamed onto the two big screens, providing an amazing sound and light show. Indeed, another plus was the intimacy of the open air experience, in a space where you could still see and reach the front as well as not feeling too far away at the back. Amusingly, international musical artist, broadcaster, presenter and dynamo Kaz Hawkins also produced giveaway cards saying "You are awesome!" Well Kaz, you along with festival founder and organiser, Mihai Razvan Mugescu, are both truly awesome, as this was an awesome festival!

There was also a truly multigenerational crowd, comprising grandparents and parents, passing their Blues baton love down the line to both their families and friends. Whilst my sub community were my fellow photographers, media professionals, Dave on security, the stage technicians, as well as the artists themselves! I was also able to chat easily with fellow international Blues travellers. Also my special UK Blues travelling friends who were there. I salute you for your Blues festival taste! Also for me the sense of pride in following the UK acts when they came on the large stage. This is a festival where you can camp on or off site, and can go to and feel comfortable, whatever your personal circumstances. The Romanians are also super friendly and hospitable.Wherever you hail from geographically you felt like it is was a second home from home for six continuous days of outstanding music and special communal atmosphere.

For me as a seasoned gig goer, I knew that I was going to be treated to hearing London January Blues Festival headliners from the past two years calendar. And some. Indeed, Brezoi was the Blues festival which just kept on giving in terms of global talent. Each day there was an incredible lineup, carefully chosen to satisfy everyone, from the Roots lovers watching on the Forest Stage, to the smooth US Blues Soul lovers, as well as the out and out Rock lovers. I cannot recommend this festival highly enough. Europe’s Premier Extended Blues Festival so delivered on its Blues range. No wonder these artists clamour to play there again and again, as did the audience during the day and night, drinking in the open air musical magic, with the weather being fine for most of the week too!

So where do I start with the incredible lineup and highlights from Day 1? Tuesday’s schedule began with Peter Kern’s beautiful acoustic set on the Forest Stage, while the enegetic Sakis Dovolis Trio opened on the Main Stage. The vibrant US award winning multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Vanessa Collier, then so delivered on the Main Stage with her wonderful, soulful sax solos, as well as on guitar, followed by the UK’s finest, The Cinelli Brothers, delighting the crowd, as I felt so proud to be there. The Danielle Nicole Band also thrilled, before headliner and teenage Australian guitar sensation, Taj Farrant, who was astonishing.

Review and photos: Denise Lester