Wander toward the echoes of harmonicas and horns Saturday and you just might bump into a couple thousand others. 

Turning six years old this year, Blues Under the Bridge is expected to draw about 2,000 to the event, which last year saw about 1,200, says organizer Amy Whitesell.

“Every year, the audience has grown,” she says. “There’s a real fan base here and so we’ve had to grow, too.”

Thirty vendors, five national acts and nine straight hours of soulful cadence will be on tap. And this year, the audience will be able to find seating beyond the shadow of the West Colorado Avenue bridge. 

And for first time, you can go VIP style. For $91.50, high rollers can grab their choice of preferred seating, sample tapas from a Whole Foods menu, along with two Bristol beers, table service and more. 

“This is the signature event of the Downtown Partnership,” says Whitesell, who is also co-owner of the local booking company A Music Company. “We’ll offer some pretty unique sounds this year, including Phat Cat Swinger, a 9-piece horn band.”

Here’s a look at the complete lineup:

Molly Boyles and Lipstick Voodoo2-3 p.m.

Lipstick Voodoo makes your pants want to get up and dance! Playing originals by guitarist, singer/writer Molly Boyles and covers with twists, this is a line-up of really good musicians.  — LipstickVoodoo.com

Marquis Knox3:15-4:30 p.m.

Marquise Knox was honored by Living Blues Magazine with their Best Debut Award for “Man Child,” which also received a nomination by the Blues Foundation for Best New Blues Debut Release. He was also nominated for two Blues Blast Awards– Best New Artist Debut Release And the Sean Costello Rising Star Award. STL Bluesweek also honored Marquise with its Rising Star Award in 2012. “Here I Am” was also nominated by STL Bluesweek for Recording of the Year. — marquisknox.com

Zora Young4:50-6:05 p.m.

Despite the prominent presence of celebrated blues artist Howlin’ Wolf in her family tree, singer Zora Young grew up singing not blues but gospel. Today, she is a powerhouse blues vocalist with three decades of experience behind her. She has performed with a long list of artists, including Junior Wells, Jimmy Dawkins, Bobby Rush, Buddy Guy, Albert King and B.B. King. —  allmusic.com

Phat Cat Swinger6:25 – 7:40 p.m.

One of the best bands to dance to in the surrounding Los Angeles areas, Phat Cat Swinger was influenced by the classic sounds of Bobby Darin, Louis Prima and Frank Sinatra mixed with the new swingin’ sounds of such bands as Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue and Brian Setzer. The band is filled with booming toms, walking bass lines, jumpin’ guitar rhythms, roaring horn lines and smooth vocals. With their rise in popularity Phat Cat Swinger has toured the country and performed shows with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Royal Crown Revue and even alongside The Coasters. — phatcatswinger.com

Marcia Ball8-9:30 p.m.

Marcia Ball is a woman with a reputation. The Texas-born, Louisiana-raised pianist-vocalist-songwriter is famed worldwide for igniting a full-scale roadhouse rhythm and blues party every time she strolls on stage. Ball’s groove-laden New Orleans boogie and rollicking Gulf Coast blues have made her a one-of-a-kind favorite with music fans all over the world. But she’s also a master at transfixing her audience with an emotionally rich, passionately sung ballad. The Boston Herald says, “Ball plays masterful, red hot tracks from the Texas-Louisiana border. Her voice can break your heart with a ballad or break your back with a rocker.” — Alligator Records

Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials9:50-11:20 p.m.

Mixing smoking slide guitar boogies and raw-boned Chicago shuffles with the deepest slow-burners, master bluesman Lil’ Ed and his blistering Blues Imperials deliver blues that’s gloriously riotous and rollicking, intensely emotional and moving. — Alligator Records

Photo by