Blues on Fox announces lineup with Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Nevilles

Kenny Wayne Shepherd and The Nevilles will headline Blues on the Fox, bringing a Louisiana flavor to the two-day music festival June 15 and 16 in downtown Aurora.

The 16th annual Blues on the Fox lineup also includes Shane Dwight, Shamekia Copeland, the Lee Boys and Chicago Blues: A Living History featuring Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch, Lurrie Bell and Carlos Johnson.

The opening day of Blues on the Fox runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 15, with gates to North River Street Park at New York and River streets opening at 5:30 p.m. and $5 tickets available only at the gate.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd will take the stage at 8:30 p.m., after an opening act at 6:30 p.m. by Shane Dwight, who has performed with musicians including B.B. King, Los Lonely Boys and Etta James.

The Nevilles start their show at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16. The Saturday schedule also includes Shamekia Copeland at 2:30 p.m., the Lee boys at 4:30 p.m. and Chicago Blues: A Living History at 6:30 p.m.

Gates open at 1:30 p.m. for the Saturday festivities, which run from 2 to 10 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for Saturday’s concerts and are only available at the entrance.

Blues on the Fox kicks off the Downtown Alive! Festival Series, which includes two other days of concerts near the backdrop of the Fox River — Retro Rock on the Fox July 14 and Jam on the Fox Aug. 18.

Retro Rock artists include The Village People as the headliner along with Hey Jimmy, ARRA and Chasing the Day. Jam on the Fox will bring southern rockers The Georgia Satellites to the stage along with Heartsfield and more acts to be announced.

All of the concerts in the Downtown Alive! Festival Series will be held in North River Street Park at New York and River streets just west of Hollywood Casino. The casino and the city of Aurora are part sponsors of the festival series, presented by the Paramount Theatre.