musicreporterblog

Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival to feature more than 40 artists for FREE on Oct. 1-3

The streets of downtown Raleigh will come alive for the second Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival, presented by PNC, with more than 40 artists performing music on multiple stages along downtown’s Fayetteville Street.

There will be something for nearly every musical taste including bluegrass, folk, country, rock, norteño, gospel and many other genres blended in, “played by real humans who make music about real things,” according to the website. Best of all, it’s FREE! There are no tickets or wristbands needed. Just show up ready to enjoy a great time with friends and family.

Visit the Lineup Page to get to know each artist.

I am particularly looking forward to hearing Caleb Caudle, Hank, Pattie and the Current, The Honeydew Drops, Tan and Sober Gentlemen, Jacob Sharpe and Joseph Terrell of Mipso, Shinyribs, Jim Lauderdale and Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road. I am also looking forward to being introduced to new artists I haven’t had the chance to hear before.

In addition there will be arts vendors, food trucks, an N.C. Family Fun Zone, and more all celebrating roots music and community.

It all starts on Thursday evening, Oct. 1, with a Kickoff Celebration featuring music under the string lights at The Corner on N.C. State’s Centennial Campus. Then, on Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3, downtown Raleigh comes alive with multiple stages of music and a celebration of community that spans several city blocks.

The festival remains free this year thanks to generous sponsors and donors, whose support ensures the music is accessible to everyone.

To see the full artist lineup and schedule and learn more at raleighwideopen.com.

If you go


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Yarnival VI Music and Alternative Arts Festival set for Oct. 8-10 at Pop’s Farm

From Yarn:

YARNIVAL VI IS BACK AT POP’S FARM, 675 Hobson Road, Axton, Virginia, in an effort to continue to grow and keep getting better.  Last year was incredible – quite possibly Yarn’s greatest achievement in our nearly 20 years as a band!

At Yarnival every ticket is a VIP, we will be limiting the number of tickets we sell and continue the laidback vibe that has made our past Yarnival’s so welcoming, friendly and comfortable. 

PLEASE AS ALWAYS BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE AT THIS LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/yarnival-vi-tickets-1983368792449?msockid=2ba7a2ddf68b6ecf25e5b43ff28b6a90

We will continue to feature whatever kind of music we feel like alongside our feature of alternative forms of entertainment, i.e. magic, carnival arts, circus performers, etc… You won’t be seeing any super “big names” at our festival but you will be seeing talent that is equal to or even greater than said “big names.” Most likely some will even go on to become “big names.” The difference between a band that draws a hundred people every night and 10,000 people every night is a tiny speck of dust. Albeit magic dust, but just a little dust nonetheless.

So please mark your calendars, SAVE THE DATE, and spread the word, Yarnival VI is coming back to Pop’s Farm this October 8th through 10th, and we’ll grow it until it feels just right. 

Yarnival VI Lineup

Oct 8, 2026

Oct 9, 2026

Oct 10, 2026


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22nd Fall Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance set for Oct. 1-4, 2026

The Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance, a collaboration between the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center and the GrassRoots Festival Organization, provides a family-friendly celebration of music, dance, art and education.

Tickets are on sale now for the 22nd Fall Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance set for Oct. 1-4, 2026, in bucolic Chatham County, N.C., about a 30-minute drivewest of Raleigh and east of Greensboro.

This year’s lineup features your host, Donna the Buffalo, along with alt-country sensation Margo Price, Anders Osborne, The Steel Wheels and appropriately, Chatham County Line, among many, many more acts.

On-site camping is available. Learn more at this link.

The Shakori Hills Community Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Make a donation to the SHCAC!

The Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival Organization is also a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. Find out more about the GrassRoots Family.


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JJ Grey & Mofro and The 502s to take the stage at Band Together’s 25th Anniversary Mighty Giveback Concert on Saturday, Oct. 10

From the good folks at Band Together:

Band Together announces the 2026 Mighty Giveback concert on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at the Lincoln Theatre Outdoor Stage in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. This milestone event marks 25 years of impact and a continued commitment to creating Infinite Good across the region.

Headlined by Southern soul powerhouse JJ Grey & Mofro, with high-energy indie folk favorites The 502s, the 2026 concert carries forward Band Together’s legacy of pairing nationally recognized artists with meaningful local impact.

Proceeds from the Mighty Giveback concert support Band Together’s 2026 Impact Partners across two key areas, Music and Community. Our music impact partner is The Raleigh Music Collective, empowering youth with music education. Our community impact partners are Oak City Cares, who connect people experiencing homelessness to services and care, and PORCH Communities, who create sustainable neighborhood-based hunger relief programs.

Continue reading →


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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