Clarksdale, Mississippi’s Juke Joint Festival Turns 21 in April 2024

International travelers call it “Juke Joint Festival.” Locals call it “Juke Joint.” And musicians? They simply call it, “Coming home.”

Clarksdale, Mississippi‘s world-famous Juke Joint Festival opens its door to the world on Saturday, April 13 with dozens of related events running that Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. The 2024 music lineup for Juke Joint Festival’s 21st edition is online now at www.jukejointfestival.com, with related events added daily.

“This year’s festival weekend boasts over 100 blues performances by musicians ranging in age from 7 to 97,” said artistic director Roger Stolle. “Most of our official daytime events are free. For Saturday night, our nonprofit festival sells wristbands that get attendees into over 20 venues for over 30 acts. For music fans, it’s a life-changing event.”

The Saturday, April 13th nighttime wristband is required for entry into all official venues. Pre-sale wristbands are available now at www.jukejointfestival.com. Limited quantities. Details online.

THE BIGGEST EVENT IN CLARKSDALE

“From the beginning, we’ve described our event as ‘half blues festival, half small-town fair, and all about the Delta,” said festival director Nan Hughes. “It has grown to be the biggest annual event in our little town. We’ve already sold pre-sale wristbands to folks from at least 47 US states and 14 countries.”
 
As a result of its uniquely Delta perspective, exponential growth, and international appeal, media outlets from 60 Minutes and PBS NewsHour to The New York Times and just about every music magazine on the planet have flocked to the award-winning event in recent years.
 
“The festival provides an amazing snapshot of the blues scene today and a pulse check of our ongoing, tourism-fueled Clarksdale revitalization,” said Stolle. “And that’s on top of simply highlighting Clarksdale’s rich history and Southern hospitality.”

EVENTS ALL LONG WEEKEND LONG

The weekend excitement begins early with a free Juke Joint Festival Kickoff on Thursday, April 11 at 5 pm, featuring blues prodigy Harrell “Young Rell” Davenport and the super soulful Candice Ivory at the alternatively-renovated, roofless New Roxy theater. Then, Friday offers fans an afternoon of free daytime music near the Juke Joint Festival HQ at 243 Delta Avenue, before culminating with an extra special concert event back at the New Roxy.

“We are super excited to offer a free Mississippi blues show starring Grammy-winner Charlie Musselwhite with his good friend and ex-band member Kirk Fletcher,” said Stolle. “It’s a rare opportunity to see them play in duo setting.”

Saturday, April 13 is the main event, of course—featuring 16 free daytime music stages as well as arts & crafts vendors, Southern street food, children’s activities, racing pigs, monkeys riding dogs, a car show and more. Most daytime activities run from 10 am till 5 or 6 pm.

The festival merchandise tent and pre-sale wristband pickup are located near the festival headquarters at 243 Delta Avenue, downtown.

THE NIGHTTIME IS THE RIGHT TIME

As incredible as all of the free daytime activities are, for many, it’s the nighttime that’s the right time for a grown-up blues party. Saturday night, April 13, a Juke Joint Festival wristband gets happy attendees into 22 nighttime venues (with 24 stages) for 36 acts—featuring performers like Super Chikan, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Kenny Brown, Terry “Harmonica” Bean, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Big A & Allstars, Deak Harp, Little Willie Farmer, Duwayne & Garry Burnside, Lightnin’ Malcolm, Lucious Spiller Band, Australia “Honey Bee” Jones, Jimbo Mathus, Big T & the Family, Robert Kimbrough Sr., Sean “Bad” Apple, and many more.
 
Official Saturday-night wristbands also get paid attendees unlimited rides on three festival shuttle buses that run between wristband venue drop-off/pick-up points and several major hotels on April 13. First come, first served. Limited seating. Details on website. Full lineup, pre-sale wristbands and more details available now at www.jukejointfestival.com. Downtown RV and tent camping details are also online.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE… FOR REAL

Juke Joint Festival organizers are quick to thank their supporters—from attendees and volunteers to dozens of sponsors and major partners like Visit Clarksdale, Cathead Vodka, Crossroads Economic Partnership, Southern Bancorp, Visit Mississippi, Double Quick, and others.
 
“Our festival is about friends, fans and family,” said Hughes. “We are very fortunate to live in a place where so many individuals and businesses are always standing up to support the things they believe in. And we say ‘thank you.'”