The Top 5 Blues Music Festivals of 2016
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Find out which festivals made the list for the top 5 blues music festivals of 2016. You won’t want to miss these events!
Chicago Blues Festival
The Chicago Blues Festival is the world’s largest free blues festival. It is also one of the largest music festivals in the world, with over 500,000 people attending each year. The festival takes place on Chicago’s lakefront in Grant Park and features more than 100 blues artists from all over the world.
When: June 9-12, 2016
The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world, and it draws blues lovers from all over the globe. The festival takes place in Grant Park on Chicago’s lakefront, and it features more than 100 performances on six stages. Past performers have included Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Bonnie Raitt.
Where: Grant Park, Chicago
The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world and has been taking place every summer since 1984. Past performers include Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker. This year’s lineup includes Darrell Nulisch, Joanna Connor Band, and Otis Clay. The festival takes place in Grant Park on Chicago’s lakefront and is easily accessible by public transportation.
Bands: TBD
The Chicago Blues Festival is the world’s largest free blues festival. The annual event is held in early June in Grant Park on Chicago’s lakefront. It features three days of performances by local, regional and national blues artists on six stages.
Memphis in May
The Memphis in May International Festival is a monthly celebration of the city of Memphis, Tennessee, and its music and culture. The event was first held in 1977 and has been held every year since. It is one of the largest and most well-known blues music festivals in the world.
When: May 5-7, 2016
Now in its 40th year, Memphis in May is one of the longest-running and most popular blues music festivals in the country. The three-day event features more than 30 local and national acts on four stages, as well as food and drink vendors, arts and crafts, and a Children’s Activities Area. Fans can expect to see performances by Mavis Staples, Buddy Guy, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal Trio, Shemekia Copeland, North Mississippi Allstars, and many more.
Where: Tom Lee Park, Memphis
Situated on the mighty Mississippi River, Memphis is the spiritual home of the blues, and every year in May, it plays host to one of the biggest and best blues festivals in the world. The lineup for this year’s festival includes everyone from seasoned legends to up-and-coming artists, and with more than 50 acts performing on 5 stages over 4 days, there’s sure to be something for everyone. If you’re a fan of the blues, make sure you don’t miss out on this fantastic event.
Bands: TBD
1) Memphis in May
If you’re looking for a good old fashioned blues festival, look no further than Memphis in May. This year’s lineup has not been announced yet, but previous years have featured legends like B.B. King and Buddy Guy. The festival takes place in late May, and tickets start at $45 for a single day.
2) Chicago Blues Festival
The Chicago Blues Festival is another great option for those looking for a traditional blues experience. This year’s lineup includes Mavis Staples, Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues, and Shemekia Copeland. The festival is free to attend, and it takes place in early June.
3) Ponderosa Stomp
The Ponderosa Stomp is a more eclectic option, featuring not just blues musicians, but also rockabilly, R&B, and soul performers. This year’s lineup includes Bo Diddley, Wanda Jackson, and Albert King. The festival takes place in late May, and tickets start at $50 for a single day.
4) International Blues Challenge
The International Blues Challenge is less of a music festival and more of a competition, but it’s still a great event for blues fans. The event features over 250 bands from all over the world competing for the title of best new blues band or solo artist. The event is free to attend, and it takes place in late January/early February.
5) Ann Arbor Blues Festival
The Ann Arbor Blues Festival is one of the oldest and most well-respected blues festivals in the country. This year’s lineup includes Buddy Guy, Shemekia Copeland, Koko Taylor, and Junior Wells. The festival takes place in early August, and tickets start at $40 for a single day.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is one of the top blues music festivals of 2016. The festival features a wide range of music, including jazz, blues, funk, rock, and more. There are also a variety of food and drink options available, as well as a wide range of merchandise.
When: April 22-May 1, 2016
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, or more commonly known as Jazz Fest, is a musical celebration of the great city of New Orleans and its irreplaceable culture. The event is held annually at the Historic Fair Grounds Race Course and features dozens of musical performances spread out over the course of a week. Musical genres represented at Jazz Fest include blues, R&B, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, rock, folk, Latin, and of course jazz. In addition to the music, there are also arts & crafts booths, food stalls offering up traditional Louisiana fare, and second-line parades.
Where: New Orleans Fairgrounds, New Orleans
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, commonly known as Jazz Fest, is a celebration of the music and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana. The festival is held annually on the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May at the Fair Grounds Race Course. It is one of the largest music festivals in the country, with an estimated 400,000 people attending each year.
Jazz Fest was founded in 1970 by George Wein, producer of the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival. The festival was conceived as a way to bring together the city’s diverse musical traditions, including jazz, blues, R&B, gospel, Cajun, zydeco, African, Latin, Caribbean and European music.
The festival features a wide range of musical styles and genres on its many stages. In addition to local and regional acts, Jazz Fest often features headlining performances by some of the biggest names in music. Past headliners have included Miles Davis, Sting, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson.
