Megève Blues Festival: Keeping the Family Spirit Alive

From July 31 to August 2, the Megève Blues Festival will celebrate its 11th edition. In just over a decade, the Savoy-based event has established itself as a unique gathering within the European blues landscape. A festival capable of bringing major artists to an Alpine village while never losing its soul or its “Family and Friends” spirit. Behind this adventure also lies the story of Stéphane Huget, who passed away in 2021, and whose dream continues to guide the festival, now directed by his father René.

“I Realize the Victory Is Here, and We’re Living It Together”

When the Megève Blues Festival was launched in 2014, few imagined it would become one of France’s essential blues gatherings. Yet from the very first notes, something special already seemed to be happening in the streets and venues of the Haute-Savoie resort.

René Huget still remembers the festival’s beginnings with remarkable clarity. He often thinks back to a photograph taken during the inaugural edition in 2014, showing Henrik Freischlader on stage and his son Stéphane Huget facing the audience. For him, that image perfectly captures the spirit of the Megève Blues Festival. “Stéphane often said that this photograph told the whole story: a guitarist giving everything he had, a gamble paying off, and a dream becoming reality.”

Twelve years after the adventure began, that emotion remains intact. “And the rest… well, here it is, still alive and preparing for an incredible eleventh edition,” he smiles.

Stéphane Huget’s Dream Lives On

It is impossible to talk about the Megève Blues Festival without mentioning Stéphane Huget. A passionate blues lover, guitarist and devoted admirer of Megève, he was the one who imagined this extraordinary festival, capable of bringing American blues to the heart of the Alps. He gathered artists, volunteers and partners around him, creating what became a true blues family.

In 2019, the arrival of Billy Gibbons marked a major turning point for the festival. But Stéphane Huget was already dreaming even bigger. “He was working on a project to move the festival to Côte 2000 and welcome Eric Clapton, Joe Bonamassa and ZZ Top.”

Then everything changed. The pandemic abruptly slowed the festival’s momentum before Stéphane Huget publicly revealed his health condition in 2021. He passed away a few months later, leaving behind a project deeply shaped by his personality. Today, his loved ones continue the adventure with the same passion. And in the words of René Huget, one can feel that the festival remains above all a story of transmission.

“Family & Friends”

What immediately stands out at the Megève Blues Festival is the rare closeness between artists, volunteers and the audience. Despite the event’s growing reputation, the atmosphere remains profoundly human.

“The goal is not to make the festival bigger, but to make it better,” explains René Huget. “While preserving and sharing our values and our way of life through a ‘Family and Friends’ spirit that artists themselves truly appreciate. Once they return home, they often become our best ambassadors.” This philosophy can be felt everywhere: in the spontaneous encounters after concerts, in the proximity to the musicians, and in the feeling of experiencing an event almost outside of time.

One Stage, Several Generations

Over the years, the Megève Blues Festival has welcomed some of the biggest names in the blues world. Billy Gibbons, Shemekia Copeland, Jimmie Vaughan and Joe Louis Walker have all become part of the festival’s history.

For René Huget, this coexistence of generations is at the very heart of the event’s identity: “We are proud to have welcomed legends such as Billy Gibbons, his friend Jimmie Vaughan and Joe Louis Walker. But what is truly wonderful is witnessing the respect that exists between generations, their connection and the passing of the torch. Seeing Jimmie Vaughan and DK Harrell share the stage is something special… And that is where the balance lies.”

This philosophy can once again be found in this year’s lineup, bringing together established artists such as Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Coco Montoya, alongside newer voices on today’s blues scene including Nikki Hill, Lovesick, Matt Pascale & the Stomps and Ally Venable.

“Completely Crazy… but So Tempting”

Bringing such headline artists to a mountain village might seem improbable. Yet this bold challenge is precisely what has shaped the festival’s identity. “Stéphane was never afraid to break the rules in order to create an extraordinary festival,” recalls René Huget. “Of course it’s completely crazy… but at the same time, incredibly tempting…”

To sum up this philosophy, he even quotes Seneca: “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.”

Although the festival now attracts visitors from across Europe, it remains deeply attached to its local roots. The Village Stage, located on the church square, continues to host free showcases and performances by regional artists. “It was essential for us not to disappear from the square where the festival was born and to keep it alive,” insists René Huget. “The free concerts allow fans to come and support their favorite bands while giving festivalgoers the opportunity to discover new artists. It is also a way of welcoming them into the Megève Blues family.”

A Family Affair

When asked today what makes him most proud of this adventure, René Huget does not mention the prestigious lineups or the festival’s growing reputation. His answer is far more personal: “What makes me proud today, yesterday and tomorrow… is my son Stéphane, for everything he built, and his daughter Charline for continuing the dream.”

That sentence perhaps sums up the spirit of the Megève Blues Festival better than anything else: an event where music remains, above all, a story of transmission, passion and family. Long live the Megève Blues Festival!

If this article has convinced you, here is the link to book your tickets.