Nashville Live Music

Category : MERLEFEST

MERLEFEST

MerleFest 2026 Delivers

Liz Ferrell
by Liz Ferrell01072
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

MerleFest 2025 Highlights

Nancy Posey
by Nancy Posey02369
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

MerleFest 2025: The Usual Suspects

Nancy Posey
by Nancy Posey01594
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......
MERLEFEST

Bonnie Raitt Headlines MerleFest 2025

Nancy Posey
by Nancy Posey01200
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......
MERLEFEST

Who’s Coming to MerleFest: Full Cord

Nancy Posey
by Nancy Posey02141
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......
MERLEFEST

MERLEFEST 2025 ADDS TO LINEUP

Nancy Posey
by Nancy Posey01551
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......
FESTIVALS MERLEFEST

MerleFest Announces Initial Lineup and Return of the Late Night Jam

Nancy Posey
by Nancy Posey02350
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......