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.
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.
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 atwww.floydfest.com.
Patrons are encouraged to secure tickets now for FloydFest 26~Daydream by visiting eitherwww.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
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
One of the constants at MerleFest is that it will rain. Sometimes it’s just a few drops and sometimes it’s a downpour, but as someone who has attended this premiere outdoor (mostly) festival that celebrates all types of music faithfully for more than two decades, I can promise you that something will fall from the sky and this year was no different.
Photo by Pixels on Paper Photography
Another constant at MerleFest is Jim Lauderdale, who made his 29th appearance this year. You can always find Lauderdale, a native North Carolinian, performing on one stage or another as well as jumping in to jam with The Waybacks during the popular Album Hour or just walking around the Wilkes Community College campus on his way to or from another set chatting with other musicians or fans.
This year Lauderdale released his 39th album — yes, you read that right 39th — called “The Birds Know” with The Po’Ramblin’ Boys at MerleFest on April 24. Lauderdale kicked off Friday’s festivities on the Creekside Stage with tunes from his new bluegrass album as well as his 38th album, Country Super Hits Volume 2, which he released in March.
It’s not the first time the Americana legend has teamed up with IBMA Award-winning torchbearers The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys. “The Birds Know” is a follow-up to 2023’s “The Long and Lonesome Letting Go” which also featured The Po’Ramblin’ Boys.
Malpassfest promises to be a fun-filled weekend of incredible music, band meet-and-greets, camping, great food and shopping—all right on site. Three-day passes are only $100 through April 24. It’s a festival with something the whole family will enjoy! Don’t miss your chance to see the headliners,The Malpass Brothers, and catch other amazing performances from Riders In The Sky, The Grascals, The Kody Norris Show, Sister Sadie, and many more stellar acts. There will also be a jam session with The Malpass Brothers on Thursday and Friday nights beginning at 10:30 p.m. For tickets, camping information, and all the details, visit this link: https://dentonfarmpark.com/bluegrass-festival/
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