2026 Mississippi Valley Blues Fest, September 18 and 19

Friday, September 18, and Saturday, September 19

LeClaire Park, 400 Beiderbecke Drive, Davenport IA

With award-winning, Billboard-charting, internationally touring artists performing on the banks of a mighty river, the Mississippi Valley Blues Fest returns to Davenport for its 41st incarnation on September 18 and 19, the LeClaire Park event – hosted by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society – featuring seven thrilling Main Stage concert sets, eight additionally incendiary events on the neighboring Pedigo-Jones Stage, and music lovers ages 25 and under admitted free.

Scheduled for Main Stage performances at the 2026 Blues Fest:

Stefan Hillesheim (Friday, September 18, 5 – 6:30 p.m.): German-born guitarist and vocalist Hillesheim has quickly become one of Chicago's rising blues talents. Known for his expressive slide guitar, soulful vocals, and original songwriting, Hillesheim blends traditional blues influences with a modern energy that's earned him appearances at festivals and clubs throughout the Midwest. Inspired by such legends as Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf, and Albert King, Hillesheim brings a dynamic live show built around heartfelt vocals, driving rhythms, and standout slide guitar. His performances strike a balance between honoring the roots of the blues while showcasing his own unmistakable style.

Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys featuring Westside Andy (Friday, September 18, 7 – 8:30 p.m.): Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Reverend Raven has been playing the blues since 1971, when seeing Freddie King perform at the Kinetic Theatre set him on his path. After serving in the Navy, he moved to Milwaukee and began a longtime friendship and musical collaboration with Madison Slim, harmonica player for Jimmy Rogers. Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys play traditional blues rooted in the Chicago sound, pairing Raven’s guitar and vocals with the harmonica of Westside Andy. Over the years, Raven has opened for artists including B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, Magic Slim and Elvin Bishop, while becoming a longtime fixture at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago.

John Németh (Friday, September 18, 9 – 10:30 p.m.): With a powerful voice and a sound rooted in blues and soul, Németh has spent more than two decades building one of the most acclaimed careers in contemporary blues. His journey took him from Idaho to San Francisco and eventually Memphis, developing a style that blends harmonica-driven blues, soul, funk and R&B. Along the way, Németh has earned 20 Blues Music Award nominations, including wins for Soul Blues Male Artist and Soul Blues Album for Memphis Grease. He also contributed four vocal tracks to Elvin Bishop’s Grammy-nominated The Blues Rolls On and most recently celebrated 20 years as a recording artist with the live album Live from the Fallout Shelter.

Shawn Holt & the Teardrops (Saturday, September 19, 2 – 3:30 p.m.): Holt grew up with the blues in his blood. The son of legendary bluesman Magic Slim, Holt began playing the blues at 17 and eventually joined his father’s famed band, the Teardrops, before stepping into the role of frontman following his father’s passing in 2013. That same year, Shawn Holt & the Teardrops released their debut album, Daddy Told Me, featuring five songs written by Holt along with two songs by his father. The album reached number one on the Living Blues radio chart and earned the band the 2014 Blues Music Award for Best New Artist Debut.

Memphis Rhythm Revue (Saturday, September 19, 4 – 5:30 p.m.): Memphis Rhythm Revue brings together three blues singer-songwriters from the heart of Memphis: Wyly Bigger, Jad Tariq, and Benton Parker. Each developed a solo career on the Memphis music scene before connecting around 2021 and becoming regular members of one another’s backing bands. Now they’ve turned that musical partnership into Memphis Rhythm Revue, combining their shared influences and original music into a sound built around rhythm & blues, soul and rock ’n’ roll. Bigger, Tariq, and Parker bring their individual talents together for a collaborative celebration of the sounds that made Memphis famous.

Big Bill Morganfield (Saturday, September 19, 6 – 7:30 p.m.): Morganfield was born into one of the most important legacies in blues history as the son of the legendary Muddy Waters, but he has spent his career forging a musical identity all his own. A singer, songwriter, and guitarist, Morganfield carries the traditions of Chicago blues forward while adding his own voice to the music. His 1999 debut album, Rising Son, reached number one on the Living Blues chart and earned him the W.C. Handy Award for Best New Artist. Across the albums that followed, Morganfield continued developing his distinctive baritone voice, slide guitar and songwriting while honoring the blues tradition that shaped him.

Shemekia Copeland (Saturday, September 19, 8 – 9:30 p.m.): Hailed by the Washington Post as "the greatest blues singer of her generation," Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. The multi-Grammy Award nominee is beloved and honored worldwide for the fearlessness, honesty, and humor of her revelatory songs, as well as for her winning, engaging personality. Copeland has won Living Blues and Blues Music Awards for Artist of the Year and Blues Blast magazine's Music Award for Female Blues Artist of the Year, and the Chicago Tribune said, “Copeland is the greatest female blues vocalist working today. There’s no mistaking the majesty of her instrument, nor the ferocity of her delivery.”

In addition to the Blues Fest's headlining musicians on the Main Stage, LeClaire Park's Pedigo-Jones (Tent) Stage will feature nine sets with a collection of gifted blues artists: Weary Ramblers (Friday, September 18, at 4, 6:30, & 8:30 p.m.); The Soul Searchers (Saturday, September 19, at 1, 3:30, 5:30, & 7:30 p.m.); and a tent jam hosted by Levee Town (Saturday, September 19, 9:30 p.m.).

As is traditional, this year's Blues Fest will also boast events in the free, drop-in music program BlueSkool, designed for young festival-goers. Free youth music clinics on Saturday, offered in partnership with West Music of Davenport, will feature Dustin Arbuckle at 3 p.m. and Big Bill Morganfield at 4 p.m., and will be followed by a Community Blues Jam led by Andrea Bunch at 5 p.m. Attendees are urged to bring their acoustic instruments and jam out.

Except for sealed water bottles. outside food and beverages are not permitted at Blues Fest, though there will be food and beverage vendors on site. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets, and LeClaire Park is wheelchair accessible, with paved paths throughout the festival grounds.

Admission to the 2026 Mississippi Valley Blues Fest is $20-25 on Friday, $30-35 on Saturday, and $45-55 for two-day passes, with ages 25 and under admitted free. Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and ages 18–25 must show a valid photo ID at the gate. For information on, and tickets to, the weekend event, contact the Mississippi Valley Blues Society at (563)322-5837 and MVBS.org.