musicreporterblog

Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass

Category Archives: Live Music


by Leave a comment

MerleFest shares stage schedules for 36th annual festival on April 25-28

PBSNC Network Television Premiere of MerleFest Documentary “My Name is Merle” set for 10 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 

From the good folks at MerleFest:
MerleFest, presented by Window World, will hold its 36th annual festival April 25-28 on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Today festival organizers announced MerleFest pioneering artist John Cowan will join the already stellar lineup, including appearances by Old Crow Medicine Show, Turnpike Troubadours, The Teskey Brothers, Nickel Creek, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, The Earls of Leicester, and many more.

Additionally, the festival is proud to unveil the complete 2024 stage schedules, in conjunction with the release of the updated MerleFest 2024 mobile app (available now for download now on all Apple and Android devices), making it easier than ever to plan your weekend, set reminders for performance times, learn more about each artist, listen to the official MerleFest 2024 Spotify playlist, and much more.

Ahead of this year’s festival, MerleFest fans can enjoy a screening of director Robert Kinlaw’s award winning documentary, “My Name is Merle.” The film will premiere on Thursday, March 21, at 10 PM, on PBS NC and the free PBS App. Chronicling the rise and continued legacy of North Carolina’s favorite community fundraiser-turned renowned music festival, My Name is Merle is a delightful crash course in all things MerleFest. My Name is Merle is produced by EducationNC.

MerleFest is proud to once again welcome its 2024 Acoustic Kids Showcases with Andy May. Since 2001, the Acoustic Kids program has given young musicians of any skill level the opportunity to perform on festival stages in a supportive environment. Beginner through pro, all musicians 18 or younger are welcome to participate and share their music with the MerleFest audience. Each year, MerleFest hosts three, 1.5-hour showcases, and a half-hour Acoustic Kids Ambassadors set. Pre-registration is required to participate in Acoustic Kids and is open through March 20 (or until all showcases are full). Register early to hold your spot! Online registration, showcase schedules, and FAQs are available at https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids-registration-merlefest/, and detailed registration instructions are at https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/registration-instructions/.
The Wilkes Community College Foundation will host its fourth annual MerleFest Mega Raffle to support scholarships at WCC. Over $140,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded. ONLY 3,000 tickets will be sold, and you do not have to be present to win. The Mega Raffle drawings will be held during the festival on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at the Raffle/Silent Auction Tent at 2:00 p.m. Winners will be announced during the live drawings and notified via email and phone to confirm the prize. Raffle tickets are $100 each and include two entries to the MerleFest Mega Raffle drawings. Mega Raffle tickets ON SALE NOW! https://merlefest.org/megaraffle/
Celebrating its 36th year this spring, MerleFest continues to draw fans from all over the world to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains for four days of music, moments and memories. Proceeds from the annual event will support the year-round initiatives of Wilkes Community College while continuing to preserve and honor the legacies of its founding figures, Doc and Merle Watson.
MerleFest 2024 tickets are available now. For general admission passes, as well as patio seating, reserved seating, camping, parking, and more, please visit merlefest.org/purchase.


by Leave a comment

6th annual Tuck Fest set for April 19-21 at U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte

Charlotte’s sixth annual Tuck Fest set for April 19-21, 2024, celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions and demos at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, but also offers FREE live music interspersed with other activities Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday.

There is also a vendors’ village and the complex has several places to eat and drink. Competitions include trail running, kayaking, biking, climbing, stand-up paddle boarding, obstacle course and adventure racing. The name “Tuck Fest” comes from the Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail, a historical landmark located at the center.

Artists Lineup
Friday: Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway, The Heavy Heavy.
Saturday: Margo Price, Dylan LeBlanc.
Sunday: Courtney Barnett, Rayland Baxter.

Music starts 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; activities start 10 a.m.

While tickets are free, parking costs $6 daily per standard car, $18 per larger vehicle.


by Leave a comment

Tickets going fast for Dreamville Festival 2024

The popular Dreamville Festival has released the lineup for 2024. Some of the performers include Sza, Chris Brown, J.Cole and Nicki Minaj. The expanded two-day event will take place on April 6-7.

