Kingfish, Mavis Staples, Antone’s Allstars, and More Reviews From Austin Blues Festival 2025
Soul and jam sessions galore at Moody Amphitheater
Reviewed by The Music Team, Fri., May 2, 2025
Right as rain (pun intended), Austin Blues Festival and Austin Psych Fest braved spring showers and humidity when they returned to the Moody Amphitheater and Far Out Lounge, respectively, last weekend. The Chronicle music team split up to catch shredders of the soulful and psychedelic varieties at both events; read our reviews here, and find more musings – plus full Austin Blues Festival and Austin Psych Fest photo galleries – online. Also check out our missives from Austin Psych Fest.
Taj Farrant Shreds for Every Generation
Taj Farrant isn’t your average 15-year-old. His face-melting guitar solos mirror that of a seasoned blues guitarist, and his jam-packed, intercontinental performance schedule rivals that of a veteran tourer. Making a stop at Austin Blues Festival on Saturday, the Australian’s one hour-and-two-minute-long show conjured the blues gods, rallying a spellbound audience despite rain just 30 minutes prior. A turquoise button-up shirt and black fedora atop a curious set of locs comprised the teen’s show garb for the performance, which cut originals like “Freight Train” with covers such as Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Tightrope” and Eric Johnson’s “Cliffs of Dover.” Swapping a gold Kiesel guitar for a cherry red Gibson before the penultimate track, he explained, “This was my first guitar ever ... this has never been on tour and this is the first show in America it’s playing,” and then dove into his original “Mumma Raised a Man.” With a cover of Gary Moore’s “Parisienne Walkways” bringing the midday set to a close, it was clear Farrant made an impression as audience members uttered, “He’s how old?” – Catalina Perez
Antone’s AllStars’ Soulful Soundscapes
Yearning electric guitar riffs, soaring vocal octaves, and an eclectic symphony of brassy saxophones, trumpets, organs, and bass guitars comprised Antone’s Allstar Jam on Saturday night. The stage overflowed with talent as blues special guests Soul Man Sam, Kam Franklin, Jake Andrews, and Lil’ Ed Williams took turns under the spotlight, backed by a powerful ensemble of organs, drums, and the Texas Horns. Each artist brought a distinct flavor to the set, showcasing a variety of vocal prowess and dexterous fingers on five strings. Decked out in a variety of gold, lime green, and royal blue accessories, the only similarity between each artist was the contorted look upon their faces as they created soulful soundscapes, the undeniable rhythm crafting an atmosphere of dance and pleasure. Soul Man Sam did exactly as his name suggests, waving a wooden cane as his voice rose and fell in volume and rhythm, while Andrews’ guitar prowess brought couples to their feet near the stage. From tender, slow-burning ballads to gritty, high-energy shuffles, the night celebrated both long-established artists and those still carving their path. – Angelina Liu
North Mississippi Allstars’ Sweet Southern Rock
Highlighted by the electric washboard performance by drummer Cody Dickinson, the North Mississippi Allstars brought smooth electric guitar, thrumming bass, and a fluid demeanor of blues rock to Moody Amphitheater on Saturday night. The band of brothers was charming and eclectic, allowing each instrument to shine in their own respective ways. Cody’s animated drum rhythms combined with the twangs of Luther Dickinson’s guitar to create a sound that intertwined perfectly with the spring evening humidity. The lyrics spoke of mushroom tea and moonlight shining through trees, which brought a strong visual of cool river water in the summertime and buzzing cicadas near marshes. The group slipped easily between swampy blues jams, quick-picking breakdowns, and laid-back Southern rock. Their easygoing stage presence made the set feel like an intimate jam session rather than a polished concert, a testament to the band’s long-running career. – Angelina Liu
Kingfish Turns the Moody Into a Juke Joint
Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Kingfish may not have shared much in common beyond their bluesy roots. However, the three have all executed one illusory guitar trick: playing with their teeth. Delicately weaving mellow, soulful passages with finger-breaking riffs, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram adjourned the festival Saturday night with an hour-and-26-minute exhibition. With a pair of red and black Jordan 12 Retro Flu Game sneakers laced on his feet, the 26-year-old introduced himself to the crowd with “Midnight Heat.” “Fresh Out” and “662,” among others, displayed Denver-born keyboardist Deshawn “D’Vibes” Alexander’s dexterous fingers as he traversed across four sets of keys – including a keytar – throughout the night. Walking offstage halfway through the performance, the axe-wielder appeared in the lower lawn of the Moody Amphitheater, soloing amidst a swarming horde of phone cameras. Later, wanting to turn the venue into a “juke joint like in Mississippi,” he invited fans to the stage to dance along. With too many memorable moments to note, it’s worth saying that the most impressive aspect of the night wasn’t Kingfish playing with his teeth, nor recording a video on his phone without missing a beat, but his overarching feverish yet nonchalant stage presence that beamed into the capricious Texas air. – Catalina Perez
