International Blues Challenge

IBC will be held January 13-17, 2026, on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee!

The International Blues Challenge represents the worldwide search for blues bands and solo/duo blues performers ready for the international stage, yet just needing that extra big break. The world’s largest gathering of blues musicians will take place on Beale Street, with over 20 clubs hosting the challengers and fans. In addition to featuring these final rounds of the prestigious blues music competition, the IBC event week will offer seminars, showcases, master classes, film screenings, networking events, book signings, and receptions for blues societies, fans, and professionals.

https://blues.org/international-blues-challenge/

IMPORTANT!   To participate in the International Blues Challenge, you must enter & win the Local Regional Challenge first on September 21, 2025 at Hop Life Brewing.  To enter the Local Regional Challenge, fill in this application.   *Registration for ‘Regional’ is limited to a ‘FIRST COME FIRST SERVED basis, as there is only a limited time-slot available. Bands and Solo/Duo musician(s) will be selected to compete.  Youth musician(s) will be selected to perform during the Youth Showcase but will not compete.  A challenger must never have received a Blues Music Award nomination, and a band or solo/duo may not participate in the IBC in three consecutive years.

   LOCAL REGIONAL CHALLENGE APPLICATION.

You MUST ALSO be an Individual or Band Member of the Treasure Coast Blues Society for entry. Join Today

The TCBS REGIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE is the event of the year and will be taking place at Hop Life Brewery in St Lucie West, Sunday September 21, 2025, starting at 2pm’.  All musicians are invited. Two categories involved with this year’s IBC, Singles/duos challenge, and Band challenge (groups consisting of three or more members).  Winning nominees earn a financially supported trip to Memphis to compete in the 2026 IBC in January 2026.   So get your registrations in for a chance to compete in Memphis Tennessee for the IBC in January! 
 
Registering and Rules are extremely important. So don’t hesitate and check out these important links for details below.
 
And for Blues fans and friend’s… come-on out on September 29, 2024 at Hop Life Brewery to show your support for your local blues scene and enjoy the competition at this event!
Great Music!!  Great Food!!  At Hop Life Brewery!
 

__ABOUT THE 2025 ‘REGIONAL’ BLUES CHALLENGE__

Congratulations to the WINNERS and ALL the musicians that performed at the Internation Blues Challenge Playoffs on Sept 21, 2025 at Hop Life Brewery.
We had some of the BEST and TALENTED musicians compete, and the crowd Loved It!

The Winners of the IBC Playoff Challenge are:

 Band: Apostoli Floyd

Solo Artist: Mike Faurot

Winning the Regional Challenge, gives them the honor of traveling to Memphis in January to compete in the ‘International Blues Challenge.

The Treasure Coast Blues Society is proud to financially sponsor these great musicians heading to Memphis and represent the Treasure Coast.

We will be holding a few Fundraisers over the next few months to raise funds for their travels.  Please try to attend some of these fundraisers and help support the winners.  Room, board, and travel is very expensive, especially for an entire band.

The other GREAT musicians that competed are:

Denny Artache, The Blooze Dawgs, and Jimmy Sinatra.

A Big Thank You to the Judges from 2025 Challenge;
Sue Rivard, Marc Boland, Vern Melvin, Roger Walker, and Tina Livio.

And to all Attendees, TCBS Members & Volunteers who helped make this event happen each year…
Thank You for Supporting The Blues!