VIP is going fast!

Now is the time to buy Big Muddy VIP tickets! We only have 20 remaining for Saturday and 40 for Sunday. VIP tickets are available @ http://www.lacledeslanding.com for advanced purchase ONLY.

Online pre-sales end this Friday, Sept. 2nd at 5pm. Tickets purchased online this week may be picked up at WILL CALL at the North Entrance of the Main Stage (near Show-Me’s) . General admission tickets will be available for cash-only purchase at the Main Stage ticket booths both days of the event.

VIP perks include a personalized chair right in front of the stage, cocktail service throughout the show so there’s no waiting in line and a saved seat to return to as you check out the other stages or enjoy food and beverages at one of the Landing restaurants. Don’t miss out on the best seat in the house at Big Muddy 2011!

A letter from the producer.

Dear Big Muddy Blues Festival fans,

The 16^th annual, Big Muddy Blues Festival is this weekend and there have been a few questions on why all of sudden the event has an admission fee.  As Executive Producer of this event, I felt it is my duty to explain to our fans the reasoning behind this new format.

The unfortunate truth is that since the recession, each year our sponsorship funding has decreased. Big Muddy is a Labor Day weekend tradition for so many Blues fans throughout the Midwest and it is important to us that we maintain the event at the same great level it has been at for so many years.  In order to do that, this year we have come up with a partial-pay-for admission model.  The two side stages located at Morgan St. and Lucas St. remain FREE and open to the public.  The Budweiser Main Stage has a general admission fee of $8.00 per day (advance purchase), $10.00 per day (at the gate – cash only) and a limited VIP seating section for $25.00 per day grants you a seat in front of the main stage with cocktail service throughout the event (advance purchase only).

The main stage area will be fenced off all the way out onto N. First St.  There will be two entrance/exits on the north end and south end of N. First St.  A wristband will allow you in/out privileges at the main stage so you can also enjoy the side stages throughout the day.  Attendees can bring folding chairs but are asked not to bring any coolers, grilling equipment or outside food/drinks, festival staff can confiscate these items at their discretion.  All parking lots will remain accessible throughout the event.

Going from totally free to partial pay, we wanted to keep the admission price as reasonable as possible, similar to what you might pay as a cover charge at most Blues clubs.  Big Muddy is presented by, Laclede’s Landing Merchants Association, a nonprofit 501c6 organization.

We thank you all for being such great supporters of Big Muddy Blues Festival throughout the years and we look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Sincerely,

Emily Kochan
Executive Producer, Big Muddy Blues Festival

Need a place to stay?

We are happy to announce official hotel sponsor of Big Muddy Blues Festival, HoteLumiere.  The hotel is conveniently located only 2-blocks from Laclede’s Landing. HoteLumiere is offering a special rate for those attending the event. Make your reservation today by going to, www.lumiereplace.com. Enter code: BIGMUDDY.

Big Muddy weekly featured artist

It’s official! The Big Muddy Blues Festival 2011 line-up has finally been posted! If you haven’t check it out yet, it’s a MUST for any Blues lover. Labor Day weekend on the Landing is going to be a great time and you certainly don’t want to miss out on any of the fun this year. Start making your plans now! It’ll be here before you know it.
This week’s featured artist is Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys.
Since forming in 1988, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys have emerged as  one of the world’s most respected practitioners of American roots music—western swing, rockabilly, and traditional country—playing it like they invented it. “I think of us as just a rock and roll band—a rock and roll band that’s letting the roots show,” says bandleader Big Sandy. Whether they’re playing the Grand Ole Opry, Late Night With Conan O’Brien, or simply climbing out of a bus after rolling into your town, these guys are bringing us some great old-time rock and roll. Be sure to check out their newest release from Yep Roc Records, Turntable Matinee.
http://www.myspace.com/bigsandyandhisflyriteboys
http://www.bigsandy.net/index.htm

It’s official! The 2011 Big Muddy Blues Festival lineup is here!

The day you all have been waiting for! We are pleased to announce this year’s lineup and we could not be happier. Let us know who YOU can’t wait to see! Click the link below to check out the full 30 band lineup.

Click here!!

Thanks For A Great 2010 BMBF!

Well, the 2010 edition of Big Muddy Blues Festival is over — and it was amazing! All roads led to Laclede’s Landing seemingly, as fans from the Mizzou-Illini Arch Rivalry Game and those downtown for the weekend Cardinals series against the Reds showed up en masse. From the organizers of Big Muddy Blues Festival and the many restaurants, shops and bars down on Laclede’s Landing, here’s a loud, enthusiastic ‘thank you!’

