The Kerrville Folk Festival returns for an unprecedented 51st year.
Once again The Quiet Valley Ranch outside of Kerrville, Texas will be turned into a music lover’s utopia for 18 days this spring. Beginning on Thursday May 25th and running through June 11th, this year’s festival promises to be one to be remembered.
A lineup of over 100 artists will perform during the festival on different stages and settings. Headliners include, Anais Mitchell, Mary Gauthier, Squirrel Nut Zippers, The Brother Brothers, Good Looks, John Fullbright, Darrell Scott, The Milk Carton Kids and many many more (see full lineup here). Attendees can choose from many different ticket options ranging from the full 18 days with camping to single day and weekend passes.
Another huge attraction at the festival is the Grassy Hill New Folk Competition. Held every year on the first weekend of the Festival the competition highlights some of the country’s brightest emerging songwriters. It’s not only the winners of the competition (though that list is astonishing) but any one of the finalists that perform who may become a breakout star in the folk world.
The New Folk competition has been a huge part of the festival for decades and has helped launched the careers of musical greats such as Anais Mitchell, Robert Earl Keen and Lyle Lovett. The finalists will all perform during the first weekend of the festival (May 27th and 28th) with the winners returning on June 3rd for an extended performance. This year’s judges are Crystal Hariu-Damore (Ordinary Elephant), Lilli Lewis, Pat Byrne, Crow Johnson Evans, David Moss (Brother Brothers). All of these acts will also perform at the festival this year.
Ask anyone that has attended the festival in the past and they will tell you that it is hands down an experience you will never forget. The music and festival is not limited to what is presented on the stages either. All over the campground you will find song circles around campfires, many of these groups have been mainstays at the festival for decades. It is commonplace to hear some of the best established and unknown songwriters who will blow you away around these circles.
Learn more about the festival at http://www.KerrvilleFolkFestival.org
Ticket info can be found here: https://kerrvillefolkfestival.ticketspice.com/kerrville-folk-festival-2023-tickets
Enjoy review of last year’s festival here: Show Review: Kerrville Folk 2022