Libby, Polson host blues festivals

The blues are back.

Blues fans of all ages can hit Libby this weekend, Aug. 12-13, and Polson next weekend, Aug. 19-20, for two annual blues festivals.

Luke Venters, stage manager and board member for the Flathead Lake Blues Festival, explained that all the blues promoters in the region work out the scheduling on purpose so everyone can maximize their blues experiences.

“It’s the Northern Rockies Blues Tour,” Venters said. “It started last weekend in Noxon, and then goes to Libby this weekend and ends in Polson the weekend after that.

“Some of the bands do all the festivals, and some do one or two. Audiences get a new thing each time, and it’s a really cool opportunity for blues fans in the state.”

The Riverfront Blues Festival is back in Libby this year for their eighth annual event, featuring blues, brews and barbecue. The festival will kick off Friday, Aug. 12, at 6 p.m. and will close after midnight on Saturday, Aug. 13.

The lineup of performers includes the Austin Young Band, the Harlis Sweetwater Band, Jimmy D. Lane, the Chris O’Leary Band, Black Mountain Moan, the Hot Flash Blues Band, Cee Cee James and Phil Berkowitz.

The Austin Young Band of Colorado Springs, Colorado, will be one of the headline performers at the Riverfront Blues Festival. The band includes three young musicians: 21-year-old singer Austin Young, 23-year-old bass player Alex Goldberg and 25-year-old drummer Kowan Turner. The band has released three albums, “Yesterday is Gone,” “Live Toad” and “Blue as can Be.”

Young, who turned 21 on Monday, has been playing blues for more than a decade and listened to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton and Robert Johnson growing up.

Young said that his father was a blues drummer and guitar player for a band while Young was growing up, and he used to go to his shows to see him play. When Young’s father passed away earlier this year, Young channeled his grief into the band’s new album.

“I was interested in all forms of music, but blues was the one that I really connected to,” Young said.

Young is currently a senior at University of Denver, majoring in marketing with a minor in accounting history.

Young’s advice to people in Libby who may be interested in blues music is to “just start at the roots of blues music. Trace it over the span of the 21st century to see how it evolved.”

While there will be some newcomers this year during the festival, some returning bands will perform as well.

The Harlis Sweetwater Band of Orange County, California, is another headliner this year, and the front man, Harlis Sweetwater, is excited to return to Libby.

“We had a blast [last time]. It was so beautiful out there. Met a lot of good people,” Sweetwater said while recalling his first visit to Libby.

The Riverfront Blues Festival will be held rain or shine at the Riverfront Park Pavilion in Libby. The festival will go from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday and from noon to 1:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Food will be available at the festival, as well as a beer and wine selection.

Advance tickets are $20 for Friday, $25 for Saturday and $40 for a full weekend pass. Tickets at the gate will be $25 for Friday, $30 for Saturday and $50 for a full weekend pass. Children 12 and younger get in for free when attending with a paying adult.

Camping is available Friday and Saturday night at J. Neils campground for $10/night. Restrooms, showers and a shuttle to the stage are provided.

For tickets, directions and more information, visit www.riverfrontbluesfestival.com.

The Flathead Lake Blues Festival will return for its sixth annual event on Friday, Aug. 19, and Saturday, Aug. 20. It will be held rain or shine at Salish Point on Polson Bay (on the shore of Polson Bay between Sacajawea Park and KwaTaqNuk Resort).

This year’s lineup of performers includes Robin Barrett and Coyote Kings, The CD Woodbury Band, Polly O’Keary and The Rhythm Method, Randy Oxford’s All Star Slam, Blue Moon, Shuffle Bums, West Coast Women’s Blues Revue and headliners the Chris O’Leary Band.

“We have some great bands this year,” Venters said. “We try to fill it out with ... a mix of local, regional and national acts.

“These are really some of the best blues players in the world, and it’s cool to have them.”

Food and beverages will be available at the festival. Camping is also available for $10 for one night or $15 for two nights.

Advance tickets for the festival are $20 for Friday, $25 for Saturday and $40 for a full weekend pass. Tickets at the gate are $25 for Friday, $30 for Saturday and $50 for a full weekend pass. Children 12 and younger get in for free when attending with a paying adult.

For tickets, directions and more information, visit www.flatheadlakebluesfestival.com or www.facebook.com/FlatheadLakeBluesFestival.

“These events feature some stone-cold blues players,” Venters said. “Building these relationships and growing and learning and performing ... It becomes a big family.

“It’s hard work for the people putting on the event, but for the performers too ... Everyone really has to rise to the challenge. It’s pretty cool.”