RI Blues & BBQ Festival

This was a great show. The best I've ever seen the KWS band play. Robert Randolph and The Cowsills were excellent as well. This was my 1st time attending a show at this venue, (Bold Point). I was extremely impressed. The staff was laid back, drinks were reasonable, (unlike other area venues) it was organized, clean & the setting was beautiful, right on the water with a nice breeze. This place is a gem and I hope to see many more shows here in the future. Thumbs up all around!

Great show, loved the location and venue, Kenny Wayne Shepard was fantastic and the whole evening a great pleasure!

This venue is awesome, the music was great, the bbq, these type of shows need to happen more. The concessions weren't outrageously priced and you could get almost any kind of drink.

Had a great time. The lineup of bands was super talented with Kennny Wayne Sheperd closing out the show.Hope they have another blues fest next year with same groups.

The venue was very nice, beautiful day. I loved, loved Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. I have to sit up close for them and was so happy and loved every second of their performance. I am still thinking about it.

Best show we've seen to date. We enjoyed all the bands that played at this festival and I will be looking for them near me. Kenny and Noah's vocals were really good. Loved when Kenny came out to join Robert Rudolph for their last song. I was a little disappointed that they didn't do Lay it on down. The tour is The Lay It Down Tour.

BBQ was very good, but lines were long Two of the groups that played, Cee Cee & The Riders and Robert Randolf & The Family Band were great. Others just so so.

The Bold Point Park venue is a nice addition to the Providence music scene. Minor issues reserved parking to far away and a very dusty walk. Rerouting of traffic pre and post concert confusing and poorly done. But the stage and sound system are great. Wonderful riverfront location. A great day of music headlined by KWS. He was fantastic as usual and his band was tight.

Music was WAY too loud making much of it distorted.

Great show. Will definitely consider returning next year. First time at this venue. Wasn't sure what to expect. Love the area. Food was ok. Drinks too expensive.

Great lead up to the final band SSJ. Great music, crowd alittle mundane. You just don't sit down to hear blues music. You get up and dance!

The overall layout of the event was great; the stage area and seating were covered from the elements. There were plenty of seating areas outside and servers were attentive. The food vendors were all quite good and parking was accessible. Also, it was nice to take a walk about the area and be able to re-enter the event.

Quinn Sullivan was phenomenal - a 14 years old guitar master. Nailed a couple of Clapton's songs (why does love have to be so bad and Clapton's take on Little Wing). 2nd up was Ronnie Earl - what a fabulous sound he has! He invited Newport's own Diane Blue to sing and she was unbelievable. Unfortunately Ronnie had to cut short his set, apparently it was too hot and he was having a hard time. Matt "Guitar" Murphy was a huge disappointment. he was only on for a while, and could barely speak and his playing was poor. He appears to be in poor health. His band was absolutely phenomenal, however. James Cotton (as well as Matt) should have retired long time ago, given his advanced age an apparent poor health as well. I applaud these and other older artists for wanting to keep going, but there is a time for retirement for everyone. I felt sad watching them to be honest. I disagree with other posts here - I did not like Southside Johnny at all. Seems like a poor imitation of Springsteen to me. Sorry.

The Newport Waterfront was a very private venue. I was impressed by the intimancy. The Blues fest was a wide array of great peformers and sound. South Side Johnny and the Asbury Jukes put all their heart and soul into the show and blew the crowd away. What a great place to see this show.

Went to the Newport Blues & BBQ festival last Saturday and saw a fabulous show. The weather was spectacular, great venue on the water, food was yummy and we saw some of the finest blues performers around. The highlight of the day, however, was the performance by Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes. Southside's vocals still kick butt, and his band was tight and on the money. The crowd was energized and singing along! Surely a show to remember.

Great performers, good food. Well organized. Did need a better lite beer, Miller Lite didn't make it

Bought the whole hog pass thinking we'd get a meal at least! NOT the case ! Very disappointing, got 4 samples! NOT worth the extra $55. The music was great , the first kid of 14 was good for his age keep a eye on him for his future.

My husband and I spent the afternoon at this Festival w/ the" Whole Hog Pass". We had a nice time and enjoyed the music but really couldn't figure out why we paid $227 ($100 per ticket plus $13.50 for handling fees) for this Premium Pass. We ended up giving some of our food passes away and only got one free drink ticket. We would have ended up better w/ just paying the General Admission fee and paying for food and drinks ourselves. The so-called Premium Seats on the main stage were way in the back on a small deck in the SUN. We ended up sitting in the General Admission seats to stay in the shade. In addition, we had to pay $15 for parking. Would have been nice if the Whole Hog Pass included Parking, Drinks and Food...that would really represent the name "Whole Hog". We probably won't attend this event again.

Overall, I'd say yes. The music was amazing! Food was good, but I bought the BBQ Alley Pass for $30 and only received a small portion of food from 4 vendors! I should've just purchased separate meals at around $7 each totaling $28-$30 and I would have received 4 full portions for less or equal money! Lesson learned! It was also good that I didn't purchase the upgraded pass which got you preferred seating! General admission seats were better! I would go again definitely for the music!

Missed most of the show due too it was set up on the black top under a tent and it was 90 degrees out during the day .It was way to hot under the tent and out of it ,show at night was good but still too hot under the tent ,very poor setup .

Nice venue. Good groups. Rick and the Cadillac Horns were a nice surprise. Felt that Matt Murphy's appearance should not have been highlighted as it was. Same with James Cotton. While they are both giants, their time has passed and it was sad to see them struggling. Rick King was very gracious helping Matt out. Southside rocked as usual.

A fun showing of different ages of Blues musicians. And a good selection of food and drinks.

every act was terrific. food was excellent and show was put on in a first class manner

The venue was spectacular. The breeze off the ocean was wonderful. The music was just mesmerizing! This is our second Blues and BBQ and we made a pact to go every year from now one. You just couldn't get a better day of music and food!

The first 4 act were great. Even though South side Johnny was great, hey do not belong at a blues fest. The food and beverage selection was fantastic

We had an absolute fabulous time. Can't wait till next year!

We purchased the Whole Hog passes and they were completely worth the extra cost. While there was no issue in finding a seat in front of the main stage, the Whole Hog seats were up on little decks at the back of the tent and the sea breeze was nonstop and just awesome after days of sweltering heat where we live in Massachusetts. The passes came with 4 food vouchers from 4 different vendors along with 1 drink voucher. We all went home full and the BBQ was great. Loved the little bar area toward the marina end. Staff was friendly and the bathroom was clean. We plan to return next year.

Great festival, Great venture, the show was missing one major aspect. other blues festivals that I have been too. They always removed the first 5-8 rows of seats so you can get up close and boogie. This event was missing the hi-energy of a crowd standing in front of the stage dancing and watching the musicians show there talents.

Awesome time with great friends, music, drinks and food.