Waterfront Blues Festival
98 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204
GET READY TO GROOVE! WATERFRONT BLUES FESTIVAL DROPS 2024 ARTIST LINEUP, PLUS ALL 4-DAY PASSES ARE NOW.
[PORTLAND, ORE.] March 1, 2024 – The 37th annual Waterfront Blues Festival, a cornerstone event of the Pacific Northwest and one of the best music festivals in the country, unveils its initial lineup of confirmed artists for 2024. All levels of 4-Day passes for the Waterfront Blues Festival, July 4th-7th, 2024, are on sale now at waterfrontbluesfest.com
Showcasing legendary performers, trailblazing new artists, and never-before-seen collaborations, the Waterfront Blues Festival pushes the boundaries of blues, soul, Americana, funk, bluegrass, R&B, and more.
Highlights from the 2024 lineup include: Three-time Grammy winner Ben Harper, one of the premier songwriters of his generation blending pop, reggae, soul, blues, rock, funk, and folk. A collaboration between blues legend Bobby Rush and the five-time Grammy-nominated North Mississippi Allstars paying homage to Chicago blues icons Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. St. Paul & the Broken Bones known for their electrifying live shows. Greensky Bluegrass, renowned for their dazzling live acts and bluegrass prowess. Leyla McCalla, a bilingual multi-instrumentalist, promises a soul-stirring performance rooted in African-American string band traditions. Say She She's infectious blend of joy and spirituality will uplift audiences. Jackie Venson's beautifully complex music and blazing guitar skills. Lost Bayou Ramblers inject punk energy and psychedelic fuzz into Cajun music. New Orleans’ Mardi Gras Indian group, The Rumble, brings their Grammy-nominated debut to the stage. North African 'blues' guitar luminary Bombino, the first-ever Grammy-nominated artist from Niger, will mesmerize with his soulful melodies. Jade MacRae, hailed as one of the most gifted musicians, promises a soulful and captivating performance, while neo-soul vocalist Lo Steele, daughter of Portland’s 'First Lady of the Blues,' LaRhonda Steele, joins forces with Brazilian guitarist Igor Prado for a special collaboration.
“We had so much fun putting the initial lineup together this year, as we really wanted to push the boundaries of the genre and have something for every type of music lover,” says Peter Dammann, Waterfront Blues Festival Artistic Director. “When you think about bluegrass, soul and Americana, they all have blues traditions woven in and it’s exciting to showcase new genres and bring new audiences to this year’s festival.”
Waterfront Blues Festival 2024 will have more than 100 performances spread across 4 stagesthroughout the 4-day festival. Set in downtown Portland's Tom McCall Waterfront Park along the picturesque Willamette River, this year’s festival kicks off on Thursday, July 4th with Oregon’s largest fireworks show, and runs through Sunday, July 7th.
In addition to four days of world-class music, the Waterfront Blues Festival is an immersive and inclusive festival experience with something for everyone. Explore the curated marketplace of local vendors offering delicious food and drink, eclectic art, and limited edition music memorabilia; bring the whole family and enjoy ‘The Playin’ Ground’ dedicated kids activities area; boogie down on the dance floor; hop on a live music-fueled Blues Cruise down the river for a few hours; meet your favorite performers at the Music Millenium record booth, and so much more.
“The Waterfront Blues Festival is not just a music event; it's a celebration of community, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to share in the joy of live music, dance, food, art, and all the things we love about Portland,” says Christina Fuller, Festival Director of Waterfront Blues Festival. “For 37 years, this festival has brought families and friends to downtown Portland, making it a vibrant hub of fun and activity. It's a tribute to the unifying power of live music and in-person events.”
4-Day passes are now available, starting at $125, with GA and several VIP options. Kids 12 and younger have free entry into the Waterfront Blues Festival thanks to a Buick GMC of Beaverton.
About The Waterfront Blues Festival
Waterfront Blues Festival - July 4-7, 2024 - is a cornerstone event of the Pacific Northwest, and one of the most dynamic music events in the world, hosting legendary performers and up-and-coming artists pushing the boundaries of blues, soul, rock, funk, folk, R&B and more. This immersive and
inclusive summer festival features 100+ performances on 4 stages across 8 acres of downtown Portland's beautiful waterfront, plus a huge dance floor, dedicated family areas, a marketplace of local vendors, ‘Blues Cruises’ on the Willamette River, and Oregon’s largest fireworks show for a can’t-miss Fourth of July weekend. Now in its 37th year, Waterfront Blues Festival is a
multigenerational celebration of music, culture, and community, and one of the country’s best fully independently-owned and operated music festivals.
Since 1988, Waterfront Blues Festival has raised over $10 million dollars to support local community organizations – the benefiting charitable partners for the 2024 festival are Meals on Wheels People and The Jeremy Wilson Foundation Musician Health & Service Program.