Blues Station

The blues at the heart of Lot-et-Garonne since 1997

Founded in 1997 by Christian Boncour and the association Aventure Blues Complice (ABC), Blues Station is a blues institution in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. For nearly thirty years, this regular series of concerts has made the small village of Tournon-d'Agenais, classified among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, vibrate to the rhythm of blues in all its forms: Chicago blues, Delta blues, rhythm and blues, soul, gospel, and rock.

An exceptional venue: L'Abescat

The concerts take place in the Abescat hall, a magnificent former chapel located in the upper town of Tournon-d'Agenais. Transformed into a true blues club by the association's volunteers, this venue offers remarkable acoustics and a unique intimate atmosphere. The singular ambiance of the place is quickly felt before becoming electric with the sound of live music, with musicians sharing their passion over a beer and chili con carne.

World-renowned artists

Since its creation, Blues Station has hosted the best European and American blues artists. Among the prestigious names that have performed in this Lot-et-Garonne chapel are Magic Slim, Vance Kelly, John Primer, Roscoe Chenier, Selwyn Birchwood, Dawn Tyler Watson, Chris O'Leary, Whitney Shay, Carlos Elliot, and many others. The programming mixes international headliners and opening acts by promising French bands.

Over 150 editions

With over 150 numbered editions, Blues Station demonstrates exceptional longevity for an associative program in a rural area. Each concert is a numbered event, usually held on Saturday evenings, with doors opening at 7 PM and concerts starting in the evening. The season runs from October to April, with five to six concerts per year.

The Blues Camp: Workshops and Musical Encounters

In addition to the concerts, the ABC association organizes a Blues Camp each year, a week-long blues music workshop that brings together amateur musicians and international professional artists. This workshop, led by an American resident band and French and European musicians, concludes with a closing concert at the Abescat hall, where the participants perform as the opening act for the instructors.

A village, a passion

Tournon-d'Agenais, a village of 800 inhabitants perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Lot valley, has become, thanks to Blues Station, a pilgrimage site for blues lovers from the southwest of France and beyond. The commitment of Christian Boncour and his team of volunteers has created a strong transatlantic link between this corner of Lot-et-Garonne and the American blues scene, making this small bastide an essential meeting point for the European blues community.