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Blues Music in Atlanta

About the Blues Scene in Atlanta

Atlanta’s blues scene is as storied as the genre itself, rooted in raw emotion, rich traditions, and electrifying performances. From smoky clubs and local legends to national headliners and independent record shops, the blues continues to thrive across the city. Use this guide to catch upcoming shows, discover blues artists from Atlanta and beyond, and dive into “Blues and Beyond,” our long-running column by critic Hal Horowitz, covering the records, concerts, and personalities that keep the genre alive.

Critic’s Picks for Upcoming Blues Shows

See our list of all concert picks or the full list of CL critic's recommendations

LYLE LOVETT UP CLOSE: “SONGS & STORIES” at City Winery Atlanta

06/23/2026 8:00 PM

City Winery Atlanta

CRITIC'S PICK:
Wed. June 24
Lyle Lovett, City Winery - Veteran Americana singer/songwriter Lovett...

—See Recommendation

LYLE LOVETT UP CLOSE: “SONGS & STORIES” at City Winery Atlanta

06/24/2026 8:00 PM

City Winery Atlanta

CRITIC'S PICK:
Thurs. June 25
Lyle Lovett, City Winery - Veteran Americana singer/songwriter...

—See Recommendation

LYLE LOVETT UP CLOSE: “SONGS & STORIES” at City Winery Atlanta

06/25/2026 8:00 PM

City Winery Atlanta

CRITIC’S PICK
Thurs. June 25

Lyle Lovett, City Winery — Veteran Americana singer/songwriter...

—See Recommendation

Michelle Malone at Eddie's Attic

06/26/2026 7:00 PM

Eddie's Attic

CRITIC'S PICK:
Fri., June 26
Michelle Malone, Eddie's Attic - Malone, who needs no introduction...

—See Recommendation

Upcoming Blues Concerts in Atlanta

See the full concert and live music listings on our Blues Music Events Calendar

Lola's Jam at Northside Tavern

06/22/2026 10:00 PM

Northside Tavern

The Northside Monday night jam is dedicated to Lola Gully, a blues and R&B singer, keyboard player and Atlanta Blues legend. Musicians are inv...

—See Event

Fran's Jam at Fat Matt's

06/23/2026 7:00 PM

Fat Matt's Rib Shack

Fran's Jam

Weekly Tuesday at 7:00 pm

Local Music with special guests

—See Event

Ben Spotswood HOSTS OPEN MIC at Fat Matt's

06/23/2026 7:00 PM

Fat Matt's Rib Shack

Bring your instrument and play along some great bluesy Musicians

—See Event

LYLE LOVETT UP CLOSE: “SONGS & STORIES” at City Winery Atlanta

06/23/2026 8:00 PM

City Winery Atlanta

CRITIC'S PICK:
Wed. June 24
Lyle Lovett, City Winery - Veteran Americana singer/songwriter Lovett...

—See Event

Industry Night w Rachel Johnson & Backroad Blues at Blind Willie's

06/23/2026 8:00 PM

Blind Willie's

Live music at Blind Willie's.

—See Event

Nate Nelson at Fat Matt's

06/24/2026 7:00 PM

Fat Matt's Rib Shack

Nate Nelson

Weekly Wednesday at 7:00 pm

Live blues performance

—See Event

Blues Artists from Atlanta

For the full Atlanta directory, see the band and musician directory.

ATL Collective

This rotating cast of high-caliber players revisits classic albums. A simple premise and a blast from the past rooted in the present.

—See Band Bio

Larry Griffith Band

Larry was brought up in the inner city of Cincinnati, Ohio by a single parent along with nine other siblings. The dilapidated three tiered tenement li...

—See Band Bio

All The Locals

ATL based (est 2012), All The Locals, are shaped and molded out of the very bricks that make up their southern metropolis. Soulful backbone, a rock n ...

—See Band Bio

Frankie's Blues Mission

As the name implies, these gentlemen are on a mission:

Their purpose is to present the blues, jazz, R&B and zydeco in the best of the Afric...

—See Band Bio

Cody Matlock

Cody Matlock is a soul, funk, and R&B singer-songwriter/guitarist based in Atlanta and on the road playing guitar for the legendary Stax Recor...

