Sat 7/12
The city of Kent is a bustling music town, packed with bars, club and restaurants that host bands and performers regularly. And from time to time, the city hosts a festival where all those venues book music on the same day/evening, giving people the chance to cruise around town and enjoy a full day of local talent.
The weekend, it’s holding its 15th annual Kent Blues Fest, with some music as early as noon, and continuing until the wee hours, offering free live music all over town. And each place books one band so if you have a favorite you can get a full set or a couple of sets.
Being called a “blues fest” doesn’t mean all the bands are strictly blues. There are eclectic singer/songwriters like Taylor Lamborn and rockers like the Ray Flanagan Trio. But you can also check out veteran blues ensembles and musicians such as Delta blues slide guitarist Austin Walkin’ Cane, Bob Frank’s acoustic blues, the long-running Armstrong Bearcat Band, Robert Lockwood Jr’s, former harmonica player Wallace Coleman, and Gene Schwartz & the G-Force, featuring the bassist who used to play with his legendary guitarist brother, the late Glenn Schwartz, or newer groups such as 8-piece blues rockers Xtra Crispy or teenage rock band Stakhouse.
Will Kent’s legendary Numbers Band be playing? Oh, come on – what do you think? Catch them at the Venice Café from 8:30-midnight.
Find a full schedule here.