FROM B.B. KING TO HEADLINER:
JOE BONAMASSA’S WOLF TRAP JOURNEY

Joe Bonamassa made his long-awaited headlining debut at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center last night, September 13, and he didn’t just play a concert—he delivered a virtuoso clinic in modern blues-rock. For over two hours, the amphitheater was filled with blistering guitar solos, soulful vocals, and a band firing on all cylinders before a packed house jammed with blues devotees.

He opened with “Hope You Realize It (Goodbye Again),” a crisp, confident statement that set the tone. “Dust Bowl” followed, its swampy riff rolling through the amphitheater with grit. Originals mixed seamlessly with covers whose familiar riffs pumped up the place—Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Twenty-Four Hour Blues” simmered with soul and Guitar Slim’s “Well, I Done Got Over It” crackled with joy.

Bonamassa’s ever-changing arsenal of guitars became part of the spectacle. With a guitar valet stationed just offstage, he switched instruments between nearly every song—moving seamlessly from a Gibson to a Les Paul, to a Fender, to a gleaming red Gibson. Each change brought a fresh tonal palette, enhanced by his expressive use of the wah-wah pedal, bending and shaping notes into searing, electrifying cries.

Between songs, Bonamassa shared personal stories about his long history with Wolf Trap. He reminded us that he first played the Barns 25 years ago, then 20 years ago shared the Filene Center stage with his mentor B.B. King. Headlining the Filene Center at last, he said, was a milestone he’d been waiting for—and he noted with a grin that he still carries a 202-area code cell number from when he once lived in Washington, DC. His sense of connection to the city was delightful.

Joe Bonamassa at Wolf Trap (Facebook)

The band around him elevated every moment. Rhythm guitarist Josh Smith locked into fiery exchanges with Bonamassa, with Calvin Turner on bass and Lamar Carter on drums anchoring the set with precision and punch. Reese Wynans—inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble—added swirling organ lines and piano textures that gave the music historical depth, his playing a living link to the Texas blues tradition. And when Jade MacRae and Dannielle DeAndreas stepped forward with gospel-infused backing vocals, the sound swelled to cathedral-like heights.

The show’s emotional center arrived with “The Heart That Never Waits,” where Bonamassa’s vocals carried as much weight as his guitar. Later he launched into a thunderous medley of “How Many More Times” and “The Hunter”—a nod to Led Zeppelin that elevated us on our feet, cheering like a revival crowd.

For the encore, Bonamassa returned with “Mountain Time,” the fan favorite that has become his signature epic. The slow build, the swelling solos, and the interplay with his band brought the event to a triumphant close.

By night’s end, Bonamassa had not only checked off a career milestone but also cemented his bond with a Washington-area audience that has been with him since the beginning. Judging by the thunderous response from the blues-hungry crowd, it won’t be his last Wolf Trap appearance. For longtime fans, it was a night of affirmation; for newcomers, a revelation. Joe Bonamassa proved once again that he isn’t just keeping the blues alive—he’s ensuring it thrives. Definitely check out Bonamassa’s Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation.

Joe Bonamassa
Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
1551 Trap Road in Vienna, Virginia
reviewed September 13, 2025
for future events, call 877.WOLFTRAP or visit Wolf Trap
for more tour dates, visit Joe