musicreporterblog

Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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Boots in the Gorge featuring Clint Black, Josh Turner, Confederate Railroad and more set for July 31-Aug. 1

Boots in the Gorge is a two-day country music festival at ACE Adventure Resort in West Virginia’s New River Gorge, featuring top country artists, outdoor adventures and on-site camping.

Boots in the Gorge 2026 will take place July 31 to Aug. 1 at ACE Adventure Resort in the New River Gorge, West Virginia The festival showcases a mix of national headliners, Nashville stars and Appalachian performers, including Clint Black, Josh Turner and Confederate Railroad. It is designed as a full weekend experience combining live country music with outdoor recreation.

Attendees can enjoy on-site camping, a variety of food and drink options, and a lively mountaintop party atmosphere. Mornings can be spent exploring the gorge with activities such as whitewater rafting, ziplining and hiking, while evenings feature live music performances under the stars. The festival caters to fans of red dirt, outlaw, pop-country, bluegrass and honky tonk.

Tickets and Information

Tickets are available for purchase through the festival’s official website, with options for general admission, VIP packages, and camping passes. The festival website also provides a comprehensive FAQ covering what to bring, where to stay, and how to maximize the festival experience. Visit bootsinthegorge.com.

Venue Highlights

ACE Adventure Resort spans 1,500 acres of scenic landscape in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, offering a combination of adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities and mountaintop relaxation wvpress.org. The resort hosts multiple music festivals during the summer, with Boots in the Gorge being its newest country-focused event. For anyone looking to combine live country music, outdoor adventure, and a vibrant festival atmosphere, Boots in the Gorge 2026 promises a memorable experience for all ages


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2026 Hopscotch Music Festival ticket prices increase at noon on Tuesday, July 28

Experience all three days of music at Hopscotch Music Festival on Sept. 10-12, 2026, in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, from Moore Square and City Plaza to the participating club venues. Tuesday, July 28, is the last chance to secure a Three-Day GA Pass for just $129! BUY PASSES

Single-Day Passes go on sale also on Tuesday at 12pm ET! Whether you can only join the festival for just one day or have your eye on a specific day’s lineup, this is your chance.⚠️ Quantities are limited, so don’t wait if you’re planning to grab one. Whether you’re coming for one day or all three, find the ticket that fits you and we’ll see you in September. BUY PASSES

The party doesn’t stop at City Plaza and Moore Square Commons – check out which of Raleigh’s most beloved and iconic clubs are joining us for Hopscotch 2026! From intimate halls to jam-packed clubs, this is where Hopscotch comes alive. LEARN MORE

Interested in Hosting a Day Party?

Bring Hopscotch to your doorstep!Learn how Downtown Raleigh businesses can host an official Day Party during festival weekend and land a spot on our schedule.Applications close on August 21st at 11:59pm ET. LEARN MORE


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3rd annual Next Door Music Festival set for Saturday, Aug. 8, in Oxford, N.C.

Experience one of Granville County’s premier summer music events at the Next Door Music Festival from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 313 E. Spring St, in Oxford, North Carolina. This growing festival brings together talented North Carolina bands, local food vendors and a vibrant community atmosphere for a day of live entertainment. Enjoy performances by Cor De Lux, Blab School, Flatrock, Hex Files, Gone Ghost, and Worthington’s Law while exploring local vendors and enjoying festival favorites from area food trucks. Set in the heart of Oxford, the event showcases the region’s thriving music scene and creative culture, making it a perfect outing for music lovers, families, and visitors alike. The celebration continues with an official after-party at Humble Pour from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with additional details to be announced soon. Admission is free, so bring your friends, support local artists, and enjoy a memorable day of live music in Granville County.

Learn more at the following link: https://visitgranvillenc.com/whats-happening/#!/300679-next-door-music-festival


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North Carolina Folk Fest announces schedule for FREE events Sept. 18-20, 2026, in Greensboro, plus additional shows in July, August

You can find the schedule for this FREE event in Greensboro at the following link: https://www.ncfolkfestival.com/schedule

In the meantime, there are a number of free shows happening BEFORE the NC Folk Fest hits the stage:

local folk concert

Jul24

July 24, 2026

The Flat Iron

local folk concert

Aug14

August 14, 2026

The Crown

local folk concert + festival kickoff!

