ARBA Memphis Blues Challenge 

The aim of the ARBA Memphis Blues Challenge is to provide the means for acts to compete for the opportunity to represent ARBA, South Australia and Australia in Memphis Tennessee, at the annual International Blues Challenge (IBC).
Since the inaugural challenge in 2015, this annual event has captured the imagination and attention of blues lovers in Adelaide and beyond. Capacity crowds are the norm at both the heats and final, ensuring an electric atmosphere as the acts strive for the opportunity to compete at the IBC in Memphis. 
The enormous public support helps generate enough income to pay for the travel and accommodation expenses of the band and solo/duo act that represent ARBA and South Australia at the IBC each year.
The Memphis Blues Challenge helps raise the profile of the local blues scene and provides the opportunity for a money-can't-buy experience at the IBC for local acts.

Memphis Blues Challenge info and rules

ARBA Representatives at the International Blues Challenge (Memphis)

Since 2016, ARBA has sent bands and solo/duo acts to 5 consecutive International Blues Challenges. Our acts have made many friends and fans amongst the huge crowds that attend every year. Best placings so far have been: 2016 The Associates and 2019 Ben Ford-Davies, both acts made the Semi-Finals in their respective years.
It is worth noting too that ARBA representatives have twice made the final 5 in the Blues Foundation Best Self-Produced CD Competition (announced at the IBC); 2018 Kings and Associates and 2019 The Streamliners.  
In addition to playing in the challenge, our acts have made the most of the many opportunities; networking, jamming, media interviews, exploring Memphis and other parts of the USA, two of our acts have also recorded albums whilst in the USA for the IBC.

International Blues Challenge Information