The 36th annual MerleFest promises something for every musical taste.
The North Carolina foothills are about to come alive again with the sound of music (someone call Julie Andrews!). The 36th edition of MerleFest—the annual celebration of “traditional-plus” music (think a mix of bluegrass, newgrass, blues, country, rock, folk and more)—is rolling through Wilkes Community College campus in Wilkesboro April 25–28.
Founded by late legend Doc Watson, the Americana fest—named after Watson’s son and fellow picker, Merle—promises something for every musical taste, with 100+ musicians taking to 13 stages throughout the weekend. A musical choose your own adventure, if you will. Nearly 80,000 festivalgoers from across the country and beyond are expected to attend this year’s festival, according to MerleFest Director Frederick “B” William Townes IV, affectionately known as the father of MerleFest.
Want to go to MerleFest for free? The festival is still looking for volunteers, which typically number more than 4,000! Email [email protected] to learn more.
Also a boon for the community, the economic impact totals ~$12–15 million, with the revenue serving 45 local nonprofits. “It grew from a one-day one-man concert to a two-day multistage festival,” he adds—“and, as they say, the rest is history.”
And while on that quest for the next musical phenom, don’t miss the annual MerleFest Band Competition, which allows you to hear previously unknown talents (and the next big thing) from across the country as they compete on the Plaza Stage on Saturday for the coveted spot of performing on the festival’s Hillside Stage on Sunday. That is, of course, if you’re not too tired out to catch the winners after staying up for the rollicking Saturday Night Jam or from the Dance Tent. (Push through—you won’t regret it!)Beyond all the great sets, the second-largest tourist draw to North Carolina is about so much more than the music. There’s shopping, a wide range of local fare, nature walk ops and documentary screenings. But, most importantly, it’s about the people—from the longtime volunteers to the fans who have never missed a festival to the first-time attendees. Jerry Douglas, master dobro player of Alison Krauss & Union Station and the Earls of Leicester, calls it a homecoming and a reunion for the musicians as well as their fans. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. One-day tickets from $80, multiday tickets from $205, merlefest.org
The Carolina Hurricanes Fan Fest music lineup is here and will include a variety of NC acts! A fab lineup of 12 North Carolina artists will play live across two stages in Downtown Raleigh from 11am-9pm (see below for full lineup and time slots).
“With two stages programmed for 10 hours, it shows how Raleigh is a music destination—in addition to sports, arts, theater, unique local businesses, experiences and more,” says Carolina Hurricanes Chief Marketing Officer Mike Forman. “Carolina Hurricanes Fan Fest presented by UNC Health is our way of showcasing a small glimpse of what North Carolina has to offer and the talent surrounding us.”
The portfolio will include the following:
SET TIME
DURATION
PERFORMER
City Plaza Stage
11:00 – 12:00
60 mins
DJ Mista Illz: the official DJ of the Carolina Hurricanes
12:00 – 1:00
60 mins
Adam Lee Decker
1:30 – 2:30
60 mins
Into the Fog
3:00 – 4:00
60 mins
Paige King Johnson
4:30 – 5:30
60 mins
Mellow Swells
6:00 – 7:00
60 mins
James Dunn with Jack the Radio
7:30 – 9:00
90 mins
Touabab Krewe
Invisalign Stage (State Capital)
11:00 – 11:45
45 mins
Opening Remarks/Ceremony + DJ
12:15 – 1:15
60 mins
Ashley La Rue Band
1:45 – 2:45
60 mins
Jason Adamo
3:15 – 4:15
60 mins
Mega Colossus
4:45 – 5:45
60 mins
Kooley High
6:15 – 7:15
60 mins
Rosali
7:45 – 9:00
60 mins
Superchunk
Visit our unique Day-by-Day Downloadable Guide for more on Fan Fest and all the events that compose the weeklong celebration surrounding the NHL Stadium Series in Raleigh. And stay tuned to our comprehensive Stadium Series landing page for updates and all you need to know.
Event details: Carolina Hurricanes Fan Fest presented by UNC Health Friday, February 17, 2023, a rain or shine event. 11am-9pm General Admission: Free to attend
WEB EXCLUSIVE Triangle-based band Into the Fog to take the stage at the annual IBMA World of Bluegrass festival after taking home the W at the MerleFest Band Competition.
After more than a year of having nearly nowhere to play, members of the Triangle-based genre-bending newgrass trio Into the Fog are finding themselves escaping into the light of potential stardom.
Gigs ranging from Cary’s Lazy Daze Arts and Craft Festival to Banjos and Beers at The Raleigh Times to MerleFest are filling up the band’s dance card as quickly as they can book them, says Brian Stephenson, who plays guitar and sings for the fledgling group he helped found three years ago (rounding out the trio are Winston Mitchell and Derek Lane, who are often helped out onstage by friends Will Maxwell, Jack Snyder, Connor Kozlosky and Matt Austin).
And, now, you can catch the spotlight-stealing band this Thursday at The Pour House Music Hall as part of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual World of Bluegrass conference and festival’s IBMA Ramble.
TheNews & Observer mentioned Into the Fog as one of 10 acts attendees shouldn’t miss during the celebration, which runs through Oct. 2 at Red Hat Amphitheatre, the Raleigh Convention Center and myriad other Downtown venues as part of the IBMA Ramble and Wide Open Bluegrass celebration on Fayetteville Street on Friday and Saturday.
But no matter where they’re playing, Into the Fog brings a unique blend of bluegrass and blues mixed with some outlaw country and funk to any stage they find themselves on.
“We were really just coming together as a band when we went out to the Telluride (Colorado) Bluegrass Festival in 2017 to compete in its annual band competition,” Stephenson explained after playing a set on the Hillside Stage at the recent 2021 MerleFest music festival in Wilkesboro. “We didn’t win the competition, unfortunately, and, then, well, you know, COVID.”
After the band’s pandemic-induced hiatus, the boys, who hail mainly from Wake Forest and around the Triangle, have reemerged as the most recent winners of the coveted MerleFest Band Competition.
Fifteen hot minutes on the tiny Plaza Stage on Saturday afternoon were all the band was given to compete against nine other talented acts. Into the Fog used every bit of its time to persuade judges they deserved that spot on the Hillside Stage on Sunday morning to kick off the last day of the four-day festival.
“I still can’t believe we won after hearing some of the competition,” said Stephenson, who wasn’t afraid to share his emotional response to winning with his bandmates and friends who gathered around him after the announcement. “I cried again when I called my mom.”
It appears Into the Fog is just getting started, or, restarted as it were. While not part of the IBMA festivities, the band is playing at The Pour House again Friday with The Wooks and Stillhouse Junkies. You’re going to want to keep an eye on Into the Fog’s rise to stardom—as they’re only going up from here.
