Grammy-winning Lucinda Williams joins Waterfront Blues Festival lineup

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Waterfront Blues Festival just added 25 new artists to its 2024 lineup, and it ain’t nothin’ to be blue about.

Grammy-winning Lucinda Williams is among the acts slated to take the stage, along with several local favorites, for the festival’s 37th year in Portland.

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Williams can no longer play guitar since suffering a stroke in 2020, but according to Williams, “a lot of people have told me, ‘I know you had a stroke, but I’ve never heard you sound better.’”

Grammy-nominated Margo Price will also join the roster over Fourth of July weekend. According to the Waterfront Blues website, Price’s “blend of rock and roll, psychedelic country, rhythm and blues, and even bright shiny pop, when combined with Price’s delicate vocals and unhurried delivery, come out sounding singularly her.”

The full Waterfront Blues Festival lineup:

“We had so much fun putting the initial lineup together this year, as we really wanted to push the boundaries of the genre and have something for every type of music lover,” Peter Dammann, Waterfront Blues Festival artistic director, said. “When you think about bluegrass, soul and Americana, they all have blues traditions woven in and it’s exciting to showcase new genres and bring new audiences to this year’s festival.”

This year’s festival will also serve a tribute to the beloved vocalist Linda Hornbuckle and pianist Janice Scroggins, a pair who inspired the Portland blues and jazz scene until their deaths in 2014.

Along with the world-class music, the Waterfront Blues Festival will feature local vendors offering food and beverages, as well as art exhibits, music memorabilia and a kids activities area.

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“The Waterfront Blues Festival is not just a music event; it’s a celebration of community, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to share in the joy of live music, dance, food, art, and all the things we love about Portland,” Christina Fuller, festival director of Waterfront Blues Festival, said. “For 37 years, this festival has brought families and friends to downtown Portland, making it a vibrant hub of fun and activity. It’s a tribute to the unifying power of live music and in-person events.”

Four-day passes for the event are for sale on the Waterfront Blues website. Prices start at $125, with general admission and several VIP options. Kids 12 and younger get in for free.

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