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Blues Music in Atlanta

• About the Blues Scene in Atlanta
• Critic’s Picks for Upcoming Blues Shows
• Upcoming Blues Concerts in Atlanta
• Blues Artists from Atlanta
• Venues Known for Blues Music
• Blues and Beyond by Hal Horowitz
• Explore More Atlanta Music Genres

THE CROSSROADS: The legend of Robert Johnson is strongly linked to this Clarksdale, MS intersection. PHOTO CREDIT: kirkikis - stock.adobe.com

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

John Nemeth at Blind Willie's

05/02/2026 9:00 PM

Blind Willie's

CRITIC'S PICK:
Sat., May 2
John Nemeth, Blind Willie's - A multiple nominee for various Blues...

—See Recommendation

Brandon Santini at Blind Willie's

05/08/2026 9:00 PM

Blind Willie's

CRITIC'S PICK:
Fri., May 8
Brandon Santini, Blind Willie's - Harpist/singer Santini was already...

—See Recommendation

Cristina Vane at Eddie's Attic

05/16/2026 7:00 PM

Eddie's Attic

CRITIC'S PICK:
Sat., May 16
Cristina Vane, Eddie's Attic - Bluegrass, blues, rockabilly, folk and...

—See Recommendation

Zach Person at Avon Theater

05/22/2026 8:00 PM

Avon Theater

CRITIC'S PICK:
Fri., May 22
Zach Person, Avon Theatre - Let's Get Loud, the title of blues rocker...

—See Recommendation

Buffalo Nichols at Eddie's Attic

05/27/2026 9:00 PM

Eddie's Attic

CRITIC'S PICK:
Wed., May 27
Buffalo Nichols, Eddie's Attic - Some artists take many years, even...

—See Recommendation

Lee Roy Parnell (duo) at Red Clay Music Foundry

05/29/2026 8:00 PM

Eddie Owen presents: Red Clay Music Foundry

CRITIC'S PICK:
Fri., May 29
Lee Roy Parnell Duo, Eddie Owen Presents at Red Clay - The virtuoso...

—See Recommendation

Upcoming Blues Concerts in Atlanta

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

Cash's Juke Joint at Blind Willie's

05/01/2026 9:00 PM

Blind Willie's

Live music at Blind Willie's.

—See Event

DividedBy5 at Northside Tavern

05/01/2026 9:30 PM

Northside Tavern

No description provided

—See Event

John Nemeth at Blind Willie's

05/02/2026 9:00 PM

Blind Willie's

CRITIC'S PICK:
Sat., May 2
John Nemeth, Blind Willie's - A multiple nominee for various Blues...

—See Event

Johnny Norwood Blues Band at Northside Tavern

05/02/2026 9:30 PM

Northside Tavern

No description provided

—See Event

Thunderbolt Grease Slappers at Blind Willie's

05/03/2026 6:30 PM

Blind Willie's

Live music at Blind Willie's.

—See Event

Uncle Sugar at Northside Tavern

05/03/2026 9:00 PM

Northside Tavern

Uncle Sugar: Playing seriously tasty Blues and Americana. Original songs and selections from Johnny Cash to the Three Kings ( BB, Freddie, and Albert)...

—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

Michelle Malone

No description provided

—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

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

Hat On A Bed

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

Georgia Local Spotlight

—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

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

Tanglewood Tonic

The stage transforms to the living room as Beth Casner, Roger Gregory, and Nick Johnson play old blues, gospel, and country tunes.

—See Band Bio

Mudcat & The Piedmont Playboys

Danny ‘Mudcat’ Dudeck is an internationally known gospel and bluesman continuing the traditions of the early blues pioneers while adding his own Mudca...

—See Band Bio

Jackson & The Nightcaps

Jackson and the Nightcaps are the next big thing when it comes to Chicago and Jump blues.

—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

Stoney Brooks

Stoney Brooks is a skilled harmonica player deeply rooted in blues music. His journey began in 1974 when he was captivated by the power of the harmoni...

—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

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: Darwin's evolution

02/05/2019 5:24 PM

Suburban blues and roots music fans get served, ABS raises donations

—Read Article

BLUES & BEYOND: Still laid back

09/03/2019 11:22 AM

Tommy Talton reflects on Gregg Allman’s classic album and tour

—Read Article

BLUES & BEYOND: Where do we go from here?

06/03/2020 6:00 PM

Now everyone has the blues

—Read Article

BLUES & BEYOND: Georgia songbird sings sweet Southern soul

06/30/2020 1:34 PM

EG Kight’s ‘Trio Sessions’ keeps her diverse sound lean, never mean

—Read Article

BLUES & BEYOND: 2020, the year everyone got the blues

12/07/2020 6:21 PM

Recapping the last 12 months of uncertainty

—Read Article

BLUES & BEYOND: Born under a good sign

04/06/2021 11:54 AM

Recent National Heritage Fellow William Bell’s well never runs dry

—Read Article

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