But let’s not forget this region’s rabid Blues music fanbase, who came out to support the music they love so much. In years past, it’s been hard to guess what Sunday attendance will look like without the Arch Rivalry game there to fill out the streets and stages. It’s always good, of course — we expect nothing less from a city who’s history, heritage and appreciation of Blues music is as strong (or stronger!) as New Orleans, Memphis and. Chicago — but the Sunday crowd was beautiful to behold! The main stage lawn was busy all day and the twin satellite stages had Second Street packed through the last bands at 11 p.m. So to you, true Blues fans, an even bigger ‘Thank You.’ You really answered the call and showed that the Blues are alive and thriving in this city.

Booker T loves you 'thiiiiis much', St. Louis.

You can go here or here for local video coverage of the festival. Here’s just a few pictures of last weekend’s Big Muddy Blues Festival. Send your own to us (info@lacledeslanding.com) or friend Laclede’s Landing on Facebook and tag us. We’ll try to post more throughout the winter as we reset and prepare for next year’s festival.

The calm before the chaos...

Freedom, the United States Navy's traveling Blues band kicks off the 2010 Big Muddy Blues Festival at the Anheuser-Busch main stage.

Nick Curran & The Lowlifes

Booker T sits down at his Hammond B-3 for some Green Onions.

Kim Massie & The Solid Senders celebrate Etta James and Aretha Franklin with their "Tribute to Women & Soul."

Crowds begin filling up in front of the main stage on Day 2 of Big Muddy Blues Festival

...And the crowd by nine-oh-clock Sunday night.

At the same time, Marsha Evans & the Coalition was wowing the crowd on Second Street.

Magic Slim took to the Anheuser-Busch main stage and close out BMBF 2010. Thanks Blues fans!

These are just a few of the pictures of the bands, crowds and good times that went on Saturday, September 4th and Sunday, September 5th for this year’s Big Muddy Blues Festival. Thanks agian to everyone who came and everyone who recommended the festival to others. Work starts soon on next year’s festival, so share your thoughts in the comment section and keep next Labor Day weekend open for Laclede’s Landing and the Big Muddy Blues Festival.

Big Muddy Sneak-Preview and After-Party Shows

Big Muddy Blues Festival is this weekend – Saturday, Sept. 4th and Sunday, Sept. 5th – and it should be a great festival! We have 30 amazing bands lined up here on Laclede’s Landing and perfect weather is in the forecast! But the entertainment doesn’t stop there — we have three partnering shows to give you an up-close look at some of this year’s BMBF performers.

Kim Massie's 'Tribute to Women & Soul' Friday, Sept. 3 at The Beale on Broadway

On Friday, September 3rd, Kim Massie is at The Beale on Broadway (701 S. Broadway) for a sneak-peek performance of her new ‘Tribute to Women & Soul” dedication, featuring the music of Aretha Franklin and Etta James. St. Louis’ favorite soul diva brings her amazing voice and presence to The Beale starting at 10 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 and the her show starts at 10:00 p.m. Call (314) 621-7880 or visit www.bealeonbroadway.com for more information. Kim and the Solid Senders take to the Big Muddy Blues Festival main stage (700 N. 2nd Street) Sunday, Sept. 5th at 5:00 p.m.

Eric "Guitar" Davis - Saturday, Sept. 4 at 10pm at The Beale on Broadway

On Saturday, September 4th, Eric “Guitar” Davis has the unique honor of both opening for the legendary Booker T (of Booker T and the MGs) and following him. As part of the festival’s Big Muddy After-Party series, Eric will appear at The Beale on Broadway for a 10:00 p.m. show. You can see Eric first at the Big Muddy Blues Festival main stage at 7:00 p.m., leading in to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Booker T’s headline set, then head over to The Beale for more of his high-energy Blues, Funk and R&B sounds. The show starts at 10:00p.m. Tickets are $7.00.

Roland Johnson -- Sunday, Sept. 5th from 9pm to 1am at Casino Quenn's SEVENS lounge.

Finally, our presenting sponsor Casino Queen will wrap-up the Big Muddy After-Party series with Roland Johnson & The Voodoo Blues Band at its SEVENS lounge and nightclub (200 S. Front Street). A longtime St. Louis favorite, Roland first plays a 3:00 p.m. main stage set at Big Muddy Blues Festival on Laclede’s Landing, following with his free SEVENS appearance from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Casino Queen will be providing complimentary shuttle service to festival attendees throughout the weekend.

Big Muddy Blues Festival is excited to build on its long-running success by adding these special shows to its line-up. Through our partnerships with The Beale on Broadway and Casino Queen, Blues fans and music lovers will be treated to an amazing line-up this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

And remember to check our ‘About’ section for the full line-up and stage details.