MerleFest Announces 2025 Artist Lineup and Late-Night Jam Details

MerleFest has outlined the initial artist lineup for its April 24-27, 2025, return to the Wilkes Community College campus in Wilkesboro, N.C. Leading the bill are North Carolina natives, folk/rock symbols The Avett Brothers, and Appalachian-located duo group Watchhouse; in addition, beloved singer and songwriter Bonnie Raitt and Great White North folk/bluegrass troupe The Dead South also top the list.

Setting course on Thursday, April 24, MerleFest, which honors the enduring legacy of music’s most significant contributors, Doc Watson, will present first-day entertainment from lineup leaders, The Dead South, as well as Wyatt Flores, The Steeldrivers, Brent Cobb, Donna The Buffalo, Roy Book Bender, Woody Platt and the Bluegrass Gentlemen.

Friday will see the arrival of festival arrival Raitt and fellow contributors The War and Treaty, Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam, Peter Rowan, Scythian, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, Big Richard, The Way Back, East Nash Grass, and repeat players Donna The Buffalo and Woody Platt and the Bluegrass Gentlemen.

Saturday marks the arrival of The Avett Brothers, who, along with Sam Bush, Asleep at the Wheel, Della Mae, Allison Brown, Tophouse, John R. Miller, John Mceuen and the Circle Band and The Waybacks entertain the masses. Sunday serves as MerleFest’s final day for music, with Watchouse, The Little Smokies, and Rowan signed up to perform. In addition to daily lineups, MerleFest announced Sam Bush and Friends residency as the 2025 Late Night Jam host. 

Tickets are on sale now. Learn more by visiting merlefest.org.

Current Lineup:The Avett Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, The Dead South, Watchhouse, Wyatt Flores, The War And Treaty, The SteelDrivers, Sam Bush, Asleep at the Wheel, The Lil Smokies, Brent Cobb, Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam, Alison Brown, Della Mae, Peter Rowan, Scythian, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, TopHouse, Big Richard, John R. Miller, Woody Platt and the Bluegrass Gentlemen, John McEuen & The Circle Band, The Waybacks, Andy May, Banknotes, The Barefoot Movement, Carol Mallett Rifkin, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Chao Tian From China to Appalachia, Charles Welch, Damn Tall Buildings, East Nash Grass, The InterACTive Theater of Jef, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Joe Smothers, Josh Goforth, Laura Boosinger, The Local Boys, Mark Bumgarner, Mattie Schell, Mitch Greenhill & Mitch’s Kitchen, Muireann Bradley, Paul McDonald, Pete & Joan Wernick, Presley Barker, Rev. Robert Jones, Roy Booker Binder, T. Michael Coleman, Todd Albright, Tony Williamson, Wayne Henderson, with additional artists to be announced in the coming weeks. For artist performance dates, visit merlefest.org/lineup.