Lineup: Bob Corritore & John Primer Allstars, Mavis Staples, Walter Trout, JJ Grey, Little Feat, Sue Foley, Southern Avenue, Amythyst Kiah, Super Chikan, Keb Mo, DK Harrell, Alice Armstrong, Rag ‘n Bone Man, and many more.
The 37th edition of the Notodden Blues Festival in Norway exuded one thing: music straight from the heart.
From the intimate Bok & Blueshuset to the vibrant main stage, everywhere you heard sounds that transported you to the soul of the blues.
Besides the performances, the festival impressed me with its atmosphere: little things like free sunscreen on Friday for performances in the sun, festival staff handing out earplugs for those who wanted to be close to the stage, long tables in the square where locals and visitors ate and drank together, and the Blues Cruise through the fjord that showcased the beauty of the surroundings.
Rain and sun alternated, but nothing could spoil the mood.
Bob Corritore & John Primer Allstar Blues Band
One name couldn’t have escaped your notice this year: Bob Corritore & John Primer Allstar Blues Band. For four days, they graced stages across the city, as if they were the beating heart of the festival.
Bob Corritore assembled a band that blues lovers dream of: John Primer on guitar and vocals, Will “Primetime” Smith with his raw voice, the swinging keyboards of Anthony Geracci, the steady groove of drummer Wes Starr, and the unparalleled bass of Bob Stroger, who, at 94, still played as if time had forgotten him.
Their performances were steeped in the Chicago blues tradition: tight, warm, and with a sense of dynamism that only comes from playing at the highest level for decades.
On Wednesday, they performed after the young talents of Little Steven’s Music School, a magical moment where blues experience and youthful spirit collided.
You could see Stroger smiling at the youngsters and teaching them the essence of swing with subtle runs.
For many in attendance, this was the kind of musical encounter they’ll never forget.
On Thursday, the festival really got going after the usual speeches and awards ceremonies, with preview performances by Bob Corritore & John Primer Allstars, Sue Foley, Alice Armstrong, and others.
After that, DK Harrell captivated the audience with his combination of cheerful energy and sharp social commentary.
His fame preceded him—for many Norwegians I spoke to, he was the must-see of the festival. With his engaging smile and warm personality, he won everyone over.
The highlight was “PTLD,” a surprising mix of blues and disco, full of exuberance. During “What Real Man Do,” DK attacked Donald Trump, delivering this song with genuine anger, appealing to the world to treat each other better.
After this indictment, the switch was flipped again, as his audience needed to go home feeling good. A gospel closing song with “Praise the Blues” from his latest album had the audience singing and clapping in unison.
Next up was Jimmy Vaughan, who had expanded his band with the addition of The Texas Horns. These horns perfectly complemented Jimmy’s shrill, pointed guitar sound.
He delivered a steady stream of songs in a recognizable idiom, putting you in a musical flow.
He closed his set with a long, soulful rendition of “Six String Down,” interwoven with “Tin Pan Alley,” as an ode to his brother Stevie.
The evening concluded with Sivert Høyem, frontman of Madrugada, performing a mix of Norwegian and English songs.
With plenty of smoke and visuals, he created a mystical indie rock atmosphere that the Norwegian audience clearly appreciated.
On Friday, the sun was shining, and the main stage featured mainly rock and metal acts like Uriah Heep, Lita Ford, and the Norwegian band TNT. It was a perfect opportunity to explore the smaller stages.
There I found Sue Foley performing an acoustic set, where she made a deep impression with her masterful guitar playing and an ode to women in the blues. Walter Trout and Super Chikan would also do the same later in the day.
The local heroes of Spoonfull of Blues proved once again why they are fixtures at Notodden: energetic, tight, and featuring the harmonica playing of festival presenter Jostein Forsberg.
Also a surprise was TRYM, a young Norwegian singer-songwriter who counts Cornelis Vreeswijk as his inspiration and performed several of his songs.
By the end of the afternoon, the main stage was packed for Walter Trout, back at Notodden after six years. From the very first chords, he went full throttle with songs like “Sign of the Times” and “Courage in the Dark.”
During “Artificial Ride,” he earnestly warned about the dangers of AI in the music industry. The emotional high point came when he and his son Jon Trout engaged in an intense guitar duel on “We All in This Together.”
The audience felt that father-son bond and responded with a standing ovation. He closed with a fiery “Going Down,” which brought the house down.
Super Chikan: On the festival’s smallest stage (the Bellman), Super Chikan delivered one of the most intimate yet energetic sets of the weekend.
Before his performance, he laid a plaque on Notodden’s Blues Walk of Fame, an honor he visibly appreciated.
With his band The Fighting Cocks, fronted by the expressive pianist Laura “LaLa” Craig, he delivered songs brimming with character and humor.
His yodel-like intro to “Hookin’ Up” roused the crowd, and with “Shoot That Thing,” he completely rocked the Bellman. The combination of playfulness, interaction, and pure Mississippi blues made it unforgettable.
Saturday was a marathon of big names: Mavis Staples, JJ Grey & Mofro, Little Feat, and Rag ‘n Bone Man, closing the set. Earlier in the day, The Hellbillies surprised the crowd with their Norwegian-language folk rock; Even without understanding the language, you could feel the emotion in the songs the audience sang along to loudly.
Otto Junior, a young Norwegian guitarist who combines blues and progressive rock, also showed a promising sound.
Mavis Staples, the living legend, was a highlight. Her voice may have softened over the years, but her charisma and presence remained undiminished.
From the very first song, she captivated the audience, supported by guitarist Rick Holmstrom, whose playing flowed like a warm engine throughout the set. Her repertoire, steeped in soul, gospel, and blues, created a sense of community.
It was as if the entire tent became one voice.
JJ Grey & Mofro: Expectations for JJ Grey & Mofro were high, especially after the release of their album Olustee.
The start was promising, with a swinging Olustee, the captivating Top of the World, and a strong rendition of Seminole Wind. The harmonica intro immediately set the tone.
But halfway through, JJ Grey seemed to lose his grip on the audience; the tempo slowed, the flow disappeared, and slowly, some of the tent emptied.
Trumpeter Marcus Parsley, however, brought so much class and soul to the show that it was definitely worth listening to.
Little Feat brought craftsmanship, but didn’t quite hit the right note. Their familiar mix of jam rock and technically refined playing was musically tight, with long instrumental passages that confirmed their reputation as craftsmen.
But at a festival where many visitors came for the raw, danceable blues feel, their set didn’t connect as well. Some of the audience sought out the uptempo swing elsewhere on the stages.
Still, it was a pleasure for those who appreciated their subtle interplay.
After JJ Grey and Little Feat, my blues feeling had faded somewhat, but The Chicago Blues Summer Tour brought it right back.
This special formation, featuring guitarist Mike Wheeler, singer Peaches Stratten, keyboardist Jesse Lockridge, and harmonica player Russ Green, played with pure class.
Russ Green opened the set phenomenally, and when Peaches brought out her washboard, the whole thing turned into an exuberant party. Blues masters were at work here.
Didn’t see Southern Avenue, but was there. I was told it was a sparkling show; I really missed out.
Conclusion: Whether it was the grand moments on the main stage or the hidden gems on the side stages, Notodden showed that the blues in Norway isn’t just alive—it’s thriving.
With the Bob Corritore & John Primer Allstars as the backbone, Walter Trout as the emotional storm, Super Chikan as the charismatic entertainer, Mavis Staples as the wise grandmother of soul, JJ Grey and Little Feat as peaks of craftsmanship, and the Norwegian bands as proud standard-bearers, this was a festival that will live long in my memory.
