Limestone City Blues Festival
For nearly three decades, this four-day blues takeover turned Kingston into one big, wandering concert: over 60 shows sprawled across Market Square, Confederation Park, bars, clubs, and basically anywhere you could plug in a guitar and sell a drink. There were blues cruises (a floating concert experience for people who’ve always thought, “this is great, but what if I couldn’t leave?”), brunches, workshops, and enough “blues-inspired” food to justify calling it a cultural experience instead of just a really well-organized party.
It had that perfect mix of “world-class talent” and “you just discovered your new favourite local band by accident,” pulling artists from across the region, the country, and occasionally across the border. And while other big festivals wandered off into expensive, genre-confused chaos, Limestone mostly stuck to it’s bluesy roots… stubborn in the best, most Kingston way possible.
Also, casual flex: when a headliner bailed in 1999, The Tragically Hip just… stepped in last minute. No big deal. Just one of Canada’s most beloved bands saving the day alongside Dan Aykroyd like it was a favour between friends.
The official run wrapped in 2023, which feels rude, honestly. There have been a few tribute attempts (shoutout to the die-hards keeping the spirit alive at places like the RCHA Club), but the city’s now pivoting to a shiny new multi-genre situation called RoadTrip Music Festival. Which is exciting… and while it’s stepping into some pretty big shoes left by the beautifully chaotic blues party we knew and loved… we’ll be curious to see how it finds it’s own rhythm.
RIP to a true summer staple. Gone but never forgotten (mostly because half of us are still recovering from one of those August weekends)… safely archived in paper form, because our memories alone cannot be trusted at this point.
These posters highlight the years 2000, 2005, 2008, and 2014-16, capturing a whole era of downtown Kingston summer energy in ink, paper, and slightly overworked amp cords.
Not ready to call it a night? Head to the tags at the bottom of the page for more on the artists and venues featured throughout this collection… bring your harmonica.
Artists featured in this poster collection: Agent Blue, Ben Racine Band, Big Mo & The Blues Mission, Blue Monday, Bocephus King & The Rigalattos, Charlie Musselwhite, Chris Chown, Conner Gains & The Ramblin’ Moon, Dawn Tyler Watson Blues Project, Delta Mudd, Duke Robillard Band, Edgar Winter, Ernie Hawkins, Garrett Mason, Gary Clark Jr, Georgette Fry & The B-Side Blues Band, George Kilby Jr, Guy Davis, Harrison Kennedy, Irene Torres & The Sugar Devils, Jarekus Singleton, Jimmy Bowskill, Joe Louis Walker, Johnny Russell Band, Julian Fauth, Justin Bunn, JW Jones, Kim Pollard Band, Killing Floor, Larry McCray, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Linda Lawrence Blues Band, Lincoln Durham, Long John Baldry, Marzo Harp, Monkey Junk, Morgan Davis, The Nightshift Blues Band, Odetta, Paul Reddick & The Sidemen, Phil Wiggins, Quinn Sullivan, R&B Boys with Ila Vann, Ray Bonneville, Roomful of Blues, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, Sherman Holmes, Slowpoke, Soul Survivors, Spencer Davis, Steve Hill, Talk of the Street, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, Universal, Watermelon Slim, Who’s Your Daddy.
