The Whisky Flowers have won the 2026 UK Blues Challenge, earning the opportunity to represent the UK at both the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and the European Blues Challenge in Portugal.
The competition took place on Saturday 26 September in front of a sold-out audience, with five acts competing for the title: Bison Hip, Hollie Rogers, Lightning Threads, The Whisky Flowers and Will Wilde. All five delivered closely fought performances, with the final results proving to be the tightest in the competition’s history.
Only three points separated the top four acts when the judges’ scores were finally added together, but it was The Whisky Flowers who emerged as this year’s winners.
Five acts, five judging categories
Each performer was scored out of ten across five categories: stage presence, blues content, originality, vocal talent and instrumental talent.
The judging panel included Stephen Harrison representing Blues Matters, Nick Johns from Blues In Britain, Stephen Steinhaus from Upton Blues Festival, Penny Lee from The Haven in Oxford and 2025 UK Blues Challenge winner Emma Wilson.
With such a close set of results, the marks were checked and re-checked before the final announcement was made. UKBlues chairman Richard Dunning told the audience that they would have happily declared all five acts winners, reflecting just how tight the competition had been.
The Whisky Flowers ultimately took the title and now follow previous UK Blues Challenge winners in gaining the chance to take their music onto the international stage.
Memphis and Portugal next
Victory gives The Whisky Flowers the opportunity to represent the UK at two of the biggest international events on the blues calendar.
The International Blues Challenge brings artists from around the world to Memphis, Tennessee, while the European Blues Challenge will take place in Portugal. UKBlues will support the band as they prepare for both events.
Getting a full band to international competitions comes with a considerable cost, however, and The Whisky Flowers are expected to launch a Crowdfunder shortly to help with travel and associated expenses. Further details will be announced once the campaign is ready.
A strong night for UK blues
The 2026 Challenge was held at Marshall’s Studio facilities, with Jolly Hucksters providing and running the bar for the sold-out event.
UKBlues thanked the venue, judges, organisers and everyone who attended, while reserving particular praise for the five competing acts. Bison Hip, Hollie Rogers, Lightning Threads, The Whisky Flowers and Will Wilde all played their part in producing what proved to be an exceptionally close contest.
For The Whisky Flowers, however, Saturday night marks the beginning of a much bigger journey. With Memphis and Portugal now on the horizon, the newly crowned UK Blues Challenge winners have the chance to take their music, and the UK blues scene, to an international audience.
