This week on Live Nuggets, JamFest invites you to turn up your speakers and step into one of the most electrifying moments in blues history — Stevie Ray Vaughan: Live at Montreux 1985.

Airing tonight at 9PM EST, this full-concert broadcast on Live Nuggets Radio is a rare chance to relive a performance that not only defined an era but also cemented Stevie Ray Vaughan’s place among the greatest guitarists to ever plug in and play.

Carefully curated and handpicked by DJ Don Edwards, this episode brings listeners an unfiltered dose of pure blues fire — the sound of an artist on the edge of global fame and at the peak of his musical powers. Recorded live at the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, Vaughan’s 1985 appearance was nothing short of explosive. Two years earlier, he’d stunned audiences at the same festival, dividing the crowd with his unrelenting intensity and volume. By 1985, the world had caught up — and this return to Montreux was his triumphant redemption.

From the opening lick of Scuttle Buttin’ to the final soulful notes of Life Without You, the set is a masterclass in modern electric blues. Vaughan’s tone was molten, his phrasing bold and emotional, his band — Double Trouble — locked in with razor-sharp precision. This wasn’t just another gig; it was the sound of a young Texas guitarist channeling every ounce of his soul through his Stratocaster.

The setlist reads like a crash course in Vaughan’s world: Pride and Joy, Texas Flood, Cold Shot, Couldn’t Stand the Weather — each song a staple of blues-rock history, played with passion and precision that only Stevie could deliver. The night’s performance also includes blistering renditions of Mary Had a Little Lamb and Voodoo Child (Slight Return), where Vaughan pays homage to Jimi Hendrix with his own unrestrained flair. Then there’s Tin Pan Alley, stretched into a smoldering, slow-burn blues epic — the kind of song that makes time stand still.

But the real magic comes in the quieter, emotional moments. Lenny and Life Without You, Vaughan’s encore numbers, close the night with a tenderness that reveals the heart behind the fire. His playing in these songs feels personal — like letters written in melody — and captures the spiritual dimension that made Stevie Ray Vaughan more than a guitar hero; he was a conduit for something deeper.

This 1985 Montreux performance marked a major milestone for Vaughan’s career. By then, he had already released Texas Flood and Couldn’t Stand the Weather, albums that reshaped the modern blues landscape. But it was his ability to dominate a live stage — night after night, note after note — that set him apart. His Montreux return silenced any lingering critics from his earlier appearance and won over the international crowd with raw emotion and staggering musicianship.

Each Live Nuggets broadcast is more than a concert replay — it’s a living, breathing tribute to the greatest moments in live music history. And this week’s feature, Stevie Ray Vaughan Live at Montreux 1985, stands as one of the series’ most powerful entries to date. The show captures the essence of what makes live music so timeless — the sweat, the soul, the imperfection, and the magic that happens when an artist and an audience connect.

So, whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering Stevie Ray Vaughan for the first time, don’t miss tonight’s broadcast. Pour a drink, dim the lights, and prepare for an hour and a half of blues heaven as JamFest’s Live Nuggets takes you straight to the shores of Lake Geneva for one of the most unforgettable performances ever captured on stage.

🎸 Tune in tonight at 9PM EST for Live Nuggets: Stevie Ray Vaughan Live at Montreux 1985 — only on JamFest Radio. One full concert. One legend. One night of pure, unfiltered electric blues.