Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival: Three days of rock, blues and roots music
In its third year, the Chicago Bluegrass and Blues fest (CBBF) brings the finest rock, soul, roots and blues acts to three venues throughout the city. This year promises to be even more spectacular with three days of star-studded performances.
The fest started three years ago but has since grown in size and days. Their concept takes the traditional outdoor summer fest and mimics it in an indoor setting. Every year new and old bands, singers, songwriters and legendary acts perform for thousands at different venues for 30 hours of live music. This year showcases acts ranging from newbie group Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, who’ll headline the second night, to David “Honeyboy” Edwards, the iconic Delta Bluesman who at 95-years-old, is still going strong.
The fest kicks off the night of December 3rd at the Double Door with Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons, local soulful act How Far to Austin and three other bands. The next day, the fest begins in the early afternoon and goes late into the night with over 20 bands performing instruments like the banjo, sousaphone, harmonica, trumpet and the fiddle onstage during the 12-hour period.
The headliner for the night will be L.A collective Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros with 13 members strong. Lead singer Alex Ebert began the group a couple of years ago and concocted the mythical figure named Edward Sharpe. With the release of last year’s debut album Up from Below, the group has become a fan favorite across the world. Helping the Zeros will be 70's throwback Vermont band, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, who'll hit the stage along with diverse acts Sexfist, Honeyboy Edwards, Van Ghost and the Last Banjo Standing contest.
CBBF concludes on Sunday, December 5th, at Lincoln Hall with ska/reggae group, the Skatalites, performing on a bill with six other local and national groups. Besides the live music, the fest hosts activities like a pickin’ circle, a live-art exhibition and raffles that surely will lend itself to a rockin’ good time.
Posted by Garin Pirnia