—See Band Bio

Hank Bird and the Borderline Band

Hank Bird and The Borderline Band have been part of the Atlanta music scene for more than 20 years, performing a blend of rock, country, blues and R&a...

—See Band Bio

Uncle Sugar

Uncle Sugar is an Atlanta-based band known for its eclectic blend of blues, Americana, classic R&B, and rock, performing both original songs a...

—See Band Bio

Ronnie Bullock’s 5 Man Trio

Ronnie Bullock's Five Man Trio blends Atlanta’s vibrant musical energy with soulful, boundary-crossing soundscapes rooted in live instrumentation and ...

—See Band Bio

The Venus Kings

The Venus Kings are an original soul, funk, and blues band based in Atlanta, Georgia, formed in 2023. The group features Brandon Bolton on guitar, Nea...

—See Band Bio

Michelle Malone

No description provided

—See Band Bio

Hat On A Bed

Original, Psych/Americana/Blues/Lounge/Etc...

Georgia Local Spotlight

—See Band Bio

Blackfox

Ranging from hard rocking, almost punk bombast, gentle acoustic driven ballads, and psych-ambient rambles, the newly released, limited edition, self-t...

—See Band Bio

Mudcat

A tremendous slide guitarist, and most of all a God-gifted entertainer. I have witnessed him light up packed houses at the Great American Music Hall i...

—See Band Bio

Brandon Reeves

Brandon Reeves is a Georgia based acoustic performer who uses original songs, story telling, fingerpicking guitar, foot tapping, and harmonica tooting...

—See Band Bio

Hughes Taylor

An old soul hailing from Macon Georgia USA, Hughes Taylor was immediately drawn to the blues when he first picked up the guitar. Two decades later, he...

—See Band Bio

William Reed & The Juke Joint Dukes

William “Blues Man” Reed and the Juke Joint Dukes play old-school Blues. If you like Muddy Waters, Albert King, and early BB King this is the band fo...

—See Band Bio

Venues Known for Blues Music

For our full music venue directory see our list of music venues

Blind Willie's

A local blues, jazz, and roots institution that's been around for more than 25 years. The North Highland Avenue storefront, with its signature guitar-...

—See Venue and Events

Cajun Blues Seafood Restaurant

Cajun Blues is just that! Great Cajun seafood and some of Atlanta's finest blues players all under one roof. Wednesday nights feature an open mic host...

—See Venue and Events

Fat Matt's Rib Shack

Live blues and the love of good barbecue bring people from all over town to the small, boxy barbecue joint. An Atlanta landmark, Fat Matt's turns out ...

—See Venue and Events

Northside Tavern

This legendary dive bar in West Midtown is Atlanta's home for live blues. The weekly lineup includes a Monday night jam and a regular Wednesday night ...

—See Venue and Events

Red Light Cafe

The bohemian living room serves as the city's center of bluegrass and Americana. The venue hosts a variety of other musical performers as well, plus d...

—See Venue and Events

Blues and Beyond by Hal Horowitz

Hal Horowitz's Blues and Beyond

Blues & Beyond: Critic’s Picks for May, 2026

05/01/2026 4:00 AM

Hal Horowitz, covering the records, concerts, and personalities that keep the Blues alive.

—Read Article

CRITIC'S PICKS: Hal Horowitz recommends for December, 2025

12/01/2025 3:34 PM

Horowitz's passion for Americana, roots, and blues music has won him many prestigious awards for his insightful coverage of the genres in Atlanta and ...

—Read Article

BLUES & BEYOND: How blue can you get?

06/01/2024 12:00 PM

Some of Atlanta’s finest new roots acts take the Norcross stage for this year’s Bluesberry & Beer Festival

—Read Article

Blues & Beyond

06/01/2024 12:00 AM

Hal Horowitz offers an overview of blues, Americana, folk, and even some rock ’n’ roll coming to Atlanta bars and clubs.

—Read Article

BLUES & BEYOND: Georgia on their minds

05/01/2024 6:24 PM

William Bell, Jontavious Willis, and Blackberry Smoke gain international respect with their Georgia-based soul, blues, and Southern

—Read Article

BLUES & BEYOND: Play blues, do good

04/01/2024 1:40 PM

BreezeFest exemplifies Carlos Capote’s generosity

—Read Article

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