Elle King, Aaron Neville headline Blues on the Fox in Aurora
In previous years, Aurora's annual Blues on the Fox weekend concert festival would start mellow and work its way up to the big-time performers.
This year, organizers are doing something "a little different," according to Jim Jarvis, RiverEdge Park's vice president of programming and sales.
"We're kicking off Friday night with the 2018 winner of the best female contemporary blues artist Samantha Fish," he said. "We first had her in 2014 and she came in and blew the doors off everybody that day."
Jarvis said Fish's rock-edged guitar is the perfect lead-in to Friday night headliner Elle King, who, herself, is known to have a gritty style.
"Elle King is 110 percent blues when she plays it. She's an amazing guitarist," Jarvis said. "She's got gritty, heartfelt, rip-your-heart-out lyrics that she can sing. And kicking off Blues with Samantha Fish and Elle King is going to set the tone for an incredible weekend."
The annual Blues on the Fox event, which is in its 22nd year, pays tribute to musicians John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson, Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy and others who recorded their historic sound at the Leland Hotel in downtown Aurora.
"We live in some volatile, crazy times and it's nice having something like this to kick off the summer and forget about that stuff," Jarvis said. "Come forget about all of it. Love the music and dig it and dance and sing."
Most of Saturday's lineup is filled with artists such as Brandon "Taz" Niederauer and Toronzo Cannon, who Jarvis said epitomize the next generation as they lead up to Saturday's headliner, three-time Grammy Award winner Aaron Neville.
He said the 14-year-old Niederauer is "already a virtuoso on the guitar."
"Dude is a legitimate shredder," Jarvis said. "He's going to be the future of blues."
CTA bus driver turned international blues star Toronzo Cannon also will rock the stage Saturday.
"His songs are inspired by everything he's been watching while driving that bus," Jarvis said. "He's seen it all."
Neville takes the stage at 9 p.m.
"He's blues. He's soul. He's funk. He's gonna tear the house down," Jarvis said.
Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday at RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway. Tickets cost $30 and children 12 and younger are free with an adult.
When asked for any advice Jarvis may have for first-time attendees, he said the rules are simple.
"Just get here. Bring your comfortable lawn chair and a soft cooler and lay back and let yourself absorb the entire atmosphere," he said. "I truly mean that. Be a part of it. Have conversations with people. It's a great place to people watch."
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22nd annual Blues on the Fox festival
Where: Aurora's RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway
When: Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday, June 15, and 2 p.m. Saturday, June 16
Cost: $30
Info: riveredgeaurora.com or (630) 896-6666