Dreamville 2024 lineup, dates and names:

Saturday, April 6

  • Sza
  • Chris Brown
  • J.I.D
  • Lil Yachty
  • Schoolboy Q
  • Sexxy Red
  • Jeremih
  • Earthgang
  • Teezo Touchdown
  • Amaarae
  • Lute
  • Luh Tyler
  • Domani

Sunday, April 7

  • J. Cole
  • Nicki Minaj
  • Rema
  • Jeezy
  • Monica
  • Rae Sremmurd
  • Key Glock
  • Bas
  • Muni Long
  • Cozz
  • Omen
  • Tiacorine
  • Chase Shakur

According to ABC 11, the 2022 Dreamville Festival brought $6.7 million to the local economy. Restaurants, bars and retail shops saw a boost in tourism revenue. Many area hotels saw an average 92% capacity rate.


by Leave a comment

Lovin’ Life Music Fest featuring The Avett Brothers, Post Malone, Stevie Nicks, Noah Kahan is coming to Uptown Charlotte on May 3-5

From the good folks at the new Lovin’ Life Music Festival:

Hey there music lovers, are you ready to sing along to some electrifying music? Well, hold onto your hats because the Lovin’ Life Music Fest is coming to Uptown Charlotte May 3-5, 2024, and it’s bringing the house down with an epic lineup that will blow your mind!

Charlotte-based Southern Entertainment, the brilliant minds behind this sensational festival, have just dropped the bombshell of all bombshells by revealing the star-studded roster of artists who will grace the stages of this inaugural event.

Picture this: under the dazzling lights of Uptown Charlotte, you’ll be swaying to the soulful melodies of Post Malone, getting lost in the timeless classics of Stevie Nicks, and feeling the vibes with Noah Kahan. But wait, there’s more! Prepare to be serenaded by the enchanting sounds of Maggie Rogers, get pumped up with The Chainsmokers, and get down with Charlotte’s very own DaBaby. And that’s just the tip of the musical iceberg!

Joining these headliners are a plethora of sensational acts spanning various genres and generations. From the heartfelt harmonies of The Avett Brothers to the infectious energy of The Fray, from the funky grooves of Ripe to the soulful stylings of Allen Stone, there’s something for everyone at Lovin’ Life Music Fest.

But let’s not forget about our homegrown talent! The QC Local Stage will be buzzing with the electrifying performances of Charlotte’s very own musical prodigies, including Sweet Spine, Modern Alibi, Fox N’ Vead, and many more. Get ready to show them some love and support as they take center stage and rock your world!

And hey, it’s not just about the music at Lovin’ Life. We’re talking about a celebration of arts, culture, and cuisine that will tantalize your senses and leave you craving for more. With ticket sales skyrocketing and sponsors clamoring to be a part of this musical extravaganza, it’s safe to say that Charlotte is on its way to becoming the next big Music City!

So mark your calendars, spread the word, and get ready for the ultimate music experience of a lifetime at Lovin’ Life Music Fest. For more information about the lineup drop, click here.

Let’s jam, Charlotte! See you at the festival!


by Leave a comment

DelFest announces Phase 2 of 2024 lineup


DEL YEAH! Two iconic musical families are going to join forces for a one-of-a-kind set as Lukas Nelson will be backed by The Travelin’ McCourys, the organizers of DelFest, set for May 23-26 in Cumberland Maryland, announced today.

“We are also so excited to announce some newcomers to DelFest this year: Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Shinyribs, John Craigie, The Mountain Grass Unit and Jig Jam, along with returning acts such as Brothers Comatose and more! Get ready for an exciting mix of familiar faces and new artists at DelFest this year! Regardless of whether it’s their first time or a return performance, they’re all part of the DelFest family!”

Phase 2 of DelFest’s 2024 lineup has been announced! We are thrilled to announce a dozen more artists, some of which will be experiencing the Festival for the first time! This year’s lineup (so far!) is:

The Del McCoury Band
The Travelin’ McCourys
Lukas Nelson with The Travelin’ McCourys
Greensky Bluegrass
Old Crow Medicine Show
Sierra Ferrell
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
Leftover Salmon
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
Yonder Mountain String Band
Shinyribs
John Craigie
The Brothers Comatose
Sam Grisman Project
Davisson Brothers Band
Sister Sadie
The Mountain Grass Unit
Mr. Sun
East Nash Grass
The Sweet Lillies
Big Richard
Dré Anders
Jig Jam
Joe Mullin & The Radio Ramblers
The Broomestix
Dirty Grass Players
Sweet Sally
Armchair Boogie
Joe Craven MC

And we’re not done yet! Hang tight for phase 3, and until then… Del Yeah!