Sep17

September 17, 2026

The Pyrle

Local Artists. Right Now.

The next wave of folk starts here.

This summer, we’re highlighting LOCAL emerging artists who are shaping what folk music looks and sounds like right now. Four concerts. Four distinct sounds.

Presented in partnership with The Arts Council of Greater Greensboro.

Local Folk isn’t just about playing a show. It’s about supporting artists beyond the stage.

This year, we’re teaming up with Alycee Byrd Photography to provide day-of-show photography plus free professional headshots for participating artists.

We’re also partnering with Notes for Notes to offer free studio time, giving artists a chance to keep building their sound long after the set ends.

Participating venues will also provide sound board audio recordings of performances so artists can walk away with more than just the memory of the night.

Learn more at https://www.ncfolkfestival.com/localfolk.


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Ticket prices for FloydFest ’26 on July 22-26 go up July 1

FloydFest organizers have released the final lineup of acts to be included in the 2026 edition of the festival, FloydFest~Daydream, which is set to take place at FestivalPark on July 22-26.

The inaugural announcement regarding FloydFest~Daydream on Nov. 6 introduced a quartet of 2026 headliners: Grammy Award-winning rock-and-soul juggernaut Tedeschi Trucks Band, rock-and-roll cultural legends My Morning Jacket, songcraft-alchemist Stephen Wilson Jr. and Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lukas Nelson.

Organizers said these headlining acts “serve as a powerful representation of both Across-the-Way’s brand of purposeful programming, as well as the company’s dedication to delivering artists who top its patrons’ annual request lists.”

The strengths of those headliners are buttressed by additional artists in 2026’s initial announcement: 

  • Larkin Poe
  • The Word (Ft. Robert Randolph, John Medeski, and North Mississippi Allstars)
  • Andy Frasco and The U.N., Amble
  • AJ Lee and Blue Summit
  • The Creekers
  • Penelope Road 
  • Caitlin Krisko and The Broadcast
  • Jason Scott and The High Heat
  • Lespecial
  • MT Jones 
  • Cruz Contreras and The Black Lillies
  • Coyote Island
  • Johnny Mullenax
  • Isaac Hadden
  • Music Road Co.

All artists on the initial announcement (and all subsequent announcements) can be discovered and explored via extensive bios, links and music at www.floydfest.com/lineup.

Additional information — including a 2026 Site Map, updated FAQs, Children’s Universe information, a playlist featuring FloydFest~Daydream artists, more information about camping and parking, and more as announcements roll out — is available online at www.floydfest.com. 

Patrons are encouraged to secure tickets now for FloydFest 26~Daydream by visiting either www.floydfest.com or www.aftontickets.com/floydfest26daydream. Following the increase to Tier 1 pricing on Nov. 14, the Tier 2 increase is set for March 1, 2026, with the third and final move to Tier 3 pricing scheduled for July 1, if tickets remain.

Visit the following link for tickets and more information: www.floydfest.com


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That Station’s Artist Notes returns to NC State’s The Corner with River Shook, Chatham County Line members, Couldn’t Be Happiers, Mipso’s Joseph Terrell and many more

That Station’s Artist Notes will return to The Corner this year with more beautiful summer evenings of music and relaxation, organizers have announced.

Each night will feature an artist who will play their unique brand of music and share personal insights. Chris Edge will guide us through the ups and downs of our featured artists’ careers and the stories behind their songs.

The event is free and so is parking. We’ll have food trucks on-site and beer available for purchase. You can bring camp chairs, leashed dogs and coolers with beer, wine and food.

Gates will open at 6:30 p.m., and performances will begin at 7 p.m.  The address is 941 Main Campus Dr. in Raleigh. The CornerView map 

Following is the 2026 season lineup:

May 29: River Shook and Emma Rae
Food truck: The Flat Drum

June 12: Dave Wilson & John Teer (of Chatham County Line) and hushpuppy
Food truck: MoMoMandu

July 10: Larry & Joe and Couldn’t Be Happiers
Food truck: Greek on Wheels

July 24: IAMDYNAMITE and Rich Richards
Food truck: Kao Thai

Aug 7: Joseph Terrell (of Mipso) and Emily Burdette
Food truck: The Blue Window


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Join the Raleigh Wide Open Lineup announcement on May 12 at Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard

Wanna be first to hear who’s playing the 2026 Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival? Come to our free Lineup Announcement live event on May 12, part of our weekly Beer and Banjos concert at Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard in Raleigh.

