Why the Cool Blues Show is the Lower Mainland's Hidden Gem
One event stands alone in a region filled with diverse music offerings – the Cool Blues Show at the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival, presented by Lorval Developments!
While the Lower Mainland boasts numerous jazz and folk festivals and cultural celebrations, the Cool Blues Show, happening on Friday, July 25, 2025, is the only one dedicated to bringing blues lovers together for a full-scale, high-energy and unforgettable festival experience.
Unlike a single blues band playing at a club or concert, the Cool Blues Show blends SIX electrifying performances with a haven of delicious food trucks, unique beverage offerings at the Expedia Cruises (North Langley) Beer Garden and Angry Otter Whisky Tasting Lounge, a vibrant vendor market showcasing local creations, imaginative art installations, and the Macdonald Realty Games Zone!
New this year: we’re thrilled to welcome our first-ever Cool Blues Show emcee—Scott Barrett! A familiar voice to many, Scott has spent 25 years as a local radio/TV personality. He’s hosted syndicated shows across North America, appeared in national commercials, and served as a live host for major events like the Molson Indy, Symphony of Fire and even WWF matches. With his vibrant energy and musical knowledge, Scott will guide you through this unforgettable evening of blues.
In the historic town of Fort Langley, a fully immersive blues experience awaits against the stunning backdrop of Fort Langley's Community Park.
Meet the six headliners of the 2025 Cool Blues Show
Bywater Call
Bywater Call is a seven-piece Southern soul and roots rock band hailing from Toronto. With multiple Independent Blues and Maple Blues Award nominations, it's no surprise they’re making waves in the blues world. At the heart of the band is Meghan Parnell, whose vocals have been praised by Dutch, German, and UK media as among the best in blues and roots today. Backed by a stellar lineup of incredibly talented musicians, Bywater Call delivers soulful and high-energy performances.
Angelique Francis
Blues fans are in for a spectacular treat with JUNO Award-winning artist Angelique Francis! A multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Angelique has an impressive reputation for versatile performances that blend blues, soul, folk, jazz, gospel, Americana and rock. Having shared stages with legends including Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr., Joe Bonamassa, Keb' Mo', and Beth Hart, Francis has established herself as a force in contemporary blues.
Steve Marriner & Local Electric
This JUNO Award-winning, Toronto-based musician first turned heads as a teenage harmonica prodigy in Ottawa's blues scene! Steve Marriner’s versatility has led to collaborations with Canadian icon Colin James, folk legend Harry Manx, and as a key contributor to Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar. With seven Maple Blues Awards for harmonica excellence, incredible vocals, and unforgettable acoustic performances, Marriner brings unparalleled musical depth to the stage.
Brandon Isaak & his Saints of Swing
Blending the flavours of B.B. King, Lightning Hopkins, and Taj Mahal, Vancouver Island's Brandon Isaak brings his exceptional blues recipe to the Cool Blues Show! Backed by his stellar band (Rob Becker, Chris Nordquist, and Mike Kalanj), Isaak has perfected his craft through 37 years of performing across three continents. With two JUNO nominations and multiple Maple Blues awards, Isaak's performances captivate through gravelly vocals, masterful guitar and harmonica playing, and songs seamlessly mixing humour with spiritual depth.
Jimmy D. Lane Band
Chicago Blues Hall of Famer Jimmy D. Lane brings his extraordinary musical heritage to the Cool Blues Show! The son of legendary Jimmy Rogers, Lane has a distinctive sound that blends Chicago blues with the influences of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Albert Collins. His impressive career includes recording with Vaughan's Double Trouble and sharing stages with icons like Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Mick Jagger, and Robert Plant.
Robert Connely Farr Duo
Rooted in the Bentonia style of Delta blues and deeply connected to his Mississippi heritage, Robert Connely Farr channels the authentic sounds of legends like RL Boyce and Terry Harmonica Bean. With multiple nominations at Canada's Maple Blues Awards, including New Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year, and joined by longtime collaborator Jay Bundy Johnson on drums, Cool Blues Show attendees can expect a robust set filled with grit, soul, and undeniable rhythm!
Music can bring families together like nothing else! 🎷
Spark the next generation of music lovers by bringing your kiddos to the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival and the Cool Blues Show!
We love seeing families make memories and discover new music and art together. There’ll be tons to see and do for all ages at the free festival on July 26 and 27, including a variety of music, workshops and demonstrations for the whole family to explore, amazing artisan vendors to peruse, and an exciting games area at the Cool Blues Show (plus so much more!) 💙
The main festival is free, and kids 12 and under get into the Cool Blues Show for free when accompanied by a parent or guardian. We also have Cool Blues Show youth tickets for ages 12 to 18 for just $30!
