The Baton Rouge Blues Foundation will present the 2021 Baton Rouge Blues Festival in downtown Baton Rouge on Saturday, September 18, from noon to 10 p.m.

The free-to-the-public, family-friendly festival located in and around Galvez Plaza and North Boulevard will feature internationally recognized performers and local blues legends alike, including Robert Finley, Kenny Neal, Nikki Hill, Jonathon Boogie Long, Sam Hogan & The Rhythm Ramblers, Lil Ray Neal, Alabama Slim, Smokehouse & Mamie Porter, Little Jimmy Reed, Josh Garrett, Erica Falls, Lilli Lewis Project and more.

Finley is the headliner act. A native son of Winnsboro, La., he has captured the attention of blues fans around the world with his recent release of Sharecropper’s Son, produced by Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys. Although Finley has long been a potent artist, for most of the past 20 years, after blindness led to semi-retirement, he has mostly performed at small venues in northwestern Louisiana.

While the festival is still free to the general public, a VIP Experience Pass is available for $125, which includes complimentary food and beverages, a private bar and bathrooms, and an exclusive area to mingle, dance or sit and watch the performances.

The Baton Rouge Blues Festival & Foundation is releasing a commemorative pin celebrating the 2021 Baton Rouge Blues Festival. By purchasing this pin, attendees have an opportunity to invest in the future of the festival and the swamp blues legacy. Pins will be available for purchase through the festival for a $10 donation. Additionally, the 2021 commemorative poster, designed by Baton Rouge-based artist, Krist Norsworthy, will be available for purchase on the festival’s website in early August.

A Spotify playlist of the featured performers is available here.

Originating in 1981, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival is one of the oldest free blues festivals in America. In order to keep the festival free, the festival appreciates support of participating vendors and requests that no outside food or drink be brought to the event. All revenue generated from the festival goes toward the mission of the Blues Foundation to help continue the goal to promote, preserve and celebrate the swamp blues music native to Baton Rouge.

For more information, and to purchase VIP passes, visit here.