Rain, Rhythm, and a Final Farewell
Millennium Park hosted one of the strongest Chicago Blues Fests in recent years. From June 6 through June 9, the Millennium Park Shell became a living archive of blues history, present energy, and future sound.
Saturday’s rain was not enough to stop the blues — steady, loud, and relentless. Gear got soaked. Shoes filled with mud. But nobody left. The Tarps came out, umbrellas popped up, and the crowd danced and grooved the rain only made it better.
Chicago didn’t flinch. The blues don’t pause for weather.Buddy Guy’s Final Show
On Sunday, Buddy Guy took the main stage for what may be his final Blues Fest performance. 87 years old, still bending strings and breaking hearts. It wasn’t polished — it was raw. And it landed harder because of it.
- Vanessa Collier brought full-stage firepower — vocals, sax, and control.
- Southern Avenue had the crowd moving through the mud like it was ritual.
The Side Stages Had No Filler
Rosa’s Lounge and the Mississippi Juke Joint stages delivered some of the best sets of the weekend. Local veterans and new blood trading solos with zero flash. No cameras. No crowd filters. Just music and sweat.
Chicago doesn’t just host the blues. It defines them. 2024 reminded us of that. The rain, the legends, the grit — it all added up to something honest.
About The Author
