Chicago Blues Festival 2020 lineup and dates confirmed

The Chicago Blues Festival 2020 lineup has been announced. The festival celebrates the city’s rich history as the birthplace of urban blues.

The three-day festival takes place at Millennium Park. Attendees can take in performances at six different stages throughout the park. Performances begin at 11 AM each day. The event is free and open to the public.

This year’s headliners include Shemekia Copeland and Jimmy Johnson on Friday night. The Grammy Award-nominated “First Lady” of southern soul, Candi Staton, will perform for the first time at the Chicago Blues Festival on Saturday night.

Also making his Chicago Blues Festival debut is the Memphis guitar legend Eric Gales, who is also known as Raw Dawg. Gales will close the festival on Sunday, June 7 with his performance at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

Below we have a complete list of the lineup and schedule.

Friday, June 5

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 7:50–9pm – Shemekia Copeland
• 7–7:40pm – Jimmy Johnson and Billy Branch
• 5:45–6:45pm – Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling
• 4:30–5:30pm – Marquise Knox

Budweiser Crossroads Stage (at South Chase Promenade)

• 4:45–6pm – John Primer and The Real Deal Blues Band
• 3:15–4:40pm – Mr. Sipp
• 2–3pm – Annika Chambers
• 12:45–1:45pm – Big James & the Chicago Playboys
• 11:30am–12:30pm – Nora Jean Wallace

Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (at North Chase Promenade)

• 4:45–6pm – Mississippi Jam Session featuring Cedric Burnside, Eddie Cotton, Jr., JJ Thames and Lucious Spiller with Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
• 3:30–4:30pm – Cedric Burnside
• 2:15–3:15pm – Eddie Cotton, Jr.
• 1–2pm – JJ Thames
• 11:45am–12:45pm – Lucious Spiller

Front Porch Stage (at Wrigley Square)

• 8–9pm – Johnny Iguana’s Chicago Spectacular with Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Matthew Skoller, Billy Flynn, Bill Dickens and Michael Caskey
• 6:30–7:30pm – Bob Stroger
• 5–6pm – Kilborn Alley Blues Band
• 3:30–4:30pm – Lurrie Bell
• 2–3pm – Erwin Helfer
• 12:30–1:30pm – Mary Lane
• 11am–12pm – Blues in the Schools and the New Rhythm Art Center

Park Grill Stage

• 4–4:45pm – The Smiley Tillmon Band featuring Kate Mossh
• 3–3:45pm – Joseph Saye
• 2–2:45pm – Eric Noden

Rosa’s Lounge

• 11am–9pm – Daily showcase of Chicago Blues Legends and emerging artists that have called Rosa’s Lounge home over the last 36 years.

Saturday, June 6

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 7:50–9pm – Candi Staton
• 7–7:40pm – John Primer and Steve Bell
• 5:45–6:45pm – Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
• 4:30–5:30pm – The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra featuring Terrie Odabi and Sugaray Rayford

Budweiser Crossroads Stage (at South Chase Promenade)

• 4:45–6pm – Tab Benoit
• 3:15–4:30pm – The Kinsey Report
• 2–3pm – Dawn Tyler Watson
• 12:45–1:45pm – Bernard Allison
• 11:30am–12:30pm – Joe Pratt and The Source One Band

Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (at North Chase Promenade)

• 4:45–6pm – Mississippi Jam Session featuring Dorothy Moore, Grady Champion, Dexter Allen, Stevie J Blues with Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
• 3:30–4:30pm – Dorothy Moore
• 2:15pm–3:15pm – Grady Champion
• 1–2pm – Dexter Allen
• 11:45am–12:45pm – Urban Ladder Society featuring Stevie J Blues

Front Porch Stage (at Wrigley Square)

• 8–9pm – Melody Angel
• 6:30–7:30pm – Johnny Burgin
• 5–6pm – Chicago Wind featuring Deitra Farr and Matthew Skoller
• 3:30–4:30pm – Mud Morganfield
• 2–3pm – Bridges to the Blues
• 12:30–1:30pm – Vino Louden Band
• 11am–12pm – 2020 International Blues Challenge Solo/Duo Winner: Hector Anchondo

Park Grill Stage

• 4–4:45pm – Gerry Hundt’s Legendary One-Man Band
• 3–3:45pm – Pete Galanis Band featuring Dave Herrero
• 2–2:45pm – Mississippi Gabe Carter

Rosa’s Lounge

• 11am–9pm – Daily showcase of Chicago Blues Legends and emerging artists that have called Rosa’s Lounge home over the last 36 years.

Sunday, June 7

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 7:50–9pm – Eric Gales
• 7–7:40pm – Erwin Helfer and Katherine Davis
• 5:45–6:45pm – Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials
• 4:30–5:30pm – Catherine Russell celebrating the Classic Blues Women Centennial

Budweiser Crossroads Stage (at South Chase Promenade)

• 4:45–6pm – Billy Branch and The Sons of Blues
• 3:15–4:30pm – Sugaray Rayford
• 2–3pm – Tinsley Ellis
• 12:45–1:45pm – Mike Wheeler Band featuring Demetria Taylor
• 11:30am–12:30pm – 2020 International Blues Challenge Group Winner: Horojo Trio

Visit Mississippi Juke Joint Stage (at North Chase Promenade)

• 4:45–6pm – Mississippi Jam Session featuring Johnny Rawls, Sharde Thomas, Big A, and Robert Kimbrough, Sr. with Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith
• 3:30–4:30pm – Johnny Rawls
• 2:15pm–3:15pm – Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band
• 1–2pm – Big A and The Allstars featuring Space Cowboy
• 11:45am–12:45pm – Robert Kimbrough, Sr.

Front Porch Stage (at Wrigley Square)

• 6:30–7:30pm – Sheryl Youngblood
• 5–6pm – Freddie Dixon Chicago Blues Allstars
• 3:30–4:30pm – Carl Weathersby with Corey Dennison Band
• 2–3pm – Cash Box Kings
• 12:30–1:30pm – Jimmy Burns Band
• 11am–12pm – Anne Harris and Dave Herrero

Park Grill Stage

• 4–4:45pm – Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames
• 3–3:45pm – Matt Hendricks
• 2–2:45pm – Harmonica Hinds

Rosa’s Lounge

11am–9pm – Daily showcase of Chicago Blues Legends and emerging artists that have called Rosa’s Lounge home over the last 35 years.