Monsieur Periné Feels the Latin Love
Colombian fusion pop isn’t something that comes to mind when you hear “Austin Blues Festival.” Yer Monsieur Periné’s fiery vitality and brass-laced sound offered a contrasting yet refreshing wave of Latin flavor to the Moody Amphitheater on Sunday. Shrouded in an elaborate multicolor ensemble replete with a floral headpiece and scarlet-marbled gloves, lead singer Catalina García greeted the crowd with a “Buenas tardes, Austin” following the opening track “Tu M’as Promis.” As the seven musicians onstage ran through the likes of “Mundo Paralelo,” “La Pea,” and their viral hit “Nuestra Canción,” choreographed movements remained the spectacle of the performance – that is, until García came into the crowd during “Bailar Contigo,” prompting a dance circle with the songstress at the center. Ushering in “Mi Libertad,” she gave an almost three-minute monologue, saying, “We have this opportunity to be alive [and] to feel the love we have around each other. Music always teaches everything about love, about sharing and caring ... It’s so hard to see every day how these people that take positions about how the world works, decide to make a war with nature.” Finishing the 48-minute set by passing off improvised solos, the multilingual group took a final bow, arm-in-arm at center stage, before bidding adieu. – Catalina Perez
Jackie Venson’s Career-Spanning Solos
With the scorching Sunday afternoon sun tucked away behind gray rainclouds, a cool breeze swept through the venue right as Jackie Venson set up onstage. Sonically reflective of the newly refreshing weather, Venson’s 53-minute performance launched into motion with new material and came to an end back home at her bluesy roots. The Austin native’s latest release The Love Anthology comprised the first half of the set with “Alone,” “Fear,” and “Connection” making way for “Destruct” and its album-portrayed jam session counterpart. A visceral audience reaction to the opening strums of “Rollin’ On” and “Always Free” made it clear that Venson’s early tracks remain crowd favorites. Hoots and hollers followed intricate guitar licks, creating a consistent wall of sound which bounced back and forth between the crowd and the songstress toward the end of the set. Bringing Kam Franklin, Akina Adderley, and Kate Priestley onstage to sing backup vocals, the gold tie-donning axe wielder dove into Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s “Down by the Riverside” before signing off with “When It’s Right.” – Catalina Perez
Mavis Staples Sings the Gospel
Stretching her arms toward the Austin crowd and pumping her fists, Mavis Staples brought a tenacious, unshakeable energy to Moody Amphitheater on Sunday evening. From the moment she stepped onstage, the legendary singer captivated fans of all ages with her messages of love and empowerment. Staples launched into a spirited set featuring classics like “Respect Yourself” and “In Times Like These,” her voice raw and commanding. Staples dominated the stage backed by longtime guitarist Rick Holmstrom, whose distorted electric riffs complemented her raspy intonation. Midway through the set, the groundbreaking artist slowed the pace with renditions of the Staple Singers’ gospel-rooted songs like “I’m Just Another Soldier.” Swaying gently to the rhythm, she sang with undeniable devotion, sweat glistening under the flashing stage lights as the humid Texas evening wrapped around her. Despite being 85 years old, the singer held the crowd’s attention by shouting enthusiastically, her words echoed back to her by the doting audience. – Angelina Liu
Jimmie Vaughan and Big Bill Morganfield Wrap With a Jam Session
Kicking off with the melancholic wail of a harmonica, Antone’s Allstar Jam on Sunday featured players like Gary Clark Jr., Lurrie Bell, Big Bill Morganfield, Grace Bowers, Jimmie Vaughan, and Jackie Venson. Although the stage was packed with talent – guitarists, bassists, drummers, and keyboardists — the sound remained cohesive and electric. Morganfield commanded the spotlight with a booming “I got the Muddy Waters shuffle,” launching into a seasoned guitar solo that echoed the legacy of his legendary father. Vaughan closed out the night with an electric collaboration with his fellow artists. The chemistry between the musicians was palpable, each player intuitively filling their role and adding to the overall sound while giving space for others to shine. The performance wasn’t flashy or pretentious; instead, it was a master class in mesmerizing riffs and throaty vocals, serving as a true ode to the blues. – Angelina Liu
Austin Blues Festival
Moody Amphitheater
April 26-27
