Meet the Riverfront Blues Festival 2025 Bands!

Hailing from Missoula, Montana, Moneypenny delivers a funky, high-energy blend of blues and rock with an emphasis on improvisation, experimentation, and the authentic spirit of traditional blues. Formed in 2015, the band quickly built a name for itself at home and on regional stages, bringing groove, soul, and a strong live chemistry that makes their sets feel both tight and spontaneous. They have the kind of sound that can lock into a deep pocket one minute and open up into something raw and electric the next.
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Stoney Curtiss is a hard-rocking blues guitarist known for a fiery tone, heavy groove, and a psychedelic edge that gives his music real punch. His band has spent years honing a blues-rock sound shaped by acid blues, classic blues rock, and a road-tested live attack that leans loud, bold, and guitar-forward. With releases through Shrapnel Records and a reputation for powerful performances, Stoney brings the kind of set that feels built for cranked amps and a festival crowd.
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Tony Holiday is one of the standout names in today’s Memphis blues scene, blending soulful vocals, sharp harmonica work, and deep blues tradition into a fresh modern sound. Since relocating to Memphis in 2017, he has become part of a rising soul-blues revival built around a close-knit collective of skilled musicians who carry the city’s musical legacy forward with style and energy. His music has grit, momentum, and real personality, making his live show feel rooted in tradition while still very much alive in the present.
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Chris O’Leary is a soulful vocalist, dynamic harmonica player, and gifted songwriter whose music blends blues, soul, and roots influences with polished musicianship and real emotional weight. A former front man for Levon Helm’s Barnburners, O’Leary has spent years building a reputation as a powerful live performer with a sound that feels seasoned, confident, and deeply expressive. Whether he is leaning into a slow-burn groove or driving a band through a bigger rootsy number, he brings the kind of command that comes only from long experience on the road and on the stage.
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Kelly’s Lot has been making music since 1994, building a loyal following with a blues-rooted Americana sound full of heart, soul, and strong songwriting. Led by Kelly Zirbes, the band has toured throughout the United States and Europe while developing a catalog that now spans 17 CDs and three decades of music-making. Their sound carries warmth, uplift, and a real connection to the audience, giving their performances a spirit that feels both inviting and deeply grounded in song.
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Atomic Jive brings foot-stomping boogie blues, vintage R&B, and undeniably cool soul with a high-energy sound built for a live crowd. Based in Spokane, the band describes its style as hand-clapping, hip-swaying, and full of old-school rhythm, which fits perfectly with the kind of set that gets people smiling, moving, and drifting closer to the stage. Their vibe is fun, danceable, and steeped in retro flavor, making them a natural festival band with plenty of crowd appeal.

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Alison Joy Williams is a contemporary Americana artist, songwriter, and author whose music carries strong blues roots and an expressive, lived-in vocal style. She has spent years touring and performing in all kinds of venues, from large festivals to intimate acoustic rooms, and that range comes through in the depth and confidence of her stage presence. Her songs bring heart, honesty, and emotional reach, while her voice has the kind of power and texture that can make a room lean in and listen.
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Jay Snow & the Tone Keepers are a dynamic Montana-based band bringing vibrant performances to festivals, concerts, and community events with a deep love of live Texas blues. Based in Libby, they are known for energetic shows, seasoned musicianship, and a strong connection to the audience that makes their sets feel lively, welcoming, and built for the moment. Their sound leans into the spirit of electrified blues while keeping things tight, entertaining, and tailor-made for a festival stage.
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Too Slim and the Taildraggers have spent decades building a reputation as one of the Northwest’s premier blues-rock acts, driven by the gritty guitar work and songwriting of Tim “Too Slim” Langford. Over the years, the band has released an impressive catalog of studio and live albums, earning lasting respect for a sound that mixes hard-edged blues, driving rock energy, and a road-hardened sense of swagger. Their live show brings real fire, muscle, and veteran command, the kind that only comes from a band that has been doing this at a high level for a very long time.

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Saturday will come to a smashing close you won’t want to miss from 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm! To finish off an amazing weekend of blues and brews, members of bands from throughout the weekend will be participating in a mind-blowing All-Star Jam!
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