Jazz Fest is also known for its food. The event features more than 70 food booths offering a variety of Louisiana cuisine. Many of these dishes are only available at Jazz Fest or from specific vendors. Some popular items include jambalaya, gumbo, po’boys and beignets.
The 2016 Jazz Fest will take place from April 22-May 1.
Bands: TBD
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, commonly known as Jazz Fest, is a music festival held annually in New Orleans, Louisiana. The festival features a variety of musical genres including blues, rock, jazz, soul, and more. Jazz Fest is one of the most popular music festivals in the United States, drawing an estimated half a million visitors each year.
Jazz Fest was founded in 1970 by George Wein, the producer of the Newport Folk Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival. Wein’s goal was to create a similar event in New Orleans that would showcase the city’s unique musical heritage. The first Jazz Fest was held April 22-23, 1970 at Congo Square in Louis Armstrong Park. It featured performances by Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Mahalia Jackson, and many other top musicians.
Today, Jazz Fest is held over two weekends (April 28-30 and May 5-7) at the Fair Grounds Race Course. It features over 400 musical acts on 12 stages, as well as food and craft booths from local vendors.
Beale Street Music Festival
The Beale Street Music Festival is one of the top blues music festivals in the United States. The festival is held in Memphis, Tennessee and features some of the best blues musicians in the world. The festival also has a wide variety of other genres of music, so there is something for everyone.
When: May 5-7, 2016
The Beale Street Music Festival is a three-day, four-stage event in historic downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Attendees can enjoy performances by both up-and-coming and world-renowned artists, as well as explore the sights and sounds of the vibrant Memphis music scene. With over 60 acts ranging from blues and rock to hip hop and R&B, there is something for everyone at the Beale Street Music Festival.
Where: Tom Lee Park, Memphis
The Beale Street Music Festival is a three-day, four-stage event in Memphis, Tennessee. Held annually on the first full weekend in May, the festival features a diverse lineup of approximately 60 musical acts from all genres of music, as well as other performing arts such as dance and comedy.
First held in 1977, the festival is named for Beale Street, a historic street and music district in downtown Memphis. The festival is organized by the Memphis in May International Festival, a non-profit organization that also hosts other events throughout the year, such as the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest and the International Orchid Show.
In addition to the music, the Beale Street Music Festival also features a variety of food vendors selling a variety of cuisines, as well as merchandise vendors selling everything from Memphis-themed souvenirs to festival memorabilia.
Bands: TBD
The Beale Street Music Festival is a three-day, four-stage event in Memphis, Tennessee that showcases more than 60 artists on 16 acres of the historic downtown area including blues, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll, pop, and hip-hop.
International Blues Challenge
Every year, music lovers from all over the world flock to Memphis, Tennessee for the annual International Blues Challenge. This event is put on by The Blues Foundation and features some of the best blues musicians from all over the world. If you’re a fan of the blues, this is one event you definitely don’t want to miss.
When: January 31-February 4, 2017
The International Blues Challenge (IBC) is an annual event that brings together the blues’ best unsigned bands and solo/duo artists from around the world. Representing over 200 blues societies, these artists compete in performances by day and showcase their talents to industry professionals at night. The week-long event culminates with the crowning of the 2017 IBC Solo/Duo and Band champions on Saturday, February 4th.
The IBC has become a proving ground and launch pad for many successful careers in the blues. Past winners include Grady Champion, Lurrie Bell, Cassie Taylor, Trampled Under Foot, Samantha Fish, Ruthie Foster, Teresa James and many more. The 2016 IBC saw over 250 acts perform 144 showcases to industry members from all over the world resulting in booking opportunities at festivals, clubs and other events.
So mark your calendars for next year’s event and start planning your trip to Memphis for what promises to be an unforgettable week of music!
Where: Beale Street, Memphis
The International Blues Challenge (IBC) represents the worldwide search for those bands and solo/duo performers ready to take their act to the next level. The IBC takes place every year in Memphis, TN during Blues Music Week. Over 250 acts perform in over 30 venues on historic Beale Street and around Memphis. Of those 250 acts, only five will be chosen to go on an all-expenses paid trip to represent the IBC at the Plugged In Tour in Europe. The five spots are highly coveted and provides amazing international exposure for the chosen artists.
Bands: TBD
The International Blues Challenge (IBC) is an annual event that brings together blues bands and solo/duo artists from all over the world in a bid to find the best up-and-coming talent. The event is organized by The Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes blues music and its heritage through educational initiatives and support for blues musicians.
Held every January in Memphis, Tennessee – the home of the blues – the IBC culminates in a competition where bands and artists compete for cash prizes, scholarships, and the coveted title of “Best New Act”. Past winners include Joe Bonamassa, Trampled Under Foot, and Delbert McClinton.
This year’s IBC will take place from January 31st to February 4th, 2017. If you’re a fan of blues music, this is definitely an event you won’t want to miss!
