THROUGH THE LENS: Best Bets for MerleFest 2025

One-hundred artists are scheduled to perform across 12 stages at this year’s MerleFest, to be held April 24-27, 2025 on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. 

The artists highlighted below are, with a couple notable exceptions, ones that regular MerleFest attendees may not be that familiar with. Most are first-timers, and all but four play sets that do not require reserved seats to be up close. This does not, however, mean you should skip stellar regulars such as Alison Brown, Peter Rowan, Jim Lauderdale, Donna the Buffalo, Della Mae, or Sam Bush.

As MerleFest’s lineups have become more diverse over the past few years, this one is no exception. However, this time it features more Americana artists than ever before, with many based in East Nashville. In any event I can highly recommend each and every one for the simple reason I have seen all of them perform on multiple occasions. Each one brings a new and fresh perspective on roots and traditional music.

But I will say right up front that there are three performers that are absolutely must sees — The War & Treaty, Tami Neilson, and Stephen Wilson Jr. They were life changing artists for me. Descriptions, times and stages are noted below.

You can learn more about each of these artists on MerleFest’s artist lineup page. While every effort has been made to correctly list the performers’ schedules, be sure to download the festival app, as last-minute changes are always possible.

Thursday

Wyatt Flores: Only 22, the Americana Music Association’s Emerging Artist nominee for 2024 brings a wealth of emotion and authenticity to his country flavored tunes, with just a touch of rock. 7:15 pm – 8:15 pm,  Watson Stage. 

Brent Cobb: Tempered with an easygoing manner, you’ll quickly succumb to Cobb’s rebellious spirited songs. 8:15 pm – 9:00 pm, Cabin Stage.

Friday

Tony Trischka’s EarlJam – Featuring Michael Daves:  A real treat of hearing Trischka, the banjo player’s banjo player, leading a stellar cast playing tunes he unearthed from rare recordings of private jams between Earl Scruggs and John Hartford. 12:45 pm – 1:30 pm, Watson Stage; 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm, Hillside Stage; 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm, Autograph Tent; 11:00 pm – 12:30 am,  Walker Center Stage.

Mattie Schell:  The St. Louis native deftly blends roots with the raw power of soul. 1:15 pm – 2:00 pm, Dance Stage; 5:45 pm – 6:30 pm, “B” Townes Americana Stage.

Damn Tall Buildings: The Brooklyn trio mixes bluegrass, swing, and foot-stomping old-time music like few other young bands. 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Creekside Stage; 2:45 pm – 3:30 pm, Dance Stage; 4:00 pm – 4:30 pm, Autograph Tent; 6:15 pm – 7:00 pm, Traditional Stage.

Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Chao Tian: From China To Appalachia: As its name suggests, two premiere folk traditionalists meet a classical hammered dulcimer master.  It’s a one-of-a-kind performance. 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm, Traditional Stage.

The Barefoot Movement: This husband-wife bluegrass duo expands the genre into areas few dare to go. 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Creekside Stage; 2:45 pm – 3:15 pm, Cabin Stage; 4:15 pm – 5:00 pm, Creekside Stage.

William Prince: Raised on a Peguis First Nation reservation in Canada, the Prince’s warm baritone brings a unique passion to his singular songs. 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm, Hillside Stage; 6:30 pm – 7:15 pm, Cabin Stage,

Tami Neilson: Whether she’s channeling queens of country music such as Patsy and Loretta or reaching deep into her soul to evoke Aretha, Nelison is a one-woman barn burner. Currently on tour with Willie Nelson, I don’t know if the MerleFest stage can contain her. One of her album’s title says it all, she’s DYNAMITE! 4:45 pm – 5:30 pm, Cabin Stage; 7:15 pm – 8:15 pm, Dance Stage.

The War And Treaty: The award winning husband and wife duo, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, now backed by a six-piece band, play a unique soulful, spiritual brand of music that envelops you in cascades of love. Expect to be converted.  5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Watson Stage.

Stephen Wilson Jr.: Not since Tyler Childers has one individual embodied such ferocity, a cross between Willie Nelson and Nirvana. You will not be the same after the Indiana-native’s performance. 8:15 pm – 9:00 pm, Cabin Stage.

Saturday

Humbird: ND’s Spotlight artist for April 2024, Humbird weaves traditional folk music with indie and experimental sounds into a rich tapestry all her own. 11:30 am – 12:15 pm, “B” Townes Americana Stage; 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm, Autograph Tent; 3:15 pm – 4:00 pm, Walker Center Stage.

Cristina Vane: Born in Italy to an American and Guatemalan parents, and inspired by bluesman Skip James, Vane, ND’s February 2025 Spotlight artist brings all this and more to the table. She’s been likened to a young Bonnie Raitt.  12:45 pm – 1:15 pm, Cabin Stage; 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm – 4:00 pm, Dance Stage.

Emily Nenni: California-born and Nashville-based Nenni songs reflect a  honky-tonk spirit fused with a substantial amount of soul. 2:00 pm – 2:45 pm, “B” Townes Americana Stage; 5:15 pm – 5:45 pm, Cabin Stage; 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm, Autograph Tent.

John R. Miller: West Virginian Miller takes a more earthy approach to a growling, snarling take on country and roots music.  3:15 pm – 4:00 pm, “B” Townes Americana Stage; 6:50 pm – 7:35 pm, Cabin Stage; 8:30 pm – 9:00 PM, Autograph Tent.

Roy Book Binder & Fats Kaplin:  Bookbinder is well know to MerleFest audiences, but do not miss this chance to see what he comes up with when he joins forces with the most versatile and in demand multi-instrumentalist Nashville has to offer, Fats Kaplin. 4:50 pm – 5:15 pm, Austin Stage at Mayes Pit (Cohn Auditorium); 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, “B” Townes Americana Stage. 

Asleep at The Wheel: Be sure to bring your dancing shoes as Ray Benson and company bring Texas swing music alive with a swagger that’s bound to get you up and out of your seat. 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm, Hillside Stage.

Sunday

The Secret Sisters: These two sisters from Alabama play a kaleidoscopic sound that boldly blurs the edges of country-folk. 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm Hillside Stage; 3:35 pm – 4:20 pm, Cabin Stage. 

Click on any photo to view the gallery as a full-size slideshow.