NARCAO BLUES
From Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 July in Narcao (South Sardinia), the 35th edition of the Narcao Blues Festival takes place: featuring Jimmie Vaughan, Walter Trout, Ana Popovic, Jon Cleary, Eric Steckel, Honey Island Swamp Band, Blues Fields and Don Leone as the main acts on the stage in Piazza Europa.
Press release – 18 July 2025
One of the most enduring and recognisable events in Sardinia's summer music season, and a fixed date for blues lovers: the Narcao Blues Festival is about to celebrate its 35th edition, scheduled from Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 July on its historic stage in Piazza Europa, in the heart of Narcao, South Sardinia.
Founded in 1989 by the cultural association Progetto Evoluzione—still the organiser today—the festival has grown while retaining strong ties to its home territory. Local roots in Sulcis with an international outlook, Narcao Blues has welcomed some of the greatest interpreters of the “devil’s music”: from Popa Chubby to John Mayall, James Cotton to Billy Gibbons, Peter Green to Jason Ricci. It’s a passionate musical, cultural and communal journey.
This year’s edition continues its international breadth with a high-quality lineup: from the USA come Jimmie Vaughan, Walter Trout, Eric Steckel, Honey Island Swamp Band and Jon Cleary; Serbian-born but USA‑based, the charismatic Ana Popovic; and from northeast Europe, the Blues Fields—a band comprised of musicians from Lithuania and Poland. Sardinia is represented by Don Leone, the duo of Matteo Leone and Donato Cherchi, appearing in an expanded line‑up.
Each night will include two concerts, starting at 9:30 pm, followed by the traditional after-festival sessions, once again held in Piazza Europa. A trusted formula combining artistic consistency with top-tier performances.
The festival is supported by Italy’s Ministry of Culture, Sardinia’s Departments for Public Education, Sport & Performance, and Tourism, the Foundation of Sardinia, and sponsored by the Municipality of Narcao. Narcao Blues is part of the Italian Blues Union and also linked to the European Blues Union network.
The festival officially opens at 9:30 pm with Blues Fields, formed last year by seasoned musicians from Lithuania and Poland. Led by vocalist/guitarist/harmonica player Aleksandr Belkin and guitarist Bogdan Topolski, with Olegas Sochinas (guitar), Sergejus Sopelevas-Vysocki (bass) and Vitalijus Katyšovas (drums), the band blends traditional blues with electric energy. Immediately following at 11 pm: Ana Popovic returns to Narcao with her powerful guitar-driven performance. Serbian-born and globally recognised, Popovic fuses electric funk, slide guitar, jazz, and soul. She famously appeared as the only female guitarist on the Experience Hendrix Tour and remains a major figure in international blues. Her backing band includes Claudio Giovagnoli and Davide Ghidoni (brass), Michele Papadia (Hammond/keys), Buthel Burns (bass) and Jeremy Thomas (drums).
At 9:30 pm, Eric Steckel, once a child prodigy of blues-rock and now a mature artist, takes the stage. Born in 1990, he recorded his first live album at 11 and by 12 was touring with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. With a gritty, powerful sound, he blends classic blues with contemporary rock in albums like Havana, Black Gold, and Polyphonic Prayer. Supporting musicians on bass and drums will join him on stage.
At 11 pm, blues icon Jimmie Vaughan, founding member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and brother of Stevie Ray Vaughan, will perform with his Tilt-A-Whirl band—featuring saxophonists Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff and John Mills, rhythm guitarist William Pitman, bassist Chris Conley, and drummer Ralph Vega. A Grammy-winning emblem of authentic Texas blues, Vaughan delivers a timeless, charismatic performance.
At 9:30 pm Don Leone return, now expanded into a quintet: Matteo Leone (guitar), Donato Cherchi (vocals), Marta Loddo (synth), Gianluca LoPiccolo (bass) and Alessandro Cau (drums). Winners of the 2017 Italian Blues Challenge, they blend deep blues roots with a contemporary, layered style in an immersive set.
At 11 pm Walter Trout, a veteran of global blues with a solo career since 1989—having played with Canned Heat and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers—returns with a potent blend of technique, emotion, and musical storytelling. His forthcoming album Sign Of The Times, due on 5 September, promises to extend his legendary path. Joining him are his son Jon Trout (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Roland Bakker (Hammond/keys), John Avila (bass, backing vocals) and Michael Leasure (drums).
The evening begins with the Honey Island Swamp Band, formed in San Francisco post-Katrina with deep New Orleans influences. Their "Bayou Americana" style interweaves blues, soul, rock, country, and funk. Led by Aaron Wilkinson (guitar, vocals), with Chris Spies (Hammond/keys), Lee Yankie (slide guitar, vocals), Sam Price (electric bass, vocals) and Garland Paul (drums, vocals), they will turn Piazza Europa into a swamp groove party.
Finally, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen Quartet—London-born but New Orleans-based—will close the festival. A Grammy winner and major interpreter of Crescent City funk and R&B, he has collaborated with Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal and more. Backed by Cornell Williams (bass, backing vocals), Thomas Glass (drums) and Pedro Segundo (percussion), his set will be a bold conclusion to four days of roots, rhythms, and pure emotion.
Each night concludes with an after-show session in Piazza Europa: jam sets, surprises and warm vibes. Wednesday 23 welcomes Sardinian veterans Williboy Taxi and Vittorio Pitzalis in intimate acoustic style; Thursday 24 features the raw energy of De Luca Blues Band; Friday 25 spotlights soul singer Vince Melchiorre; Saturday 26 closes with a Don Leone duo delivering island-based blues intensity.
Single-night tickets are €18.45 (+€1.20 booking fee); full-festival passes are €43.40 (+€2.82). Sales are available via clappit.com and narcaoblues.com/tickets. For queries, contact infoblues@narcaoblues.it or call +39 0781 875071.
Narcao Blues was founded in 1989 by Progetto Evoluzione, a cultural association born a year earlier to foster social and cultural development in Sulcis, with a focus on youth. Over the years, parallel projects have emerged—South In Blues, Gospel Explosion (now in its 22nd edition), school seminars and conferences—all demonstrating the association’s growth despite challenges. As a founding member of the Italian Blues Union and a part of the 26-country-strong European Blues Union, the association’s work continues to expand and inspire.
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INFO Organization: Associazione culturale Progetto Evoluzione
via Carbonia, 11 – 09010 NARCAO (CI)
tel/fax: 0781 87 50 71 • e-mail: infoblues@narcaoblues.it
www.narcaoblues.it
www.facebook.com/narcao.blues
www.twitter.com/narcao_blues
Ufficio stampa:
Riccardo Sgualdini • cell.: 347 83 29 583 • e-mail: tagomago.1@gmail.com
Simone Cavagnino • cell.: 340 39 51 527 • e-mail: s.cavagnino@gmail.com
