The Dipanas Blues International Festival bets on a true journey through the history of music to compose the program for its 14th edition. With the theme “Roots”, the event, which will be held on August 15, in Pará de Minas, in the Central region of the State, brings together national and international artists who represent different moments in the trajectory of blues and its influence on styles such as rock, soul, funk, reggae, jazz and hip hop. The curator's proposal is to show the public how a genre born in the southern United States became one of the main bases of contemporary music. To achieve this, the line-up combines traditional blues legends, renowned Brazilian music artists and representatives of more current sounds, creating an experience that crosses generations and styles. Among the international highlights are guitarist and singer Jimmy Burns, considered one of the great living legends of Chicago blues, in the United States, and singer Queen Iretta, born in Mississippi, also in North American territory. The region is recognized worldwide as one of the birthplaces of the genre. The national wing brings together names such as Sandra Sá, Toni Garrido and Marcelo Falcão, as well as artists directly linked to Brazilian blues, such as Eric Assmar, Sérgio Duarte Blues, Andrade Brothers Band, Bruno Marques Band and Leo Leon. According to the executive producer of Voodoo Produção Cultural, organizer of the festival, Hugo Lacerda, the diversity of the line-up was designed to highlight how the blues influenced different musical movements over time. "The blues is one of the great roots of modern music. When we look at styles as different as rock, soul, reggae, funk or even hip hop, we find elements that were born there. Therefore, we built a line-up that allows the public to follow this trajectory, understanding how this seed gave rise to so many fruits that are part of the soundtrack of our lives", he states. The program was structured to represent different aspects of this musical evolution. While Jimmy Burns and Queen Iretta help tell the story of the beginnings of blues, artists like Sandra Sá and Toni Garrido highlight the influence of the genre on rhythms that gained their own identity over the decades. Marcelo Falcão, in turn, brings to the stage a sound marked by the encounter between rock, reggae and contemporary urban elements. Curation aligned with the theme of the edition The choice of artists for the 14th edition of Dipanas Blues followed a curation process directly linked to the “Roots” concept, which guides this year's entire edition. According to Hugo, each attraction was selected to represent a chapter of this musical narrative. "The curator's first concern is to understand the edition's proposal. As this year's theme is 'Roots', we wanted to rescue the origins of the blues and show how it has transformed over time. The program was built to tell this story, connecting tradition and contemporaneity in the same experience", he explains. The festival also sought to balance established attractions and new names on the music scene. Among the contemporary highlights is the band Hurricanes, which combines classic rock references with a more modern and energetic approach. "The Hurricanes represent this bridge between past and present very well. They carry references from the roots of rock and blues, but present a current, electric sound connected to new generations. It is exactly this dialogue that we want to promote in this edition", highlights the producer. Experience for different audiences More than an event aimed at blues lovers, the festival aims to attract audiences of different ages and profiles. The idea is that the line-up functions both as a celebration for those who already know the genre and as an opportunity for discovery for new listeners. "The 'Raízes' edition was designed so that people can travel through the history of music. Those who are already passionate about the blues will find artists and important references to the genre. Those who are having their first contact will be able to understand how this language influenced so many styles that are part of everyday life. It is an experience for the whole family and for different generations", says Hugo Lacerda. Recognized as the biggest blues festival in Minas Gerais and one of the biggest in Brazil, Dipanas Blues will have more than 10 hours of programming, spread across three stages, in addition to traveling performances, gastronomic experiences and cultural actions that expand the reach of the event beyond the main arena. Confirmed artists Jimmy Burns Jimmy Burns is one of the most respected names on the global Blues scene. Born near Dublin, Mississippi, but residing in Chicago for many years, the singer, guitarist and songwriter is a contemporary Bluesman who combines his Delta and Chicago roots with R&B and Soul. Jimmy Burns Disclosure Jimmy Burns Queen Iretta Blues singer born in Tunica, Mississippi (USA), a region considered one of the birthplaces of Blues. With a career marked by performances in traditional blues houses in the North American south, she has established herself as one of the contemporary interpreters of the Mississippi Blues scene. Owner of a powerful voice and gospel influences, she brings to the stage a repertoire that combines blues classics and original compositions. Queen Iretta giulianne-martins-retratista-2626 Marcelo Falcão Singer, composer and musician from Rio, known nationally for having been the lead singer of the band O Rappa for more than two decades. Born and raised in the Engenho Novo neighborhood, in Rio de Janeiro, he became one of the most notable voices in contemporary Brazilian music, behind hits such as Pescador de Ilusões, Minha Alma (A Paz que Eu Não Quero) and Anjos (Pra Quem Tem Fé). Since the end of the group, he has pursued a solo career, starting with the album Viver (Mais Leve Que o Ar), maintaining the mix of reggae, rock and social criticism that marked his career. Marcelo Falcao