The Austin Blues Festival is turning up the volume for its 2026 return with a major hometown addition. Grammy Award-winning artist Gary Clark Jr. is officially joining Jimmie Vaughan & Friends as part of the festival’s headlining performance on Saturday, April 25, bringing even more star power to one of Austin’s most anticipated music weekends.
Set to take place April 25–26 at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park, the two-day festival continues its revival with a lineup that blends legendary acts and rising talent from across the globe.
Free Downtown Kickoff Event Announced
Before the main event, festival organizers are bringing the music straight to the city center. A free kickoff concert featuring Chaparelle will take place on April 22 at Indeed Tower Plaza as part of the return of “Live! From Downtown, Texas.”
Presented in partnership with Antone’s Nightclub, the Austin Blues Festival, and the Downtown Austin Alliance, the event offers a preview of the festival’s sound and energy while kicking off a full week of live music in Austin.
Austin Blues Festival 2026 Lineup
The weekend lineup spans genres rooted in blues, funk, jazz, and soul, with performances scheduled across two full days.
Saturday, April 25
- Huston-Tillotson Jazz Orchestra
- D.K. Harrell
- Los Amigos Invisibles
- New Breed Brass Band
- Adrian Quesada’s Boleros Psicodélicos
- Eric Johnson
- Jimmie Vaughan & Friends featuring Gary Clark Jr.
Sunday, April 26
- Annie & The Caldwells
- Chaparelle
- The War and Treaty
- Pinettes Brass Band
- Larkin Poe
- BADBADNOTGOOD
- Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton
Late Shows at Antone’s
The music continues into the night with official late shows hosted at Antone’s Nightclub, a historic cornerstone of Austin’s blues scene.
- April 23: The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson
- April 24: Madam Radar & New Breed Brass Band
- April 25: D.K. Harrell & Pinettes Brass Band
A Celebration of Austin’s Blues Legacy
Co-presented by Antone’s Nightclub and the Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, the Austin Blues Festival continues a legacy that dates back to 1999, when icons like Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, and Ray Charles helped define the event.
Now in its fourth year since returning, the festival not only celebrates the genre’s roots but also highlights its evolution through a diverse, global lineup. The 2026 edition also coincides with Antone’s continued legacy as Austin’s “Home of the Blues,” marking a new chapter for the city’s music culture.
Ticket Information
The April 22 kickoff concert is free and open to the public. Tickets for Austin Blues Festival, taking place April 25–26, are available now, with additional details on late shows and scheduling available on the festival’s official website.
With the addition of Gary Clark Jr. and a lineup that bridges generations of blues and beyond, this year’s Austin Blues Festival is shaping up to be one of the season’s must-attend music events.
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