The Headliners for the 34th Chicago Blues Festival included: Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues, Rhymefest, John Primer and The Real Deal, Nellie “Tiger” Travis, William Bell, Rhiannon Giddens, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Theo Huff and the New Agenda Band, and Gary Clark Jr. The three-day Chicago Blues Festival had performances at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Budweiser Crossroads Stage, Mississippi Juke Joint, and the Front Porch Stage (Harris Theater Rooftop). It was the first time in it’s 34-year history, the Chicago Blues Festival was held in Millennium Park. Commissioner Mark Kelly (Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events) said, “We are excited to move the Chicago Blues Festival to Millennium Park where fans will be able to enjoy the finest blues performances in a setting that will only heighten the event’s reputation as the world’s preeminent free blues festival.”
The Bridges to the Blues Showcase featured, Hip Hop Artist, Rhymefest. Rhymefest performed hit songs “Glory” (“Glory” won an Academy Award for Best Original Song; Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media) accompanied by Billy Branch, and “Bullet”.
Nellie “Tiger” Travis took over the blues fest stage with her dance moves as she sang “Mr. Sexy Man”. She walked off the stage and performed with the audience. It was a great performance by the blues star.
At the Mississippi Juke Joint Stage, 19 year old, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram made his debut and proved that the blues isn’t dead. He played like a veteran. He played an extended rendition of “Got To Be Some Changes Made” (Written By Albert King) that rocked the house. The crowd packed the Juke Joint to see who was playing that great. He is from Clarksdale, Mississippi. It is called “The birthplace of the blues and rock-n-roll. After this debut performance, we will definitely see more from ”Kingfish”.
