History

2009 - The birth of the festival

 

In 2009, the Trois-Rivières en Blues festival, a unique event in the Mauricie area, was revived. With the support of the city, the Corporation des Évènements de Trois-Rivières team and with the help of private sponsors, everything was set for a fresh start.

The first edition of the festival lasted three days. The performances took place on an outdoor stage on Badeaux Street, in the heart of downtown Trois-Rivières. In addition, 5 bars and restaurants presented intimate concerts.

During the second edition in 2010, a second scene was set up on Hart Street, with the purpose to present acoustic bands, something that had been requested by the public during the first edition. Also, several bars and restaurants were added to the program.

In 2011, three years later, the festival presented its shows on two main stages including corporate boxes, 15 participating restaurants and bars presented free concerts, a show was held during a cruise on the St. Lawrence, a new talent contest was born, indoor shows were added and entertainment took place on the entire Des Forges Street with activities for the whole family, some artisan stands, all over a period of 11 days.

The 2012 edition made the whole city vibrate to the sound of blues. In addition to everything that was already in place during the 2011 edition, 3 new bars and restaurants joined the event. Moreover, given the popularity of the blues cruise, whose seats sold out in just four weeks, the committee decided to add a second one. The festival organization gave the opportunity to amateur bands, and this without age restriction, to present themselves during a contest which gave the chance to the winner to perform on the main stage of the festival 2012 edition.

The year 2013 took place over a 4-day program, with many beautiful discoveries including Jonathan Boogie Long, Popa Chubby and Anna Popovic! The quality of the program brings to the festival a great credibility with the public and the blues world. Artists from Quebec, Canada, United States and Europe are part of the program. The artist recruitment team, including the festival's president, Mr. Christian Gamache, who has been part of blues bands for the last twenty years, associated with various producers, mainly Zeb Production, specializing in the production of blues shows with artists from across North America and Europe, are taking care of the program. In addition, members of the organization attend the international blues competition in Memphis where more than 200 bands perform annually to connect with organizations from around the world. Already, musicians who won this competition were part of the Trois-Rivières en Blues 2011 edition.

The 2014 edition is the second one to take place for 4 days, and the last edition before the introduction of a portion of the festival at the Cogeco Amphitheatre. Steve Strongman, Roonie Baker Brooks, Rick L. Blues and many others took part in this latest 100% downtown edition, before the partial relocation of the festival to the brand new amphitheatre.

 

2015 – A new international stage : the Cogeco Amphitheatre

 

In 2015, Trois-Rivières en Blues hit big with the presence of the very popular band ZZ Top. Other renowned artists such as Edgard Winter, Jack de Keyser and John Németh also performed at the Cogeco Amphitheatre and also contributed to the great success of this 7th edition. In addition, the arrival of the event at the amphitheatre has raised the profile of the festival thanks to the quality of its state-of-the-art facilities and its majestic site at the confluence of the St. Maurice River and the St. Lawrence River. Even with the new Cogeco Amphitheatre site, the festival did not leave the downtown area and its free program aside. Indeed, the scene on Badeaux Street received 4 famous artists, including the talented Jack de Kayser. Other free shows also took place in several restaurants and bars of downtown. In short, 2015 was a pivotal year for Trois-Rivières en Blues, which continued to make itself known to blues fans by giving them an exceptional global experience.

The festival surfed its wave in 2016 by putting forward a program that greatly delighted festival goers. John Kay & Steppenwolf, Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band and Collin James were the headliners of this 8th edition. An edition at the height of expectations that will set the table for the sensational year ahead.

The 2017 edition of Trois-Rivières en Blues was the busiest of all thanks to a high-calibre program. The presence of Styx as the opening act of this 9th edition has set the bar high and proved, beyond a doubt, that the Cogeco Amphitheatre is the perfect place to present Trois-Rivières en Blues international shows. Walter Trout and Jonny Lang performances, among others, have also resulted in a successful edition. With four days of festivities and diversified programs, whether accessible by buying a passport for the amphitheatre or free of charge for the downtown scene and in various participating bars and restaurants, visitors enjoyed a blues immersion.

 

2018 - A grandiose 10th anniversary!

 

In addition to the free program offered downtown, blues fans have met at the Cogeco Amphitheatre where an impressive line of artists walked the stage on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Let's note, among others, the performances of George Thorogood And The Destroyers, Randy Bachman and Buddy Guy headlining. A winning and memorable birthday edition all the way!