Learn more at www.delfest.com.


by Leave a comment

Rooster Walk 14 announces final band additions, including North Mississippi Allstars, Big Something, Jim Lauderdale, The Seldom Scene

From the good folks at Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival:

Rooster Walk 14 has announced the following bands have been added to its final lineup for the event on May 23-26, 2024, at Pop’s Farm just outside Martinsville, Virginia:
 
North Mississippi Allstars, Big Something, Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers, The Seldom Scene, The Rooster Walk House Band, Myron Elkins, The Collection, Kaira Ba, Holler Choir, Lillie Mae, Kind Hearted Strangers, Florencia & The Feeling, The Shoaldiggers, Sela Campbell, Raffi Kids’ Set, Sugarbush

The North Mississippi Allstars, an internationally touring blues band known for its rollickingly energetic shows, top the third and final list of bands joining the 14th annual Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival lineup. NMAs, which will be making its RW debut, have been nominated for four Grammys over a 25-year career that has produced 12 albums and countless sold out shows.

Big Something will also join the RW14 lineup. The North Carolina-based jamband has played nearly a half-dozen Rooster Walks over the years. The six-piece band is known for its big sound of soaring guitar solos, synth, horns and soulful vocals.

Other bands getting added to the lineup include: Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers (Roots rock, iconic songwriter from Nashville, TN); The Seldom Scene (internationally celebrated pioneers of progressive bluegrass); The Rooster Walk House Band (all-star collective featuring Ron Holloway, Jeff Sipe, Josh Shilling, Wallace Mullinax, Florencia Rusinol, Jake Dempsey and friends); Myron Elkins (swamp rock, Otsego, MI); The Collection (Indi Rock, Saxapahaw, NC); Kaira Ba (world music, North Carolina); Holler Choir (old-time, Asheville, NC); Lillie Mae (Singer/songwriter, Nashville, TN); Kind Hearted Strangers (rock, Colorado); Florencia & The Feeling (R&B/soul, Johnson City, TN); The Shoaldiggers (Horny swampgrass, North Carolina); Sela Campbell (country, Northern Virginia); Raffi Kids’ Set (Raffi Tribute by Miles Andrews and full band; Saxapahaw, NC); Sugarbush (rock/blues, Virginia).

Bands that had been previously announced to the RW14 lineup include:  Emmylou Harris (Country Music Hall of Fame inductee with five No. 1 singles on the Billboard country music charts, Nashville, TN); Cory Wong (funk/rock/pop, Minneapolis, MN);  Broke Mountain Bluegrass Band (Colorado supergroup featuring members of Greensky Bluegrass, Leftover Salmon, the Infamous Stringdusters, Jon Stickley Trio and more); two nights of Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country (Nashville, Tenn., jam twang); TAUK Moore (funk collaboration between Doom Flamingo’s Kanika Moore and TAUK);  Dogs in a Pile (a New Jersey-based funk/jazz/rock jamband); Couch (Boston, Mass. – funk/rock/soul); Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast (Asheville, N.C. – rock); Yarn (NC/NY roots rockers who will once again perform an original set and a festival-finishing tribute set); Arkansauce (progressive bluegrass from northwest Arkansas); Sneezy (high-energy party music from Chicago, Ill.); The Mountain Grass Unit (up-and-coming bluegrass shredders from Alabama); Isaac Hadden Organ Trio (masterful  musicianship from a North Carolina power trio); Sol Driven Train (upbeat, horn-driven rock’n’roll beach vibes from Charleston, SC); J & The Causeways (New Orleans-based soul powerhouse reminiscent of St. Paul & The Broken Bones); Sticks N Thorns (bluegrass duo featuring Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon and Jon Stickley); Travis Book & Friends (Asheville, N.C., Americana/rock band led by The Infamous Stringdusters’ Travis Book); Colby T. Helms & The Virginia Creepers (bluegrass from nearby Franklin County, Va.); Clay Street Unit (Colorado-based honky tonk/roots rock); The Jared Stout Band (New River Valley, VA, southern rock); and Mighty Joshua (authentic reggae from central Virginia); TC Carter Band (blues, Martinsville, Va.); Lua Flora (Asheville, N.C. – beach folk); Big Fat Gap (Chapel Hill, N.C. – bluegrass); Jules & The Agreeables (Key West, Fla. – rock); DJ What (Martinsville, Va. – DJ); Pirates of the Piedmont (Martinsville, Va. – pirate shanties).

ROOSTER WALK 13 (2023) RECAP VIDEO

Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

The Steel Wheels go ‘Sideways’ with new album

Virginia string band The Steel Wheels have expanded their sound on the new album, “Sideways,” while at the same time sticking to their bluegrass roots.

