For decades, Blue Monday at Rockhouse Salzburg has been a fixture for blues in Austria — a long-grown centre of a scene whose lines reach back to the beginnings of popular music. Over the years, the series has developed into one of the most reliable and renowned forums for blues in all its forms in Europe.

That nationally and internationally recognised musicians perform here in the intimate setting of the bar is no coincidence. The format’s focus — close to the audience, close to the sound — creates an atmosphere that strips the blues back to its essence. Big names like Taj Mahal, T-Model Ford, John Lee Hooker Jr., Zakiya Hooker, Luther Allison and Joe Bonamassa have played here, as have defining voices such as Hans Theessink and Peter Green, while acts like G. Love & Special Sauce and the Climax Blues Band have also visited the Rockhouse.

“The Blues is the mother of American music. That's what it is – the source.” - B.B. King

The blues presented in this setting is no genre cliché, but a wide-ranging field. Between Delta traditions, electrically charged Chicago sound, contemporary blues-rock and acoustic solo sets, historical layers open up, giving the series a particular depth. The programme makes this complexity tangible: from veterans like Big Joe Turner and Miller Anderson to modern voices like Samantha Fish and Henrik Freischlader, and blues-rock heavyweights like Walter Trout and Popa Chubby.

What sets this series apart is not just the sheer number of artists who appear, but its structural consistency: Blue Monday operates as a hub for a genre that has shaped the DNA of modern music. From Elvis Presley to The Beatles, from Led Zeppelin to contemporary garage and alternative acts — traces and offshoots of the blues can be found everywhere. The series reflects this development not in the abstract, but through living practice.

That is why the intimate setting remains central. While individual nights sometimes move to the main hall, the strength of the format lies in focused listening, in the immediate presence of voice, guitar and storytelling.

Blue Monday is therefore less a weekly concert series than a musical memory: a place where the history of the blues is carried forward, updated and made audible in all its breadth. An institution that shows that continuity does not mean tradition, but responsibility — toward a genre that has formed the foundation of modern music culture for more than a hundred years.

The Blue Monday Card is valid for one year from the date of issue and includes admission to ten Monday concerts in the Rockhouse Bar. In addition, card holders receive a second discounted ticket per visit, which can be used flexibly for a companion.

Price:

• €149 for Rockhouse Members

• €169 regular

The Blue Monday Card is available at the Rockhouse Service Center, at the box office and in the online shop. Just look for the Blue Monday Card logo in the respective event listings.