The City Council of San Vicente del Raspeig is moving forward with the next phase of its cultural program, An Evening of Real Blues, slated to begin with a kickoff concert on November 3. The event will feature the celebrated producer and vocalist Paul Lamb, signaling a high-caliber entry into the community’s evolving blues initiatives.
During the project presentation, Cultural Council Member Óscar Lillo and producer Testi Tajada outlined a strategy to elevate San Vicente del Raspeig as a premier blues venue in the region. The plan envisions a concert series of four premier performances beginning this year and continuing into 2024, reinforcing the town’s standing within Alicante and the broader Valencian Community.
Tajada spoke about the program’s potential to become a cultural beacon, offering more than just entertainment. The cycle aims to honor the roots of blues while making the music accessible and engaging for residents and visitors alike.
Headlining the kickoff on November 3 will be Paul Lamb and Chad Strentz. Lamb, a veteran of the English blues scene, will fill the Municipal Auditorium with compelling rhythms, delivering a performance grounded in his distinctive voice and expressive harmonica. Since starting his career in the 1970s, Lamb has earned recognition as a leading figure in blues, contributing as a vocalist, harmonica player, composer, bandleader, and recording artist with cross-generational appeal.
An Evening of Real Blues will continue on February 3, 2024 with a concert titled Alone with the Blues, featuring Keith Bunn. The second recital is scheduled for May 24 under the direction of Christian Rannenberg. The series will culminate on November 9 with Trudy Lynn and the Texas Blues Band, showcasing the breadth of blues from intimate acoustic settings to electrified performances that energize the room.
Free entry by invitation
The Cultural Council member noted that access to all concerts will be by invitation. Invitations will be distributed starting next Tuesday through the Ministry of Culture, and inquiries can be directed through the city’s official channels. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the Municipal Auditorium box office on the day of each show, subject to capacity. This approach ensures broad participation while maintaining a controlled, high-quality experience for attendees.
Óscar Lillo expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the Tradesmen Union and explained that the proposal represents another milestone in expanding the cultural calendar. The aim is to diversify the repertoire by adding new musical genres that captivate both fans and the general public, enlarging the range of events offered to residents and visitors alike.
The program An Evening of Real Blues is organized into two major blocks. An intimate, acoustic section will appeal to listeners roughly up to forty to fifty years old, while another segment will explore the evolution of blues from its historical beginnings to contemporary forms. The city will map the journey of blues, tracing its roots to the Mississippi Delta at the end of the nineteenth century and following its trajectory to the present day, giving audiences in San Vicente the chance to witness the genre’s growth and continued relevance in modern music.