Annual MBAS Blues Challenge

"Blues Performer of The Year" Solo/Duo & Band Categories

TWO CATEGORY WINNERS – SOLO/DUO & BAND – TO GO TO MEMPHIS IN 2027!

The MBAS Blues Challenge is BACK for 2026! The Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society will be hosting its annual "MBAS Blues Challenge" in Melbourne in July, August and September, to find the best possible Victorian Blues BAND and Blues SOLO/DUO artists to represent the MBAS and Melbourne at the annual International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis TN, USA. Two MBAS Blues Challenge winners (SOLO/DUO and BAND categories) will be sent to represent Melbourne and the MBAS at the next IBC in Memphis in January 2027 (Dates TBC).

The prize for the Melbourne Blues Challenge winners includes MBAS-funded ACCOMMODATION and RETURN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS to the value of $5,000 PER MUSICIAN for the two top-scoring acts to travel and represent each competition category at the IBC in Memphis. The IBC draws representative entries from Blues Societies all over the world and throughout the USA.

MBAS Blues Challenge is open to any SOLO/DUO or BAND Blues act meeting the eligibility criteria below:

• All members of the Blues act must be 18 years old or over.
• All members of the Blues act must be a permanent resident of Victoria.
• All members of the Blues act must be or become financial members of the MBAS with the completion of the Entry Form.
• If the Blues act wins the MBAS Blues Challenge, all the members of the act must all remain financial members up to and after the IBC date (January 2027).
• A previous winning Blues act of the MBAS Blues Challenge may re-enter.

To determine who goes to Memphis to compete at the IBC, Victorian Blues entrants for both SOLO/DUO and BAND categories at the MBAS Blues Challenge compete live in Melbourne in separate Heats to determine a Final lineup. The Heats and Final are scored by independent judges, using the international scoring system devised by the IBC. The highest scoring Blues artist in each SOLO/DUO and BAND category Final are referred to as the "MBAS SOLO/DUO Blues Performer of the Year" and the "MBAS BAND Blues Performer of the Year". Both those top-scoring winning acts from the Final are sent to Memphis by the MBAS to represent and compete at the IBC.

BOTH WINNING MBAS BLUES CHALLENGE ACTS will receive $5,000 PER MUSICIAN towards the cost of their return international airfares and accommodation to travel to Memphis USA and compete at the IBC, held in January 2027.

TOTAL PRIZE VALUE for Winners in each Category:

• SOLO/DUO Winner: Up to 2 x musicians in the act will be funded for return Memphis USA airfares & accommodation, for the duration of the IBC in Memphis.
  Total min prize: $5,000 (SOLO act) or $10,000 (DUO act). PLUS $600 cash prize (from sponsor Hume Blues Club)

• BAND Winner: 3 x musicians in the act will be funded for return Memphis USA airfares & accommodation, for the duration of the IBC in Memphis.
  Total min prize: $15,000. PLUS $600 cash prize (from sponsor Elwood Blues Club) & $1,500 radio campaign package (from sponsor PBS FM)

NOTE: The MBAS will only fund travel and accom costs for more than 3 BAND musicians at its discretion.

The MBAS also assists both the SOLO/DUO and BAND winning acts by hosting a separate fundraiser, prior to attending the IBC in January, to help cover extra travel costs.

Entry for the 2026 MBAS Blues Challenge is now open for both SOLO/DUO and BAND categories.

NOTE the following MBAS BLUES CHALLENGE performance dates for each category:

• SOLO/DUO HEATS: Tuesday 14th & Wednesday 15th JULY 7pm
• BAND HEATS: Tuesday 11th & Wednesday 12th AUGUST 7pm
• FINAL (combined Solo/Duo & Band): Sunday 13th SEPTEMBER 4pm

Performances for each act are strictly a 20 minute set for the Heats, and a 25 minute set for the Final.

ENTRY DEADLINE for both SOLO/DUO and BAND applicants must be received by EMAIL – Midnight Tuesday 30th June 2026.

The '2026 MBAS Blues Challenge' eligibility, Rules/Conditions and Entry Forms can be viewed and printed from the PDF downloads below. NOTE: All submitted entries accepted by EMAIL ONLY, directly to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. – no later than the due deadline. Please ensure ALL information requested is completed and submitted. See forms for CHECKLIST of items required to be submitted.

2026 MBAS BLUES CHALLENGE ENTRY RULES & CONDITIONS

2026 SOLO/DUO ENTRY FORM

2026 BAND ENTRY FORM

The MBAS is proud to be recognised as the most successful international Blues Society represented at the prestigious IBC event in Memphis, having produced several winners and runners-up at this international Blues competition over the years:

2026 - IBC GRAND FINALIST (Band Division): CAM WALTER BLUES
2025 - IBC AWARD WINNER (Best Guitarist Award): NICK CHARLES
2025 - IBC GRAND FINALIST (Solo/Duo Division): NICK CHARLES
2025 - IBC GRAND FINALIST (Band Division): NARDIA
2020 - IBC GRAND FINALIST (Solo/Duo Division): AARON POLLOCK
2005 - IBC AWARD WINNER (Best Album): COLLARD GREENS & GRAVY
2005 - IBC GRAND FINAL WINNER (Solo/Duo Division: JIMI HOCKING
2003 - IBC GRAND FINAL WINNER (Solo/Duo Division): FIONA BOYES
2002 - IBC GRAND FINAL Runner-Up (Solo/Duo Division): ANDY COWAN
2001 - IBC GRAND FINAL Runner-Up: COLLARD GREENS & GRAVY
1995 - IBC AWARD WINNER (Albert King Guitarist Award): GEOFF ACHISON

MBAS Blues Challenge Winners representing at the IBC in Memphis: