The New York State Blues Festival returned to Chevy Court at the fairgrounds in Syracuse, June 12-14, 2025. A long standing Central New York tradition, which formed in 1992, is now in its fifth consecutive year at the fairgrounds. The event featured a mixture of local, regional, and national acts over three days, and was free to attend.
The festival kicked off on Thursday under fittingly blue skies and moderate temperatures. Kat Riggins & Her Blues Revival wasted no time getting the weekend’s party started, turning in a passionate and high-energy blues-rock set, which at one point, saw Riggins climb from the stage and sing from the audience. “We are your blues revival” Riggins proclaimed as the set came to a close.
Thursday evening was headlined by The Three Kings, featuring a powerhouse blues trio of D.K. Harrell, Albert Castiglia, and Chris Cain. Harrell, who often draws comparison to B.B. King, served as the charismatic front-man, and almost like an MC, as the trio alternated lead duties both with vocals and showering off their guitar skills, with Harrell’s infectious smile drawing in the audience.
By mid-afternoon Saturday, the viewing field in front of the main stage had filled in in anticipation of the festival headliner, the Warren Haynes Band. Haynes, the heralded guitarist long known for his work with The Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule, had made a surprise appearance in nearby Liverpool the night prior, sitting in with jam-favorites, moe.
Those early arrivers Saturday were treated to dazzling sets by two of Central New Yorks’s favorites, The Wescott Jug Suckers and The Ripcords. The intensity picked up with a mid afternoon set by Jontavious Willis, who had the audience swaying and line dancing to “Jon’s Boogie”, which saw Willis giving commands to dance and stop, and dance again. Ruthie Foster closed out the undercard portion of the day, with a set worthy of headliner status. Foster’s soulful vocals reverberated through the fairgrounds, drawing comparisons to Aretha Franklin.
At long last, it was time for this year’s headliner, Warren Haynes. Taking the stage backed by his four piece band, Haynes wasted no time getting started. An opening jam allowed for a warm-up for the band, before launching into the blistering “Man in Motion”. Haynes dazzled the audience with his furious guitar solos, while his all-star backing band proved to be no slouches. Bassist Kevin Scott (Gov’t Mule) and drummer Terence Higgins (Dirty Dozen Brass Band) kept a frenzied pace, most notably during the band’s rendition of Tower of Power’s “What is Hip?”, while saxophonist Greg Osby and keyboardist Matt Slocum layered their own solos on top.
Hayne’s proved he had no issue sharing the spotlight, calling Ruthie Foster back to the stage during the middle of the set. Haynes shared lead vocals with Foster on “River’s Gonna Rise”, which saw Haynes rip another incredible solo, with Foster providing a dramatic vocal improvisation to accompany.
Haynes and his band would perform for over two hours on Saturday, leaving the satisfied audience to file out, reeling over the fantastic sets from the weekend and already anticipating what could be in store for 2026.
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