MERLEFEST - Music City Music Magazine

MerleFest 2026 Delivers

Liz FerrellMay 4, 2026May 6, 20260

You know you’re at a pretty special event when the Avett Brothers show up unannounced. By the morning of Saturday, April 25th, the 38th annual MerleFest had already offered up two days of uncommonly gorgeous weather, lawn games, fair food, and some of the best music on the planet....

MerleFest 2025 Highlights

Nancy PoseyMay 3, 2025May 16, 20250

While first-time performers at MerleFest–particularly those outside the bluegrass genre–sometimes express concern that their music may be outside of audience expectations, regular festival-goers know the musical borders are wide. Wyatt Flores suggested he might be “the elephant in the room.” His devoted fans throughout the audience begged to differ. Then...

MerleFest 2025: The Usual Suspects

Nancy PoseyMay 2, 2025May 5, 20250

All the planning leading up the MerleFest brings a balance of new artists and regular favorites to the four-day festival in Wilkesboro, NC, established 37 years ago by Doc Watson in memory of his son Merle. Now held on a dozen stages across the Wilkes Community College campus, the festival...

Bonnie Raitt Headlines MerleFest 2025

Nancy PoseyMay 1, 2025May 4, 20250

When the MerleFest lineup is announced every year, certain names generate huge buzz, particularly when making first-time appearances at the festival. For 2025, Bonnie Raitt not only drew festival-goers, but other performers scheduled to play the festival invariably named Raitt as the not-to-miss set. Raitt did not disappoint. Closing out...

Who’s Coming to MerleFest? Tony Trischka Brings Earl Jam

Nancy PoseyApr 24, 20250

When people outside of the bluegrass world think of banjos, they may think of Deliverance, but within the larger music community—and not just bluegrass—o ne name that comes to mind is Tony Trischka. He has played with the best—and even taught some of the best in the music business. Trischka...

Who’s Coming to MerleFest: Full Cord

Nancy PoseyApr 15, 2025April 15, 20250

For Michigan-based bluegrass band Full Cord, MerleFest has long been the kickoff of festival season. Guitarist Eric Langejans and bassist Todd Kirchner both attended the festival for years before they knew each other. Langejans first attended the North Wilkesboro, NC, festival with a friend when he was twenty and has...

Who’s Coming to MerleFest: Woody Platt

Nancy PoseyApr 14, 20250

Woody Platt describes his MerleFest experience as an interesting evolution. “Back in college, we flocked to the festival,” he said, “but mainly to go on the camp on the airstrip and play music in the campground. Sometimes we didn’t have tickets or we only could go in for a day...

MERLEFEST 2025 ADDS TO LINEUP

Nancy PoseyDec 12, 2024December 25, 20240

With an already-stellar lineup in place, the organizers of MerleFest announced additional artists. I’m with Her, the trio composed of Sarah Jarosz, Aiofe O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins, will perform on Friday, along with William Prince, The Cleverlys, and Tami Neilson. On Saturday, the Steel Wheels and John McEuen and the...

MerleFest Announces Initial Lineup and Return of the Late Night Jam

Nancy PoseyNov 12, 2024November 12, 20240

November 12, 2024 (Wilkesboro, NC) The initial 2025 lineup for the 37th annual MerleFest, set for April 24–27, was announced today, with the return of some favorite North Carolina-based groups, including The Avett Brothers and Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange). This year’s lineup also includes the legendary singer/songwriter Bonnie Raitt, IBMA...

MERLEFEST 2024: SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Nancy PoseyMay 6, 2024January 11, 20260

Saturday at MerleFest poses a challenge for festival-goers with a bad case of FOMO: At any given time slot, several stages beckon. With a choice of either seeing MerleFest favorite performers one more time or checking out some of the new acts on the lineup, the only guarantee is good...