Kalamazoo Blues Festival 2008

The Kalamazoo Valley Blues Association (KVBA) will host the 15th annual "Kalamazoo Blues Festival" in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan. The festival will be held on July 10 - 12, 2008. This event has grown into one of the premier festivals in the Midwest, and offers over two-dozen acts on two stages for hours upon hours of nonstop music throughout the three-day festival. Last year’s attendance exceeded 15,000 people.



The Kalamazoo Blues Festival is held in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo at the Arcadia Festival Site. The KVBA will lodge the national acts at the nearby Radisson Hotel. The festival's major sponsors include Imperial Beverages and WFAT radio, including their sister stations (some of the festival is simulcasted).



Thursday is acoustic night, which is dedicated to the solo musicians, duets, and acoustic trios. Past performers include Watermelon Slim, Chris Thomas King, and Paul Rishell & Annie Raines.



Friday and Saturday nights go "electric" in every sense of the word with 8 hours of music on Friday and 13 hours on Saturday - nonstop on alternating stages. Some of our headliners have included Bobby Rush, Kenny Neal, Little Milton, Marcia Ball, Rod Piazza, and Bernard Allison.



The Kalamazoo Blues Festival lineup includes national, regional, and local acts. National acts are contracted through their booking agents and provided with lodging. Regional and local acts are compensated in a range of $250 to $500 for a 50 minute set (roughly $75 per musician). These bands must arrange their own accommodations. All acts can sell merchandise and CDs and are welcome to the VIP hospitality tent.