Complete 2023 Festival Schedule Announced

The New York State Blues Festival is excited to announce its completed line-up for their 2023 event happening June 15 – 17 at Chevy Court at the NYS Fairgrounds (Syracuse, NY).

Headlining night one of the 3 day fest will be blues rock guitar duo Blood Brothers featuring Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia on Thursday June 15. On Friday night June 16, Memphis based group, Southern Avenue, will bring their deeply soulful funky grooves to the evening’s top spot. The long running festival, founded in 1992, saves the happening’s biggest name for last though, as blues legend Buddy Guy, brings his Damn Right Farewell tour in for the event’s close. Guitar powerhouse, Samantha Fish and her group featuring Jesse Dayton, will be touring with Buddy and will play the support spot just prior to the blues journeyman. For more information about festival performers please visit nysbluesfest.com.

In addition to the headlining artists, an impressive roster of support acts has been added to the 3 day event including national touring acts Jason Ricci & the Bad Kind, Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers, Brandon Santini, and former David Bowie and John Lennon guitarist Earl Slick will perform with local favs, The Ripcords. Also included in the stacked line-up are several great local groups including Brownskin Band, Los Blancos, Terry Mulhauser & Friends, Fillmore Blues Band, Nate Gross Band, The Neil Minet Band, and the festival student group Blues Ignition.

Side stage acoustic acts will keep things rolling during main stage change overs and will include performances by Damdog Duo, Midnite Mike, Paul LeClair, and Raedwald Howland-Bolton.

For complete schedule visit nysbluesfest.com/schedule.

A variety of food vendors will be onsite and wine & beer will be sold. Retail & craft vendors will also be set up market style for fest-goers’ shopping pleasure. A list will be provided at a later date.

The festival is free to attend, with all ages welcomed. Parking in the Fairground’s Brown Lot is available for $10 per car and $5 per motorcycle. ADA parking is in the Emerald Lot. Proceeds from the parking fees help to offset expenses and to keep the New York State Blues Festival admission-free. Lawn chairs are welcomed.

For those looking to enhance their experience, ProAct Blues Club VIP passes are currently available. Early Bird pricing is in effect until 11am Friday, April 7. In addition the festival is offering onsite camping at the Fairground’s Empire RV Park with two and three night packages available. Also, area participating hotels are offering discounted rates for festival attendees. For more information on VIP packages, RV sites, and hotel reservations, please visit our website at nysbluesfest.com/vip-rv-hotels.

The New York State Blues Festival is one of the largest FREE blues events in the Northeast. This annual 3 day musical celebration, showcases a collection of regional and national artists from multiple genres, all with roots steeped in tradition and vision, and arranges them for a continuous river of music.

The mission of the NYS Blues Festival is to preserve, protect and promote blues music and culture. The Syracuse, NY festival entertains while educating on the role of the blues in the development of popular music in the US and around the world.

Thursday June 15

• 4:00pm – Gate Opens
• 5:30pm – Fillmore Blues Band
• 7:15pm – Brandon Santini
• 9:00pm – Blood Brothers ft. Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia

Friday June 16

• 3:00pm – Gate Opens
• 4:00pm – The Neil Minet Band
• 5:00pm – Terry Mulhauser & Friends
• 6:15pm – Los Blancos
• 7:45pm – Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers
• 9:30pm – Southern Avenue

Saturday June 17

• 12:00pm – Gate Opens
• 1:00pm – Blues Ignition
• 2:10pm – Nate Gross Band
• 3:30pm – Brownskin Band
• 4:50pm – Earl Slick & the Ripcords
• 6:10pm – Jason Ricci & the Bad Kind
• 7:45pm – Samantha Fish ft. Jesse Dayton
• 9:30pm – Buddy Guy

Also featuring DAMDOG Duo (Thursday), Midnite Mike (Friday), Paul LeClair, and Raedwald Howland-Bolton (Saturday) on the side stage!