The 2025 PITTSBURGH BLUES AND ROOTS FESTIVAL
CELEBRATES MUSIC AND LEGACY THIS JULY
Festival honors legacy of local bluesman Kip London;
broadcaster Mike Lang’s contribution to supporting blues in our region
PITTSBURGH – May 6, 2025 – Now in its eighth year, the organizers of the 2025 Pittsburgh Blues & Roots Festival today announce the annual event will be renamed “The Kip London Memorial Pittsburgh Blues & Roots Festival.” This year’s event will light up the summer, July 25–27, at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center Pavilion, Cheswick, PA.
This is the first time the festival will be named in honor of a performer, who contributed his time and talent to promoting and growing the regional and national blues scene.
Through the generous support of The Kip London Memorial Foundation, the festival will recognize the life and legacy of the beloved Western Pennsylvania bluesman and will feature the official release of his highly anticipated posthumous album, The Last Dance.
This three-day celebration of music, community, and inspiration will bring some of the finest local, regional, and national blues and roots performers to the stage to support Band Together Pittsburgh, a nonprofit enriching the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum through music, and the Autism Society of Pittsburgh.
This year’s festival promises unforgettable performances from some of the biggest names in blues, including special appearances by musicians on the autism spectrum.
Friday night kicks off with a heartfelt Tribute to Mike Lang, (A huge Kip London fan), who was one of the region’s biggest champions of blues music, followed by an electrifying Guitar Throwdown and a featured set by Jason Born, the Western PA. International Blues Challenge winner.
The weekend brings performances from The Nighthawks, Bill Wharton "The Sauce Boss," Solomon Hicks, Alexis P. Suter, Jim Donovan & The Sun King Warriors, Jimmy Adler & The Soulville Horns, Cleveland’s Fleshman Singers, and more.
“We're thrilled to bring together this incredible lineup of artists, honor Kip and Mike’s legacy, and continue to support the amazing people living on the autism spectrum," said Ron “Moondog” Esser, co-founder, Band Together Pittsburgh. "It's going to be a weekend of powerful music, lasting memories, and community spirit.”
The event also features an art market and vendor fair, which features works from people on the autism spectrum.
Visit https://pghbluesfestival.com for more information and news about the growing lineup of bands and performances.