Blast Furnace Blues Rocking Return to ArtsQuest
10th annual event, presented by Highmark Blue Shield takes place Friday, July 21 to Sunday, July 23, 2023 at SteelStacks campus.
BETHLEHEM, Pa., April 21, 2023— Blast Furnace Blues Festival, presented by Highmark Blue Shield, will return to ArtsQuest’s SteelStacks campus on Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23. This decade-long event will feature three free days of live music for the community to enjoy while honoring this great American genre’s history.
“I could not be more excited for the entire lineup of the Blast Furnace Blues Festival this summer,” said Patrick Brogan, ArtsQuest Chief Programming Officer. “Three nights of headliners featuring the southern blues & roots of Bywater Call led by Meghan Parnell’s engaging vocals; the soulful sounds of the Sensational Barnes Brothers which will make you feel like you are Memphis TN at a Stax recording studio; and Toronzo Cannon’s Chicago blues guitar returning to SteelStacks.”
Levitt Pavilion Presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network headliners include: (shows start at 7:30 p.m.)
Bywater Call (July 21) -, Powerhouse 7-piece Southern Soul, Roots Rock band from Toronto, nominated for the Maple Blues and Independent Blues Award and has extensively toured Europe.
The Sensational Barnes Bros. (July 22) – As Pop Matters states, “The brothers run through a spectrum of moods and modes in their gospel soul, often bridging the gap between the Soul Stirrers and Stax, all the while keeping a local flavor.”
Toronzo Cannon (July 23) – Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon defies all expectations. The blistering guitarist, soulful vocalist, singular songwriter and city bus driver fuses his muscular, rock-inspired blues guitar playing with his original, keenly detailed slice-of-life songs, blazing his own blues trail.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, July 21:
Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 6 to 7:25 p.m. –
Duwayne Burnside and BC Blue from 9 to 11 p.m.
Saturday, July 22:
Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 4 to 5:30 p.m. – The Nighthawks
Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 6 to 7:25 p.m. – Lionel Young
Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 9 to 11 p.m. – Chris Pierce
Sunday, July 23:
Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 4 to 5:30 p.m. – John Primer
Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square 6 to 7:25 p.m. –Kelly Bell Band
“We are thrilled to team up with ArtsQuest on the 10th annual Blast Furnace Blues,” commented Highmark Blue Shield Vice President of Community Affairs, Kathleen McKenzie. “This weekend-long festival is just one of many that celebrates a variety of musical styles and genres, all possible through ArtsQuest. Listening to Blues performers on a summer evening, while enjoying the SteelStacks campus will make for a great weekend.”
Visit steelstacks.org for additional information.
Blast Furnace Blues is made possible by presenting partner Highmark Blue Shield and sponsors Adams Outdoor, Coca-Cola Bottling of the Lehigh Valley, Jack Daniels, Service Electric Cable TV Communications and WDIY.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission
is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational
experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for
our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of
performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth
programming and cultural events.
Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, approximately 50 percent of which are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region. ArtsQuest is a proud member of NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association and NATO, the National Association of Theatre Owners.
