Baton Rouge Blues Festival celebrates the city’s blues roots

The Baton Rouge Blues Festival returned this Friday and Saturday, taking over downtown Baton Rouge to bring together music, community and fun for the whole family.

The 44-year-old festival is one of the oldest blues festivals in the U.S., and this year, it featured over 40 bands and local artists across five stages. The Manship Theatre, Galvez Plaza and WATERMARK hotel all hosted musicians while Third Street shut down for attendees to stroll and enjoy the music.

The festival kicked off Friday at 5 p.m. and was hosted in partnership with Live After Five — a weekly, free concert series downtown — to draw in the after-work, weekend-ready crowd. As the sun set, the streets were filled with the strumming of guitars and blaring of brass instruments, setting an easy tone for the rest of the weekend.

The real party got started the next afternoon as Saturday’s crowd brought energy and excitement for the day. Attendees gathered to listen to headliners like Kenny Neal, Chris Thomas King, Chris LeBlanc, Jonathan “Boogie” Long and Jovin Webb. The mix of traditional blues, funk and contemporary interpretations of the genre from these local musicians highlighted Baton Rouge’s deep roots in the blues scene.

Managing Director of Live After Five, J. Hover, was named this year’s interim director of the festival in February.

“This festival is a cornerstone of our city’s cultural identity, and I look forward to supporting its artists, volunteers, and community,” said Hover in a news release ahead of the event.

Hover is at the forefront of Baton Rouge’s biggest musical events. Apart from Live After Five and Blues Fest, he runs Molecular Management, an artist management and promotion brand where he produces events and organizes other festivals like this one.

The Baton Rouge Blues Festival and Foundation extends beyond the weekend performances. The foundation helps preserve and promote Louisiana “swamp blues” culture and music. With community support from volunteers and sponsors, the event is able to stay free to the public.

Local businesses also played a key role in the atmosphere. Bars and restaurants promoted the event by introducing specialty cocktails and celebrating with everyone else. Mother’s Lounge served a specialty Strawberry Basil Lemonade and Somewhere Bar served a Jack Daniel’s Lemonade.

Those who snagged a BFF Pass before the event were able to enjoy unlimited drink, food and prime outdoor seating spots. Other guests filled the park with lawn chairs and picnic blankets, moving to the music while still enjoying drinks and food from the vendors.

Saturday’s rain didn’t make anyone blue. Fans came prepared, sporting ponchos or embracing the weather, waiting for the pockets of sun.

The vibes were contagious, police and security guards were swaying to music while monitoring the crowd and the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. Families and guests with younger children gathered where there was space to sit and let the young ones roam wild.