The 2025 edition of the Chicago Blues Festival is set to be a vibrant celebration of the genre, featuring a compelling lineup that includes both legendary veterans and exciting newcomers.
Kicking off the four-day event on Thursday at the Ramova Theatre, the festival will see local harmonica master Billy Branch and his band, the Sons of Blues, opening for the iconic Bobby Rush.
Rush, known for his unique blend of low-down blues, pumping soul, and roiling funk, continues to captivate audiences just as he did when he first hit the R&B charts in 1971 with his hit, ‘Chicken Heads.’
On Friday evening, the main event at the Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion will pay tribute to B.B. King, who would be celebrating his centennial this year.
This special commemoration will feature a lineup of three ambitious young guitarists: the powerful Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, full-throated D.K. Harrell, and gospel-rooted Jonathan Ellison.
Ingram, who recently appeared in the show ‘Sinners,’ along with Harrell, who is a new signee to the esteemed Chicago label Alligator, and former musical director for Denise LaSalle, Ellison, will showcase their contemporary interpretation of classic blues sounds.
Following their set, Chicago blues guitar mainstay John Primer will join harpist Steve Bell for a performance, while the Crossroads Stage will host southern soul performer Johnny Rawls, followed by the gritty guitar work of Eddie Cotton, known for his fusion of tough blues and hearty soul.
Saturday’s highlights include Ingram returning to headline the Pritzker Pavilion with his own set.
Before that, an exciting showcase will feature three up-and-coming blues musicians familiar to local audiences: Stephen Hull from Racine, Wisconsin, who showcases a dynamic mix of earthy vocals and energetic guitar playing; teenage blues talent Harrell ‘Young Rell’ Davenport from Mississippi; and Chicagoan Joey J. Saye, who has crafted a distinct guitar technique inspired by various blues legends including Robert Jr. Lockwood, Big Bill Broonzy, and the three Kings of blues.
In between these performances, the legendary Latimore—who made a name for himself in the 70s with his hit ‘Let’s Straighten It Out’—will add his phenomenal keyboard prowess to the lineup.
On Sunday, the final day of the festival, Chicago blues guitarist Jimmy Burns will kick off the afternoon at Rosa’s Lounge.
As the festivities continue into the afternoon, Pritzker Pavilion will host a celebration of Chess Records curated by Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation, featuring rising second-generation artists such as Charles Berry Jr. and Mud Morganfield.
This showcase will be followed by the lively zydeco sounds of C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band—a nod to Chenier’s father, Clifton Chenier, who was a pioneering figure in the genre.
Next, Chicago blues veteran Lurrie Bell will perform traditional blues infused with the jazz sounds of saxophonist Frank Catalano.
Capping off the festival will be the incomparable Mavis Staples.
Although Staples is known for her gospel roots and soul legends, particularly through her work with the Staple Singers and their Stax record hits in the 1970s, her solo career—launched in 1969—has continually embraced a variety of American musical styles.
Her closing performance promises to be nothing short of spectacular, featuring her trademark throaty growls and captivating wails.
The festival’s first day, Thursday, June 5, will include a Living Blues panel discussion at 4 PM, followed by a talk with Bobby Rush at 5:30 PM, before he takes the stage as the headliner at 7:30 PM.
All events on this initial day will be free, with admission on a first-come, first-served basis available to those aged 18 and older.
On Friday, June 6, the Pritzker Pavilion will host a full day of performances running from noon to 9 PM, featuring the B.B. King centennial celebration as well as sets from John Primer, Steve Bell, and a vibrant cross-section of Chicago blues talent, including Dawn Tyler Watson, Eddie Cotton, and the Johnny Rawls Soul Revue.
The Crossroads Stage and Rosa’s Lounge stage will also be bustling with performances throughout the day, culminating in a riveting free concert that caters to blues enthusiasts of all ages.
Saturday, June 7, will offer an encore performance from Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram, with a variety of sets from high-flying women blues artists paying tribute to Denise LaSalle, as well as John Primer and numerous other talented musicians performing on multiple stages.
Lastly, the final day of the festival, June 8, promises not to disappoint with a schedule including Mavis Staples headlining at 7:45 PM, alongside other exciting acts, making this year’s Chicago Blues Festival a compelling showcase of talent for fans old and new.
With a diverse lineup steeped in both tradition and innovation, attendees can look forward to an unforgettable celebration of Chicago blues as festival organizers pride themselves on an engaging weekend packed with music, heritage, and cultural unity.
For the complete schedule of events, visit ChicagoBluesFestival.us.
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