From 6:30-9 p.m., you’ll hear music from the Beer and Banjos All-Stars and a guest band, and we’ve got some extra fun in store as we unveil the festival lineup. It’ll also be the first opportunity to buy our brand-new 2026 festival merch – yes, our beloved banjo-hoisting squirrel will be prominently featured! 

Beer and Banjos is a free, family-friendly evening of roots music every Tuesday at Raleigh’s Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard. Hosted by the mighty local musicians known collectively as the Beer and Banjos Allstars, these weekly concerts feature guest musicians and take place on Bowstring’s spacious patio when the weather allows, or inside by the bar when rain, heat, or cold threaten the vibe.

Tips for the musicians are gratefully accepted (look for a helper walking around with a bucket for cash and QR codes for online tips), and don’t forget to check out the merch table. Bowstring serves tasty pizza and other food as well as cold beer and other beverages.

Learn more about Beer and Banjos events statewide here.

IF YOU GO

Raleigh Wide Open Lineup Announcement … Live!

Tuesday, May 12, 2026 , 6:30pm-9:00pm

Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard 1930 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh

Directions

A note about parking …

Parking at Bowstring Brewyard can fill up fast. If you arrive and find the parking lot full, here are some options:

PAY PARKING: Exit the Bowstring parking lot by turning right onto Wake Forest Road, then quickly take a right (at the light) onto E. Whitaker Mill Rd. Turn right into the parking lot of the StorageMax and look for a kiosk to pay.

FREE PARKING: Turn right out of the Bowstring parking lot and quickly turn left at the light onto E. Whitaker Mill Rd. Turn left into the parking lot of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. It’s about a 5-10 minute walk back to Bowstring from there.


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Tickets go on sale TODAY for 25th Austin City Limits Music Festival on Oct. 2-4 and Oct. 9-11 at Zilker Park

This festival is on my bucket list! And this year’s lineup is very tempting with Kings of Leon, Lorde, Brandon Flowers and Asleep at the Wheel just to name a few of the many talented acts set to hit the stages over two weekends. Who are you excited to see? Tickets go on sale at 1 p.m. EST at https://www.aclfestival.com/lineup!


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Red Wing Roots Music Festival announces full lineup for June 19-21, 2026, event at Natural Chimneys Park

For tickets, camping and more info, visit www.redwingroots.com.


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2026 Bynum Front Porch Friday Night Music Series kicks off May 1

Bynum Front Porch, at 950 Bynum Road in Pittsboro, North Carolina, is a relaxed setting to enjoy music and worth the drive. They host several regularly scheduled events, including storytelling, a music series, and a bluegrass jam session, open to all. Bynum Front Porch is a nonprofit that rents the old Bynum General Store, turning it into a community gathering spot.

In the warm months, enjoy live music on Fridays, outside the store. These events are free, but the pith helmet will be passed to collect tips for the band. Friday Night Music Series takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m., from May 1 to August 28, 2026, except for July 3.

  • May 1: Secret Monkey Weekend
  • May 8: John Howie Jr. & Rosewood Bluff
  • May 15: Orange County Lockdown
  • May 22: Gravy Boys
  • May 29: The Old Ceremony
  • June 5: Jack the Radio
  • June 12: Dub Lorenzo
  • June 19: Them
  • June 26: Kit McCay
  • July 3: No Music
  • July 10: Mad Crush
  • July 17: GrassStreet
  • July 24: Bulltown Strutters
  • July 31: Graymatter
  • August 7: A Different Thread
  • August 14: Nine Times Around
  • August 21: Deep Chatham Ramblers
  • August 28: Bluegrass Experience

Bluegrass Jam Sessions

On the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, a bluegrass jam is held inside the store at 10 a.m. All are welcome! Please make sure to check Bynum Front Porch’s Facebook page, or even contact them, to make sure there are no changes.