Railbird Festival 2023 Preview: 10 Acts to See

Is there a better way to kick off the summer than with a weekend of world class music and bourbon? We think not. And luckily for all us alt-country lovers, Railbird Festival is coming in fast to offer just that.

Taking place for the first time at The Infield at Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky, Railbird is returning back from a hiatus in 2022 and is promising to be better than ever. Boasting Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers as its headliners, an array of must-see acts (including a few more-than-welcome indie rock wildcards) will also be taking to the festival's three stages across Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June. It's no surprise that the tickets sold out in a flash.

There's something for everyone on offer, but here's our pick of 10 Holler-favourite acts to see at Railbird Festival 2023.

One of modern country and Americana's most prolific artists, Charley Crockett has been unstoppable in 2023, and Railbird marks yet another date on his year-long international tour. Leading the nominations for this year's Americana Honors & Awards, the Texan crooner is set to charm the eager crowds with his retro-reminiscent sound and effortlessly slick set, backed by his band The Blue Drifters. - Elkhorn Stage, 4:15pm Saturday

The winner of the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album, Molly Tuttle is one of the genre's modern pioneers thanks to her incredibly intricate songwriting and virtuosic instrumentalism. Her sets are lively and jam-packed with songs from the acclaimed album, 2022's Crooked Tree, but will hopefully also see her delve into some of the new tracks that will feature on her forthcoming July 2023 album, City of God. - The Burl Stage, 6pm Sunday

Like a good beer buzz early in the mornin'? Sheryl's the gal for you. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee who has sold over 50 million records worldwide, it goes without saying that her performance at Railbird will truly be an unmissable experience. - Limestone Stage, 5:15pm Saturday

Charles Wesley Godwin's music has a special quality of being appealing to fans across the genre spectrum. His rugged Americana and cosmic country tendencies are just as prevalent in is music as his "bro" relatability - particularly as a new signee to Big Loud Records. Currently gearing up to release his third full-length album following a string of cover releases, we think the West Virginia native's set at Railbird will bring something for everyone. The Burl Stage, 7:30pm Sunday

Neal Francis' kaleidoscopic funk/blues/soul/rock sound will provide the perfect start to the weekend's music. BBC Radio 6's Charles Craig calls him "the reincarnation of Allen Touissant", which makes sense when you indulge in his latest record, In Plain Sight. Join us in getting lost in his psychedelic tunes under the afternoon sun. - Limestone Stage, 1:45pm Saturday

This Texas hailing southern country rock group have been blazin' a smoking trail over the last year. Their critically acclaimed 2022 record Tornillo has a modern outlaw favourite, and just like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Blackberry Smoke, Whiskey Myers keep the rugged, red-clay rock at the heart of their sound. - Elkhorn Stage, 6:15pm Saturday

Of the aforementioned indie rock wildcards, Weezer are the leaders of the pack. Masters of the early-noughties smash hit - think 'Buddy Holly', 'Say It Ain't So', 'Undone - The Sweater Song' and 'Hash Pipe' to name but a few - we've made it of utmost importance to ensure we're doing nothing other than moshing and screaming along to Weezer's set when they take to the stage. You'd be wise to do the same. - Elkhorn Stage, 8:15pm Saturday

If you didn't already know, we're huge fans of Sierra Ferrell here at Holler. Her retro country, which incorporates elements of gypsy jazz, bluegrass and calypso, is becoming a firm favourite across both the States and Europe, and if her recent sets are anything to go by, we can likely hope we're in for a not just a set of brilliant music, but also incredible costumes and choreography, too. - Elkhorn Stage, 2pm Sunday

Valerie June is a mystical and spiritual force in artist form. With a sound encompassing a mixture of folk, blues, gospel, soul, country, Appalachian and bluegrass, her unique voice weaves around poetic lyrics (she's also a published poet and writer) in a truly hypnotic way. - Burl Stage, 6:30pm Saturday

Psychedelic, bluesy and UK-hailing, The Heavy Heavy are packaging up their sun-soaked 60s sound and bringing it straight to the heart of Lexington. While they've yet to release their debut album, their hypnotic harmonies, bulletproof hooks and wildly satisfying tunes are guiding them to becoming one of the nation's favourite rock and roll bands. - Burl Stage, 4pm Saturday