While Thursday’s sets mainly took place on the Watson Stage or Cabin Stage, by Friday, MerleFest performances were spread out across the Wilkes Community College Campus, requiring planning to get from one great show to the next. Festival-goers had the opportunity to discover some rising stars. Regional favorites The Harris Brothers played the Cabin Stage before Alexa Rose, former Chris Austin Songwriting Contest winner from western Virginia, played the Watson Stage.
Throughout the day, the American Stage hosted powerful performances by Keyshona, Buffalo Nichols, and Mark Bumgarner.
Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road, who have appeared regularly on MerleFest stages, played old favorites and songs from Yellow Line, their latest album on the Traditional Stage.
Making their first MerleFest appearance, Arkansauce kicked up the tempo in the Dance Test, highlighting songs from their most recent OK to Wonder album–including “Up on the Shelf,” and their instrumental “Funky Gorilla,” as well as “Next Time Around” and “Peephole.”