Shemekia Copeland headlines Victoria blues festival

A big voice is coming to Victoria to sing the blues. Shemekia Copeland is set to take centre stage as the headliner of the Harbour Blues 'n Roots Festival in Victoria. “Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time,” writes Alligator Records in a news release. The label says Copeland is beloved worldwide for the “fearlessness, honesty and humour of her revelatory songs, as well as for her winning, engaging personality.” Copeland’s work was recognized by the Recording Academy as recently as last year, when her album Blame It On Eve was nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album. “There’s serious business on the album,” Copeland says. “But there are a lot of smiles here too, a lot of joyous moments. It’s my blues for sure, but it’s the brighter side. Issues are always important to me, but so is rocking, dancing and just having fun. And that’s something we all can agree on.” Aside from her Grammy accolades, Copeland has won four Living Blues awards, including Blues Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for Blame It On Eve, and Most Outstanding Blues Singer (Female). The album’s producer and musician also won the 2025 Blues Music Award for Album of the Year, bringing Copeland’s all-time Blues Music Award total to 16. Copeland will take the stage at the Harbour Blues 'n Roots Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23 at Ship Point. Tickets start at $42 and can be purchased at jazzvictoria.ca [https://jazzvictoria.ca/].