About – Nanaimo Blues Festival

The Leading Acts

Main Line Up

Friday 14th August

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Saturday 15th August

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Sunday 16th August

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Previous Shows

Our History

Bill (Billyboy) Lucas was the Chair of the Nanaimo Blues Society. His passion for the blues began in the late 1960’s, when in his teens he saw blues greats Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and John Mayall. In 2007 while Lucas was watching local Maple award-winning blues artist David Gogo perform, a lightbulb appeared over Lucas’ head, causing him to ask, “Why not have a blues festival?

Bill let the idea bubble for a year or so and asked a few questions around town (no one said no) and the Nanaimo Summertime Blues Festival was born.

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Trending Media

There is nothing I can say other than how amazing this blues society is! They put on one of the best boutique blues festivals in Canada, and I am proud to have been a part of it on more than a few occasions. God bless these hard working blues loving people in Nanaimo!
Harpdog Brown, Vancouver

2017 Nanaimo Blues Festival was the line up of the year. An over the top music event like no other on the West Coast of Canada not to mention the planet. Simply not to be missed.
Dave Mathews, Gibsons