Kalamazoo Blues Fest
- This event has passed.
The Blues fest returns to it’s roots, 30 years after the first event! We are back at Arcadia Creek Festival Place, July 27th, 2024! Tickets can be purchased here:
Tickets on sale now at https://kvba.org
2024 Kalamazoo Blues Fest
What: The Kalamazoo Blues Festival, celebrating 30 years of the KVBA bringing the Blues to the Zoo
When: Saturday, July 27, 2024, noon to midnight
Where: Arcadia Creek Festival Place, Kalamazoo, MI
Who: The amazing Blues lineup is listed below with links to each artists page
Parking: The city has plenty of parking ramps and options, we will post more here as we get closer to the festival. Due to the ever changing nature of construction, please plan ahead for traffic considerations. There is no on-site parking available. Those with mobility needs should contact kvba@kvba.org for assistance.
Chairs: Lawn chairs are permitted and encouraged. Please keep them un-bagged for security checks. There will be some limited, first come, first served seating options.
No weapons, outside food or beverage, drugs or controlled substances will be allowed
The KVBA is proud to bring you the Kalamazoo Blues Fest, complete with great Blues music, food trucks, drinks and more! It’s sure to be a bluesy great time for all.
The Lineup:
Out of Favor Boys These guys have been doing it at a high level for 20+ years and keep on churning out new music while putting on electrifying live performances. We’re thrilled to have them represent Kalamazoo as we celebrate 30 years of bringing Blues to the Zoo!
JR Clark Band JR and his amazing band have toured internationally and even have ties to our headliner (to be revealed soon, stay tuned!). A guitar virtuoso, JR is backed by one of the tightest bands around, they put on an amazing show. We can’t wait to see them on the big stage!
Mandalyn and the Hunters fresh off of their finals appearance at the Memphis Blues Foundation International Blues Challenge! They have a great mix of guitars, keys and Mandalyn’s soulful voice, providing a fresh yet familiar sound that will blow you away!
The Jimmy’s This Midwest 7-piece funky blues band will have you on your feet! With a horn section and a danceable beat, you’ll be sure to have a great time. One reviewer described their show as follows: “Not yes, HELL YES!! The fun provided is so spectacular!! You’ll smile and sing for weeks after seeing and dancing to their show!! Bring it on!!”
Nikki Hill w/ Laura Chavez Overlapping soulful, sensual and bold vocal tones with powerful chrome-plated riffs and swagger, her voice finds a home in it – a soul singing, bar rocking, roots revivalist, that writes with frank self-reflection at a dancing tempo.
As an added treat, a two for one if you will, Nikki’s band features the incomparable Luara Chavez on guitar!
Little Ed and the Blues Imperials There when it all began 30 years ago! We are proud to welcome back to the Kalamazoo Blues Fest, Little Ed and the Blues Imperials!
Little Ed was recently inducted into the Blues Foundation Blues Hall of Fame, a well deserved honor!
In Chicago, a city overflowing with unrivaled blues talent, world-renowned Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials have been standing tall for over 30 years. The band’s big sound, fueled by Lil’ Ed’s gloriously rollicking slide work and deep blues string bending, along with his rough-edged, soulful vocals, is as real and hard-hitting as Chicago blues gets. The Chicago Sun-Times says, “Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials are the hottest purveyors of bottleneck boogie to come out of Chicago since Hound Dog Taylor.”