The evening’s host, Viktoria Siff, opened the show with a duet alongside Kajsa Vala. Under the direction of guitarist Ole Frimer, the audience was then taken on a musical journey through a variety of styles—from Chicago blues to Southern rhythms—seasoned with touches of reggae, soul, funk, and rock.

The Danish Music Awards Blues 2025 presented the following awards:

• Blues Live Award 2025: ÆGTESKAB — known for a unique, genre-breaking expression full of soul and strong interplay.

• Danish Blues Release of the Year 2025: Alain Apaloo – “Naked” — praised as a meeting between West African blues and Mississippi Delta country blues, delivered in a minimalist and authentic style. In the top photo, Alain Apaloo receives the award from DMF Randers’ Louise Negro. Photo: Frank Nielsen.

• Out of the Blue Award 2025: RENAY — highlighted as a major new talent with an impressive soul and blues voice.

• Hoochie Coochie Man/Woman of the Year 2025: “KingBee” Bjarne R. Rask — honoured for more than 30 years of dedicated work for blues music in Denmark.

The 2025 DMA Blues jury consisted of: Mette Fossing, Bjarne Rask, Tue Lund-Christensen, Trine Buhl, Sahra da Silva, Jakob Wandam, Charlie Tambaur, Sabina Smailagic, Rikke Barner, Troels Skjærbæk, Betina Følleslev, and Ole Albrechtsen. The DMA Blues jury is appointed by TEMPI, Jazz Danmark, ROSA, the Danish Musicians’ Union, the Danish Artists’ Union, and the Jutland Blues Network.

The Danish Music Awards Blues 2025 was organised by TEMPI, Jazz Danmark, ROSA, and Turbinen, in collaboration with the Jutland Blues Network, and supported by Randers Festuge, the Danish Artists’ Union, and the Danish Musicians’ Union.