Blues on the Mesa Festival Will Pack a Punch

Bring on the blues at the star-studded Blues on the Mesa festival.

blues on the mesa outdoor concert musicians composite — Alvin Youngblood Hart, Cass Clayton and Peaches Embry (left to right) to perform at Blues on the Mesa.

Music fans will be singing the blues—in the best way possible—thanks to the upcoming Blues on the Mesa festival. The one-day event boasts a star-studded lineup and a powerhouse finale to Gold Hill Mesa’s annual outdoor concert series, Music on the Mesa. Blues on the Mesa takes place Oct. 2 from 12-6 p.m. with an after-party to follow until 9 p.m.

With a unique twist for a music festival, Blues on the Mesa kicks off with a Grammy Award-winning artist: Alvin Youngblood Hart. It’s a little like eating your dessert first, and Hart’s soulful, acoustic blues voice and brass-knuckled guitar chops will be a sweet treat. Hart’s genre-busting music has been featured in various films, including Martin Scorsese’s series The Blues, and his albums Big Mama’s Door and Down in the Alley received critical acclaim. Bluesman Taj Mahal once said about Hart, “The boy has got thunder in his hands.”

Next on the bill is the Cass Clayton Band, led by powerhouse vocalist and soulful guitar player Ms. Clayton. The band brings a well-blended combination of blues, rock, funk and soul to their music and performances.

Buddy Whittington continues the show with his signature electric guitar. The true Texas guitar hero played alongside legendary John Mayall for 15 years.

Delores Scott and three of Colorado’s own blues divas—Jessica Rogalski, Jill Watkins and Peaches Embry—take to the stage as Ladies Sing the Blues. Backed by the band Mojomama, this collective will be its own show within the show.

More Grammy power will provide the closing bookend, thanks to Janiva Magness, a Grammy Award-nominated, B.B. King Entertainer of the year and Koko Taylor award recipient. Magness’ blues and soul career includes 15 albums, various awards and 26 Blues Music Awards nominations.

Besides the impressive lineup, Blues on the Mesa will also host some tasty local food trucks, including Tepex Mexican Cuisine, Smokin’ J’s BBQ, Road Tisserie and Stan’s Funnel Cakes. Guests can wash down their food and enjoy the music with a cold one from the event’s participating breweries too.

Gates will open at 11 a.m. on Oct. 2 on the grassy lawn behind Gold Hill Mesa’s community center at 142 S. Raven Mine Dr. Tickets for the festival and follow-up after party can be purchased at bluesonthemesa.com. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Pikes Peak Blues Community.