Blues & Barbecue
Madison Ribberfest releases band list
for 2021 festival
RoundAbout Madison to sponsor
amateur Backyard BBQ Blast
(June 2021) – The riverfront in Madison, Ind., will be again rocking to the soulful sound of blues and the smoky aroma of barbecue for the 19th annual Madison Ribberfest Barbecue & Blues presented by Koehler Tire. This two-day festival, Aug. 20-21 along the Ohio River in Madison features regional and national blues bands, barbecue competitions, family fun and more. It’s a fan favorite and was a 2016 Award Winner for Best of Indiana – Best Music Festival.
Fill up your plates, lick your fingers and settle in for the Craig Toyota Blues Bash – the best of live blues featuring nine great blues bands on Friday evening and all day Saturday. Ghost Town Blues Band will kick off Friday night at 6 p.m. with a combination of modern blues and Memphis attitude. The band will be followed by The Reverend Shawn Amos & The Brotherhood, bringing joyful blues and American Roots music. The evening entertainment will conclude with headliner John Mayall – “The Godfather of British Blues” and Blues Hall of Fame inductee by The Blues Foundation.
On Saturday, music starts with soulful voice artist The “Famous” Amy Noel Band at 11:30 a.m. Her band will be followed by The Revelators, Jay Jesse Johnson and The Joe Louis Walker Band with special guest Bruce Katz. Setting the stage up next will be blueswoman Shemekia Copeland, delivering powerful soul, R&B and blues. Tab Benoit, one of today’s most creative and skilled Blues artists, will top the night off as the headliner act. He’ll sure deliver an energetic and fun filled show of blues.
Along the riverfront, Friday morning through Saturday afternoon you can watch competitors in three of barbecue competitions: Kansas City Barbeque Society, the RoundAbout Madison Backyard BBQ Blast, and the Kidz “Q.”
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Photo courtesy Blues singer Tab Benoit will headline this year’s Madison Ribberfest Blues Bash on Aug. 21. |
Barbecue lovers get to see more than 45 professional barbecue teams from around the country compete in the Indiana State Championship Barbeque Cook-Off for cash and prizes and a chance to represent Indiana at the Kansas City Barbeque Society’s world championship.
On Friday, amateurs will compete in the RoundAbout Madison Backyard BBQ Blast. RoundAbout Madison stepped up to take over the sponsorship last year after the Madison Courier relinquished its sponsorship of the event since the festival began. Then the Ribberfest was canceled altogether last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So this will be the first year of the BBQ Blast under the RoundAbout Madison sponsorship. The free, monthly entertainment newspaper is in its 23rd year of publication, serving a 12-county region in southern Indiana and north central Kentucky.
The third barbecue event taking place will be the Kidz “Q” – a competition for youngsters at 9 a.m. Saturday at the riverfront gazebo.
No matter how you spell it — Barbeque, Barbecue or BBQ – it all tastes delish!
Presale wristbands are on sale for $30 with $10 in food coupons. This early bird special is sold online only until June 14. Starting June 15 through Aug. 1, wristbands will also be available at the Lanier-Madison Visitors Center at 601 W. First St. and at other locations throughout town after July 5.
Advance tickets will be $30 (without food coupons) from Aug. 2-19. Wristbands sold on Aug. 20-21 wristbands are $35 at the gate and online, good for both days. Credit card fees may apply for all wristband sales. Children 12 and under are free with a paid adult.
• For more information, visit www.madisonribberfest.com and watch social media for event updates.
