Mavis Staples will headline Chicago Blues Fest 2025
The Grammy-winning singer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples will headline the final night of this summer's Blues Fest, according to an announcement Wednesday by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
The 2025 Chicago Blues Festival is slated for June 5-8 in Millennium Park, as well as opening concerts and events at the Ramova Theatre (3520 S. Halsted St.) in Bridgeport and a Sunday series on Maxwell Street. All performances and events are free and open to the public. The full schedule:
June 5
Ramova Theatre
4 p.m.: 'Living Blues Panel Discussion' with Jim O'Neal, Scott Barretta, Brett Bonner, Bruce Iglauer and Deitra Farr, moderated by Dick Shurman.
5:30 p.m.: 'Up Close & Personal with Bobby Rush,' led by Julia Miller of Delmark Records.
7:30 p.m.: Billy Branch & The Sons of Blues in concert.
9 p.m.: Bobby Rush in concert.
June 6
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
4 p.m.: D.K. Harrell
5:15 p.m.: Dawn Tyler Watson
6:30 p.m.: John Primer with Steve Bell
7:30: B.B. King Centennial Tribute with Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram, D.K. Harrell and Jonathan Ellison with the B.B. King Centennial Band
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon: Lady Adrena and LA Band
1:30 p.m.: Vick Allen featuring the Velvet Soul Band
3 p.m.: Johnny Rawls Soul Review
4:30 p.m.: Eddie Cotton
Rosa's Lounge Stage (North Promenade)
12:30 p.m.: Ivan Singh
2 p.m.: Jamiah 'Dirty Deacon' Rogers and the Dirty Church Band
3:30 p.m.: Rico McFarland
5 p.m.: Sheryl Youngblood
6:30 p.m.: The Mike Wheeler Band
June 7
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
4 p.m. – Women in Blues Tribute to Denise LaSalle with Nellie 'Tiger' Travis, Thornetta Davis, Nora Jean Wallace and Mzz Reese with Jonathan Ellison.
5:30 p.m.: Joey J. Saye, Stephen Hull and Harrell 'Young Rell' Davenport
6:30 p.m.: Latimore
7:45 p.m.: Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon: 2 Blues for You
1:30 p.m.: Jessie Robinson
3 p.m.: Vickie Baker, The V Souls and The Groove Crew
4:30 p.m.: John Primer & The Real Deal Blues Band
Rosa's Lounge Stage (North Promenade)
12:30 p.m.: Stefan Hillesheim Band
2 p.m.: Michael Damani
3:30 p.m.: Lynne Jordan and The Shivers
5 p.m.: Joe Barr and The Platinum Band
6:30 p.m.: Theo Huff
Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace – Next Generation of Blues
11 a.m.: Wendy & DB
Noon: Chicago Blues Revival
1 p.m.: Curie Metropolitan High School
2 p.m.: Bandwith
3 p.m.: VanderCook College of Music
June 8
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:45 p.m. – Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation celebrates the 75th anniversary of Chess Records
5:15 p.m.: C.J. Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band
6:30 p.m.: Lurrie Bell and Frank Catalano
7:45 p.m.: Mavis Staples
Visit Mississippi Crossroads Stage (South Promenade)
Noon: Stevie J and The Blues Eruption
1:30 p.m.: Nellie 'Tiger' Travis
3 p.m.: Jonathan Ellison
4:30 p.m.: Ms. Jody
Rosa's Lounge Stage (North Promenade)
12:30 p.m.: Harrell 'Young Rell' Davenport
2 p.m.: Jimmy Burns Band
3:30 p.m.: Nick Alexander Blues Band
5 p.m.: Sonia Astacio
6:30 p.m.: 3 by 3 Crew with Freddie Dixon, John Watkins, Maurice Vaughn and Tim Taylor
Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace – Next Generation of Blues
11 a.m.: Wiggleworms featuring Amanda Payne and Will Fancher of Old Town School of Folk Music
Noon: Fernando Jones Presents the Knott Us Band
1 p.m.: Kenwood Academy High School
2 p.m.: Nicholas Senn High School
3 p.m.: A Patch of Blues
Maxwell Street between Halsted Street and Union Avenue
10 a.m.: DJ James Porter
11 a.m.: Marty 'Big Dog' Mercer Duo
Noon: DJ James Porter
12:30 p.m.: Omar Coleman Westside Soul
1:30 p.m.: DJ James Porter
2 p.m.: Harmonica Hinds Duo
Originally Published: April 16, 2025 at 11:40 AM CDT
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