The Music of MerleFest is “traditional-plus” and Doc Watson himself describes it best: “When Merle and I started out we called our music ‘traditional-plus,’ meaning the traditional music of the Appalachian region plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play. Since the beginning, the people of the college and I have agreed that the music of MerleFest is ‘traditional-plus’.”
Headliners
Festival lineup
- Alberti Flea Circus
- Alison Brown Quartet
- Andy May
- Bill Mathis
- Buffalo Barfield
- Buffalo Barfield
- Cadillac Sky
- Casey Driessen
- Catfish Keith
- Corb Lund
- Corey Harris and Phil Wiggins
- Crooked Still
- David Holt
- Del McCoury Band
- Doc Watson
- Donna The Buffalo
- Emmitt-Nershi Band
- George Hamilton IV
- Harper
- Jack Lawrence
- Jim Lauderdale
- Lost Bayou Ramblers
- Lyle Lovett
- Pete and Joan Wernick
- Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band
- Richard Watson
- Sam Bush Band
- Scythian
- Sonny Landreth
- Susana and Timmy Abell
- The Doobie Brothers
- The Kruger Brothers
- The Local Boys
- The Sigmon Stringers
- The Wailin' Jennys
- The Waybacks
- Tim O'Brien
- Zephyr Lightning Bolts
Previous Years
Festival News and Rumors

Dethklok and Run the Jewels Top the Bill for 2022 Adult Swim Festival Block Party
The three-day fest will be staged across multiple venues August 5th-7th in Philadelphia.
Spencer Kaufman May 18, 2022

Music Midtown 2022: Jack White, MCR, Fall Out Boy, and More to Play Atlanta Fest
Alex Young May 17, 2022

Chemical Brothers, M.I.A., Flume, Jamie xx to Play Inaugural Portola Music Festival in San Francisco
Alex Young May 16, 2022

Reunited Sunny Day Real Estate Added to Furnace Fest Lineup
The emo pioneers are making their first live appearances since 2010.
Jon Hadusek May 12, 2022

Riot Fest 2022 Lineup: MCR, Misfits, Nine Inch Nails, Bauhaus, Sunny Day Real Estate & More
Carys Anderson May 11, 2022