Named after the river that runs through Katowice, the Rawa Blues Festival found its beginnings in dark political times for Poland - 1981, the year of the festival's inception, was also the year of martial law, which followed the birth of the Solidarity movement in 1980. As it happens, music is often the best response to the oppressive system and that is exactly what local composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Ireneusz Dudek (known for his band Shakin' Dudi) thought when founding the festival. Since then it has become one of the most recognised indoor blues festivals in the world, hosting many celbrated international blues artists, including Robert Cray, Keb' Mo', JJ Grey & Mofro, Elvin Bishop, Otis Taylor, Marcia Ball, Luther Allison, Junior Wells, Koko Taylor and many more.

Set to take place over the course one epic day in Spodek, the 2023 lineup includes Altered Five Blues Band, Restless, Philip Sayce, Troy Redfern, Albert Cummings, Boogie Boys, Shakin' Dudi, Blueset, Robert Kordylewski, Teksasy & Wojtek Cugowski and many others.