Released Feb. 9, the album’s title track begins with the clawhammer banjo then builds, as many of the band’s songs do, into something more raucous that includes drums and colorful electric guitar textures.

“It’s beautiful and crushing to be alive sometimes,” band leader Trent Wagler said in a statement. “We aren’t here to sing songs that only cut one way — but if they do, they’ll cut sideways.”

But don’t take our words for it, check out the title track at this link: https://youtu.be/vZStXW1cNBY

The Steel Wheels enlisted producer Sam Kassirer, who’s known for his work with Lake Street Dive, Langhorne Slim and Josh Ritter, among others, to help create “Sideways.”

The band is currently touring in support of the album, after stopping in Elkin earlier this month and at the Salvage Station in Asheville on March 2 and the Broadberry in Richmond on March 27.

The group is the host band of the annual Red Wing Roots Music Festival in Mt. Solon, Virginia, set for June 21-23. The fest’s impressive lineup includes Kurt Vile, Bonny Light Horseman, Sierra Hull, Brent Cobb and Pokey LaFarge and many others. For more info and tickets, click here.


by Leave a comment

PineCone presents Down Home Concert Series 2024 featuring Appalachian Road Show, Balsam Range, Don Flemons and many more


PineCone, Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, has another acoustic music Down Home Concert Series planned for 2024, which opened on Jan. 12 with Dan Tyminski, the voice behind the “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack hit “Man of Constant Sorrow,” drawing a sold-out crowd to the 600-seat A.J. Fletcher Opera Theatre within downtown Raleigh’s Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.

The Down Home Concert Series has another seven shows scheduled, all of them happening Friday nights at Fletcher Opera Theatre. The rest of the season breaks down as follows (tickets for all events are on sale at pinecone.org).

Feb. 23 Appalachian Road Show – PineCone

Appalachian Road Show invites you to come and sit a spell as the five-piece band weaves together songs and stories emanating from the mountains and hollers of North Carolina and Virginia, to the coal mines of West Virginia and Kentucky. The band was nominated for the coveted “Entertainer of the Year” Award at the 2023 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards.

Graphic with "2024 Down Home" and photo of Appalachian Road Show
Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

N.C. History Museum presents Tar Heel Troubadours: Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road on Saturday, Feb. 17

International Bluegrass Music Assocation fans and MerleFest faithful: The North Carolina Museum of History will present Tar Heel Troubadours: Liam Purcell & Cane Mill Road from 7–8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. Purcell leads Cane Mill Road as they rock the traditional bluegrass standards they were raised on. The band also writes original music for the bluegrass, old-time and Americana genres.

From the museum’s website: “Join us for Tar Heel Troubadours, a celebration of Americana, roots, bluegrass, and traditional music performed by artists from or living and working in North Carolina.

Continue reading →


by Leave a comment

MerleFest 2024 announces finalists for 9th annual band competition

Top Row (left): Saylor Brothers, Zach Brock, Mild Goose Chase; Middle Row (left): Holler Choir, Florencia & The Feeling; Bottom Row (left): Screamin’ Bridge, The Dirty French Broads, The High & Wides

MerleFest, presented by Window World, has announced the finalists for its ninth annual band competition, which will be held during this year’s festival, April 25-28, on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Tickets for the MerleFest Mega Raffle went on sale Feb. 1, and with prizes like a brand-new Ford Bronco and Harley Davidson motorcycle, tickets are going fast! The 2024 festival will also see an outpouring of support from volunteers as applications reach record numbers.

Since its inception, MerleFest has emphasized its commitment to celebrating emerging talent and supporting artists of all backgrounds and experience levels. Each year, the festival provides some of today’s most fresh and noteworthy voices to showcase their virtuosity by performing alongside their peers during Saturday’s festivities. Of the eight finalists competing, one winner will earn the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of festival goers.

The band competition performances will take place Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the winner will be announced on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. The winning band will perform on Sunday, April 28, at the Hillside Stage at 11 a.m.

This year’s Band Competition will include:
The Dirty French Broads (Asheville, NC)

Florencia & The Feeling (Johnson City, TN)

The High & Wides (Baltimore, MD)

Holler Choir (Asheville, NC)

Mild Goose Chase (Winston Salem, NC)

Saylor Brothers (Asheville, NC)

Screamin’ Bridge (Williamston, NC)

Zach Brock (Yadkinville, NC)