We don’t want to say this is our best year ever, but this just might be our best year ever. We’ve got two days packed with an eclectic mix of fresh up and coming talent, and blues legends who have defined the genre. So sit back, grab a cold one and get ready to celebrate the blues Aurora-style, get ready for the 24th Annual Blues on the Fox.

FRIDAY, JUNE 19
SOUTHERN AVENUE: 7 PM
Southern Avenue brings together a widely talented set of young musicians who have fused their unique backgrounds to create a sound that is carrying this band into the blues spotlight. Since the release of their debut in 2017, Southern Avenue has played in over a dozen countries and wowed audiences at festivals like Bonnaroo, Firefly, Electric Forest and Lockn’.

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD: 9 PM
Utter the phrase ” blues rock guitarist prodigy” within earshot of anyone with even a small knowledge of the modern musical leaders and the first name they are most likely to respond with will be Kenny Wayne Shepherd. After all, the guitar aficionado started his musical journey at age 7. The Louisiana born songsmith has sold millions of albums while throwing singles into the Top 10, shining a light on the rich blues of the past and forging ahead with his own modern twist on a classic sound he has embodied since his teens.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20
MELODY ANGEL: 3 PM
Chicago south-sider Melody Angel has had a passion for rock-and-roll and the blues since she was 7 years old. Crediting Hendrix, Prince, Chuck Berry and more as her inspirations, she’s been shredding guitar all her life. Chicago Reader called her “the future of blues” who uses old school rock, R&B, hip-hop and of course the blues to create a sound all her own.

BILLY BRANCH: 5 PM
Billy Branch is a 3-time Grammy nominee, an Emmy Award winner and one of the best damn blues musicians you’re ever gonna find. He was discovered by Willie Dixon, widely claimed to be the “father of modern Chicago blues.” He bought his first harp at 16 and has never been without one since. Billy is one of the few true masters of his genre and one of the greatest blues harmonica players in the world.

MINDI ABAIR AND THE BONESHAKERS: 7 PM
One of the most recognized sought-after saxophonists, two-time Grammy nominee Mindi Abair has been electrifying audiences with her dynamic live performances and sax prowess since her debut album in 1999. She and her band The Boneshakers won 8 Independent Blues Awards, including Artist of the Year and Best Blues Song. No one since Junior Walker has brought saxophone and vocals in one package to the forefront of modern blues.

BUDDY GUY: 9 PM
Buddy Guy needs no introduction. He’s one of the absolute titans of blues. He’s the man Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and many more cite as inspirations. He’s a legend ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. At 83-years-young, he’s just as good as he’s ever been, and he’s been playing the blues for more than half a century. It’s no wonder he’s managed to win 8 Grammy Awards, an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the National Medal of Arts. If you love the blues, you love Buddy.