(DANA POINT, CA) – The Doheny Blues Festival is proud to announce the complete lineup of artists performing at the 22nd Annual event, taking place at Dana Point’s Sea Terrace Park (Pacific Coast Highway & Niguel Road) on May 18-19, 10am-9pm Saturday and 10am-8:30pm Sunday.
This year’s lineup will be headlined by international roots superstar Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, blues music royalty with the Taj Mahal Quartet and the Robert Cray Band, young guitarists Jonny Lang and the Marcus King Band, performances by the Allman Betts Band, Vintage Trouble, John Mayall with Carolyn Wonderland, North Mississippi Allstars, The Paladins, Roy Gaines’ Tribute to T-Bone Walker, Nick Moss Band with Dennis Gruenling, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Sue Foley, Southern Avenue, B.B. & The Blues Shacks from Germany, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer (Artist-At-Large), Lindsay Beaver, The Delgado Brothers, The 44s & Friends, GA-20, Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan, Johnny & Jaalene and more.
The Doheny Blues Festival features 26 performances during the weekend on three alternating stages, including the intimate Backporch Stage where fans can get up close and personal with their favorite artists, an eclectic selection of food and beverage offerings, a vendor promenade, VIP viewing areas, backstage Gold Lounge and community booths with fundraising opportunities for local non-profits. Weekend Passes are on sale now. 2-Day ticket prices range from $140 (GA Weekend) to $475 (GOLD Weekend) plus fees. Single day tickets will be available as the event draws closer, including at local outlets such as all Southern California Wahoos Fish Taco locations.
Beginning with his 1994 debut, Welcome To The Cruel World, Ben Harper released a string of eight studio albums over a decade and a half, featuring contributions from the Innocent Criminals, which established him as a singularly powerful songwriter and performer. Known for and expansive musical range, Harper has released two award-winning blues albums with harp master Charlie Musselwhite, including No Mercy In This Land which is nominated for a 2018 GRAMMY Award.
The award-winning festival moved to Sea Terrace Park in 2018 and was reimagined at its new seaside home, with more intimate performance areas, an array of food and beverage offerings, and involvement from many local businesses in the Dana Point community. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, yet adjustments to the layout and amenities offered will be incorporated in this year’s preparations.
“In many ways, 2018 was a new beginning for the Doheny Blues Festival, but despite all the challenges we faced, we were empowered by the support of the City of Dana Point and of course, the diehard music fans,” says Rich Sherman, founder and CEO. “This year’s incredible lineup is one of our strongest in our history and is sure to bring new visitors to the festival. We hope folks enjoy not only the music but the scenic beauty of Dana Point during the weekend.”
Dana Point offers a wide range of lodging options, including reduced festival rates at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott, Monarch Beach Resort, Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel and the DoubleTree Suites Doheny Beach. Visit the Doheny Blues Festival website for all the information and tickets.
