The original Lady A will play 2022’s Bradenton Blues Fest. Here’s a look at the lineup
The lineup for the 2022 Bradenton Blues Festival is officially here, and blues fans have a lot to be excited about.
This year’s performers include blues and southern rockers, a Zydeco act, several powerhouse vocalists and a host of bands from around the country putting their own spin on the blues genre.
Among them is Lady A, a Pacific Northwest blues singer who drew national attention in recent years as she fought for her stage name with the country band formerly known as Lady Antebellum. The country band changed its name to Lady A in 2020 in response to criticisms that their old moniker glorified the pre-Civil War, slave-holding South.
But the blues singer had already been using the name Lady A for decades. After negotiations over the name failed, the singer and the band launched dueling lawsuits, which were both dropped this week, multiple outlets report. The experience inspired the blues singer to release a song titled “My Name is All I Got.”
Headlining this year’s festival is Ana Popovic, a Serbian-born blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. Popovic’s sound, backed by a six-piece band, has garnered wide acclaim and top award nominations from the blues community.
This year will also mark the blues fest’s return to its traditional venue at the Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion; it was held in a limited capacity format at LECOM Park the last two years due to COVID-19.
Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, Feb. 22 on the Blues Fest website, with single or multi-day passes available, organizers Realize Bradenton announced this week. The festival typically sells out well in advance.
Here’s a look at who will grace the stage at the 2022 festival.
Bradenton Blues Fest opening night, Friday Dec. 2:
Gabe Stillman Band, 5-6 p.m.
Harper and Midwest Kind, 6:20-7:20 p.m.
Dikki Du & the Zydeco Krewe, 7:40-8:40 p.m.
Bradenton Blues Fest main event Saturday, Dec. 3:
- Lady A, 11 a.m.-noon
Dustin Arbuckle and the Damnations, 12:20-1:20 p.m.
Nora Jean Wallace, 1:40-2:40 p.m.
Albert Castiglia Band, 3-4 p.m.
Mike Zito Band, 4:10-5:10 p.m.
Blood Brothers (Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia), 5:10-6 p.m.
Ana Popovich, 6:10-7:30 p.m.
Bradenton Blues Brunch at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, Sunday Dec. 4:
- Artist to-be-announced, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Details: Blues Fest opening night is 5-8:40 p.m. Dec. 2. $20. Blues Fest main concert is 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Dec. 3. $55. Combo admission to both days is $65, or $135 for a front-stage ticket. Bradenton Riverwalk Pavillion at Rossi Park, 452 Third Ave. W., Bradenton. Bradenton Blues Brunch is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 4 at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, 101 Riverfront Blvd., Bradenton. Ticket price TBA.
Info: bradentonbluesfestival.org.
