Tickets
  • ALL PASSES $75
  • BENEFACTOR PASS $125
  • SINGLE NIGHT TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR
  • BUY TICKETS

 

Trip planning

FOR A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO ALL THINGS CLARKSDALE, GO TO OUR LOCAL TOURISM WEBSITE, VISIT CLARKSDALE.

THERE, YOU’LL FIND INFORMATION ON LODGING, DINING, NIGHTLIFE, AND SO MUCH MORE!

 

Deep Blues fest

Experience real deep blues in the heart of the delta

The roots of Deep Blues Fest

In 2007, Chris Johnson held the first Deep Blues Festival in a field just outside of the twin cities.  18 bands performed in an all day event.  This was a celebration of outsider and alternative blues and music inspired by these artists.  Over the years, hundreds of bands have been involved with the festival and also performing at Chris’ Bayport BBQ.

“What excited me about this music was that it was so different,” said Johnson. “It was raw and immediate and went all the way back to the roots, and artists like R.L. and Junior had so much character.”…

”Next came his discovery of artists like the Black Diamond Heavies, Scott H. Biram, and Bob Log — younger independents making music under the influence of Kimbrough, Burnside, and their hill country kin, including Jessie Mae Hemphill and Othar Turner.”

This new, raw strain of hybrid blues offers deep roots to fans of traditional music. And while Burnside, Kimbrough, Hemphill and Turner are now dead, Kenny Brown, Elmo Williams and Hezekiah Early, and a handful of other Mississippians soldier on.”

Excerpts from The Blues Is Not Dead: The New Blues Underground Rises Up by Ted Drozdowski about Chris Johnson and the Deep Blues Festival.

2023 EVENT SCHEDULE

CONFIRMED LINEUP SCHEDULE COMING SOON

THURSDAY OCTOBER 12 – SUNDAY OCTOBER 15, 2023

THURSDAY OCT. 12 2023

@ THE SHACK UP INN

8:00 – JIMMY DUCK HOLMES
9:00 – CATL

FRIDAY OCT. 13 2023

@ MESSENGERS

4:00-6:00 – BENEFACTOR BALL FEAT. SISTER DYNAMITE – BENEFACTOR PASSES REQUIRED

@ THE NEW ROXY

8:00 – JOHN PAUL KEITH
9:00 – JAMES LEG

SATURDAY OCT. 14 2023

@ THE SHACK UP INN

12:00 – 4:00 – Deep Blues Fest Family Picnic Celebrating Chris Johnson – FREE

@ THE NEW ROXY

7:00 – Tijuana Hercules
8:00 – Jimbo Mathus
9:00 – Bob Log III

SUNDAY OCT. 15 2023

@ THE NEW ROXY

2:00 – THE WILKINS SISTERS

DEEP BLUES FESTIVAL 2023 LINEUP

‘OCTOBER 12-15 • 2023 • CLARKSDALE, MISSISSIPPI

JAMES LEG

The son of a Texas preacher, raised in the South on gospel music, James Leg ditills his particular brew of traditional roots and urban feedback, and “Blood On The Keys” is as explosive as it is pure rock n’ roll. This might be his most lethal album so far! – Alive Records/James Leg

BOB LOG III

His web marquee declares: “One Man Band *Guitar*Party*Dance*Mess” – indeed, Bob Log III dons many on-stage personas. Yet his slide guitar rings slow, steady, and relentless – the kind of relentless blues fans crave. This international touring sensation wows in a hard-nosed blues/americana/stage-performer-not-to-be-forgotten kind of way. 

JIMMY ‘DUCK’ HOLMES

Owner of Bentonia, Mississippi’s Blue Front Cafe, Mississippi’s oldest still cranking juke joint, Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes is best known as the last remaining bastion of Bentonia Blues. Committed to safekeeping and furthering Bentonia’s vintage of country blues Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes’s sound (and his Blue Front Records) remains a stronghold of gritty, wistful, deep wailing blues. 

JOHN PAUL KEITH

A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, singer, songwriter, and guitarist John Paul Keith is a 17year veteran of the Memphis music scene. During that time, hes released five critically acclaimed studio albums, including 2021s The Rhythm of the City, which American Songwriter called one of the finest and most genuine roots albums of the year.Keiths latest release is 2022s A World Like That Live at BSide, recorded on stage in Memphis and released on Italys Wild Honey Records.

THE WILKINS SISTERS

The Wilkins Sisters are the daughters and back-up singers for their father, the late great Rev. John Wilkins. The Wilkins Sisters were brought up singing in the church inspired by their mother and father, and mix gospel, blues and R&B to make a music that is moving, soulful, and uplifting. As little girls they used to open for their father at services, shows, and picnics. The daughters came back together about 10 years ago when they were asked to accompany their father on several songs on his award winning first full-length record, You Can’t Hurry God, on Fat Possum’s Big Legal Mess label. For Reverend Wilkins’ second release, Trouble, recorded at famed Royal Studios and released by Memphis label Goner Records, Rev Wilkins wanted his daughters featured more prominently and that’s exactly what he did. Trouble features the daughters ‘strong soulful vocal leads as well their warm, distinctive harmonies. Upon their father’s untimely passing, Tangela, Joyce and Tawana decided to get back together to honor their father and continue the family tradition as The Wilkins Sisters.

TIJUANA HERCULES

Tijuana Hercules is a long-running Chicago-based hillbilly trance group. A cross between boundary-busting blues and tangled psychedelic roots music, TH’s groove has been known to cure dozens of maladies and prevent a few that have yet to be discovered by modern medicine. Fronted by singer/songwriter/guitarist John Vernon Forbes, the ever-evolving Tijuana Hercules has had many personnel changes, but the line-up has solidified over the past few years to create some of the band’s strongest work to date. Joining Forbes is Joe Patt on drums and Doug Abram on baritone saxophone.

JIMBO MATHUS

Hell-bent, devil-may-care, ‘honky-ton blues,’ as one music lover once called it – think Jimbo Mathus. The frenetic front man for cult status Squirrel Nut Zippers, Mississippi’s Mathus is known for outlandish talent and ever-inspired collaborations.

CATL

Catl are a rock n’ roll duo hailing from Toronto with a reputation for getting people off their asses to do a little drinkin’ and dancin’. They have released 5 full-length records to critical acclaim and toured extensively throughout the US, Europe & Canada since 2010. CATL features Jamie Fleming bashing away on his 40’s Gretsch, while Sarah Kirkpatrick holds down a steady, dirty groove on the 2-piece drum kit. The super-charged couple has been lauded for their intense live performances and engaging stage presence. “Delta-derived juke-joint party music. Ragged, raucous, irresistibly raunchy rhythm ‘n’ blues in the classic sense.” – Ben Rayner

 

deep blues fest

Experience real deep blues in the heart of the delta

All Festival Passes

Benefactor Passes

BUY TICKETS

Tickets for 2023 – Watch this space!

Benefactor and All Fest Passes on sale now. Single night tickets available at the door. 

DEEP BLUES FEST

Don’t miss out!

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