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CommentsA New Riff for Bluesfest
The Greater Ozarks Blues Festival marks the passing of summer as surely as ArtsFest signals the arrival of spring, and it’s just around the corner. This year’s event, September 5 and 6, features a number of improvements (and a flashy new sponsor) after last year’s weather washout. Here’s what you need to know before you break out your jammin’ pants.
New location: Bass Pro
Like a number of big local festivals, Bluesfest has moved its operations from Jordan Valley Field to Bass Pro’s north parking lot, which local blues fixture and talent buyer for Bluesfest Monte Lorts says will allow for a ton more seating, more vendors, and more exposure for the event. “It’s easier to tell people to go to Bass Pro, the corner of Campbell and Sunshine,” says Lorts. Organizers were also fighting possible noise issues downtown, as well, since lofts have recently begun going up near the old Bluesfest stage site.
Now playing on the second stage…
In the past, Bluesfest’s lineup has been limited to one local band; generally the winner of the Blues Society of the Ozarks’ annual Memphis Bound competition. This year’s winner, the ABS Band, will indeed open the festivities on Friday evening, but more local talent can be found Saturday on the new Second Stage, which will feature live music whenever the mainstage acts are switching sets. The anchor on the Second Stage is actually Nashville’s Josh Garrett and the Bottom Line, but local bar-rock fixtures Gordo and Trash Angels will also have half-hour sets (2:30 and 4:30 on Saturday, respectively).
New acts
As usual, the schedule is stacked, but the band that has Lorts nearly babbling with excitement is JJ Grey and MOFRO, a blues act he says “you need to be here” to hear at 9:30 Friday night. Grey is a centerpiece in what blues fans hope is a solid and popular younger generation of stars. To draw out that demographic, admission to Friday night’s Bluesfest sets is only $10 with a college ID, $20 for Saturday ($10 below normal gate price). ABS Band, Trampled Under Foot and Tommy Castro, playing his fourth Bluesfest, open for JJ Grey and MOFRO. Saturday’s lineup (in order) is The Cate Brothers, Teeny Tucker, Deanna Bogart, Delta Groove Blues Revue and John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers (the British Mayall, Lorts says, was a mentor to Eric Clapton).
Other stuff to know
Food and beer are a huge part of Bluesfest, and both will be available in abundance on both days of Bluesfest… Bluesfest is a fundraiser for three local organizations: The Blues Society of the Ozarks, Springfield Little Theatre, and the Springfield Symphony… Entrances are located in the northwest and southwest corners of Bass Pro’s north lot (along Sunshine, across from McDonald’s).
UGO
Greater Ozarks Blues Festival, presented by Verizon Wireless
September 5 (gates at 4:30 p.m.) and September 6 (gates at 12 p.m.)
$20 Friday only, $30 Saturday only, $35-$40 for both days
Bass Pro Shops north parking lot (Campbell and Sunshine)
Advance passes ($35 for two days) available at Stick It In Your Ear, Kaleidoscope, Springfield Brewing Company, Springfield Little Theatre,
and the Springfield Symphony Office.
Full Schedule:
Friday
Gates: 4:30 p.m.
ABS Band: 5:15 p.m.
Trampled Under Foot: 6:15 p.m.
Tommy Castro Band: 7:45 p.m.
JJ Grey and MOFRO: 9:30 p.m.
Saturday
Gates: 12 p.m.
The Cate Brothers: 1 p.m.
Teeny Tucker: 3 p.m.
Deanna Bogart Band: 5 p.m.
Delta Groove Blues Revue: 7 p.m.
John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers: 9:30 p.m.
Second Stage schedule (Saturday only):
Josh Garrett & the Bottom Line: 12 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9 p.m.
Gordo: 2:30 p.m.
Trash Angels: 4:30 p.m.