There's nothing better than watching kids discover their new favourite song or seeing grandparents groove along with their grandkids.
NEW! Angry Otter Whisky Tasting
Celebrate your love of whisky with our newest Cool Blues Show experience — the Angry Otter Liquor Whisky Tasting, featuring an all-Canadian line-up of premium whiskies.
Experience a guided tasting of premium Canadian whiskies, including a J.P. Wiser's Old Fashioned welcome cocktail, then we’ll dive into J.P. Wiser's 10-Year and 18-Year-Old Single Grain, as well as Lot No.40 Dark Oak (World's Best Rye!).
Each whisky flight includes a commemorative tasting glass and passport with tasting notes, and a masterclass hosted by Corby National Brand Education Specialist Colin MacDougall, who will guide you through the tastings and stories behind each pour—all in a comfortable lounge setting
There will be two one-hour sessions: 5:15-6:15pm and 7:15-8:15pm. We highly recommend purchasing your ticket now, as we can’t guarantee that any passes will be available at the show. Note: You must have a ticket to the Cool Blues Show to attend the whisky tasting.
Get your presale tickets to the Angry Otter Whisky Tasting here.
Thank you to Angry Otter Liquor and J.P Wisers for co-hosting the Angry Otter Whisky Tasting and big thanks to our stager, Inside Job Staging & Design!
It's best to come hungry to the Cool Blues Show!
Get ready to eat your way around the world with our incredible food truck line-up - bringing flavours that'll make your taste buds dance as much as our awesome headliners!
Check out our food truck line-up:
Beaver Tails (Dessert)
Cuba Street Food (Cuban Fare)
GV on the Run (Soft ice cream)
Kampoon – Taste of Malaysia (Malaysian curries, skewers and more)
Mr. Arancino Sicilian Risotto Balls
Planted Love (Vegan Fare)
Primos Street Eats (Mexican Fare)
Rolling Joe (Coffee Cart)
Stackers (Korean-American Burgers)
Tradish Food Truck (Indigenous Fare)
From sweet to savoury, and from Malaysian to Sicilian to Cuban, we’ve got culinary delights to satisfy every craving and make your Cool Blues Show Experience even more unforgettable!
Get in the game at the Macdonald Realty Games Zone
Get ready to play between sets! The Macdonald Realty Games Zone brings all the fun with:
Corn Hole
Giant Connect4
Giant Jenga
Ladder Golf
Rebound
Ring Toss
Shoot the Moon
Yardzee
Whether you're a casual competitor or just in it for the laughs, it’s the perfect way to unwind between bands.
Big thanks to Inside Job Staging & Design for staging both our Games Zone and Whisky Tasting Lounge! And thanks to Knotty Games for supplying the games!
Raise a glass in the Expedia Cruises (North Langley) Beer Garden
Cool down with a craft beer from Trading Post, enjoy a Founder's Original cocktail, sip Trivento Argentina wine, or grab a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage—and enjoy at your seat or in the comfortable Freybe Gourmet Foods seating area.
Take your Cool Blues Show experience to the next level!
VIP tickets are now sold out! But don’t worry—you can still get your SUPER VIP ticket, sponsored by PHL Capital Corp. and experience the show in unforgettable style.
Elevate your experience with…
A reserved parking spot (no hunting for spaces!) and priority early entrance (30 minutes before general admission)
A personal escort to the SUPER VIP tent, located close to the stage
Seating in a shaded and raised tent (chair provided—no lugging yours!)
A welcome from your concierge with a complimentary drink + charcuterie cup for two
A curated food truck menu by Chew on this Tasty Tours (valued at $50)
Access to the private cash bar stocked with craft beer, premium wine and top-shelf Canadian whiskies—all under the exclusive SUPER VIP tent near the stage
Backstage meet-and-greet with world-renowned blues headliners
10% off Festival merchandise
Festival goodie bag
SUPER VIP tickets are $199.95! Get yours here before they sell out!!
We can’t wait to see you at the 2025 Cool Blues Show! Check out all your ticket options here!
Thank You to our Cool Blues Show Sponsors!
A BIG Thank to the businesses who stepped up to support music, art and culture in our community:
Sponsors:
Lorval Developments, PHL Capital, Expedia Cruises (North Langley), Freybe Gourmet Foods and Macdonald Realty!
In-Kind Sponsors:
Inside Job Staging & Design, Knotty Games, Long & McQuade, Precision Auto Service, Tom Lee Music, University Printers
Beverage Partners:
Founders’s Original Cocktails, J.P. Wiser’s Whisky, Trading Post Brewing, Trivento Argentina
Venue Partner:
Township of Langley