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Following 2022's fantastic event, it's been announced that Merlefest 2023 will take place the weekend of 27-30 April. Four days of authentic and wondrous country, Americana and Roots will be on show once again in memory of the late Eddy Merle Watson.
The 2023 instalment will mark a particularly special occasion, as it will celebrate the 100th heavenly birthday of MerleFest founder, Doc Watson, who set up the festival in honour of his late son in 1988. The line-up has now been announced, with Maren Morris, The Avett Brothers and Black Opry Revue all confirmed for the North Carolina festival.
Also performing will be a number of familiar faces for MerleFest fans, such as Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan, and more.
The event will return to its familiar grounds at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The venue, which lies at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, provides an iconic setting that helps to make MerleFest a staple of many country fans' calendars.
4-Day Reserved Seating, 4-Day General Admission, Single Day Tickets, Parking Passes and Late Night Jam Tickets are on sale here.
2022's festival welcomed such luminaries as Emmylou Harris, Allison Russell, Old Crow Medicine Show, Josh Turner, Natalie Hemby, Tenille Townes, The Wood Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Trampled By Turtles, of which Holler and so many others got to enjoy!
Originally hosted by folk music legend and Grammy Award-winner Doc Watson until his passing in 2012, Merlefest was named after Doc's late son, Eddie Merle Watson, who died in a tragic tractor accident.
The full line-up so far is as follows:
The Avett Brothers
Maren Morris
Black Opry Revue
Sam Bush
Jerry Douglas
Peter Rowan
Andy May
Banknotes
Carol Rifkin
Charles Welch
Donna the Buffalo
Jack Lawrence
Jeff Little Trio
Jim Lauderdale
Joe Smothers
Kruger Brothers
Laura Boosinger
The Local Boys
Mark Bumgarner
Mitch Greenhill & Mitch's Kitchen
Pete & Joan Wernick
Presley Barker
Roy Book Binder
Scythian
T. Michael Coleman
The InterACTive Theater of Jef
The Waybacks
Tony Williamson
Wayne Henderson
Little Feat
Marcus King
Tanya Tucker
Miko Marks
AJ Lee & Blue Summit
Alison Brown
Andy Cohen
Anna Lynch
Bee Taylor
Brothers Comatose
Chris Jones & The Night Drivers
Cole Chaney
Compton & Newberry
Dom Flemons
I Draw Slow
Lightnin’ Wells
The Local Honeys
Nigel Wearne
Stillhouse Junkies
Taylor Rae
Terry Baucom’s Dukes of Drive
Todd Albright
Tommy Prine
Yasmin Williams
The Youngers
Merlefest is always an absolute cert in Holler's calendar, and we can't wait to return in 2023!
For more information on tickets and for other country festivals set for 2023 - head here.
For more on Merlefest 2023, see below: