Music is one of the many love languages of Boone and the High Country. The area is home to many bluegrass musicians and Appalachian storytellers, including late Grammy Award-winning bluegrass guitar player Doc Watson and the late guitarist Michael Houser, a founding member and lead guitarist for Widespread Panic, as well as Old Crow Medicine Show, The Blue Rags, and Eric Church.
With talent like this, it’s no surprise that Boone and the High Country is the idyllic place for beautiful scenery, fresh mountain air, and awesome music. So put on your dancing shoes and plan your melodious mountain journey with our guide to the 2024 music festival and concert lineup.
Pro tip: many of these concerts and festivals sell out quickly so secure your tickets as soon as they are available and book your stay at Graystone Lodge.
MARCH
Friday, March 1 at 7:30pm: Ashley McBryde with special guest Will Jones at the Schaefer Center
Standard – $43/each* Faculty/Staff – $38/each* Student/Children – $20/each*
GRAMMY Award winner Ashley McBryde has made a name for herself with her standout, critically acclaimed albums, all of which found the Arkansas native straddling lines between traditional country, rock-tinged roots and point-blank biker-bar riffs, leading American Songwriter to boast her music balances gutsy rocking with classic country, folk and even slight bluegrass influences. With The Devil I Know Tour, the Grand Ole Opry member honed in and sharpened what it is she does best.
Sunday, March 3 at 7:30pm: Sam Bush with special guest Liam Purcell at Appalachian Theatre
Regular Adult – $35/each* Day of Show – $42/each* Student – $15/each*
All Ages (children under 17 admitted with parent/legal guardian)
An American mandolinist who is considered an originator of progressive bluegrass music. In 2020, he was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame as a member of New Grass Revival. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame a second time in 2023 as a solo artist.
APRIL
Friday, April 19 – Sunday, April 21: Appalachian State GuitarFest at Hayes School of Music
An annual international guitar competition and concert series with guest artists, competitions, seminars, master classes and performances from faculty and world-class guest musicians from around the world.
Friday, April 12 at 7:30pm: Indigo Girls with special guest Annie Humphrey at the Schaefer Center
Standard – $43/each* Faculty/Staff – $38/each* Student/Children – $20/each*
Released in 1989, Indigo Girls’ eponymous major label debut sold over two million copies under the power of singles “Closer to Fine” and “Kid Fears” and turned Indigo Girls into one of the most successful folk duos in history. Over a 35-year career that began in clubs around their native Atlanta, Georgia, the multi-Grammy-winning duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray has recorded 16 studio albums, sold over 15 million records, and built a dedicated, enduring following across the globe. Rolling Stone describes them as the “ideal duet partners.”
Thursday, April 25 – Sunday, April 28: MerleFest at Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro, NC
Many different ticket options
Known as one of the premier music festivals in the country, MerleFest is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans. The festival includes a variety of artists on its 13 stages, including “traditional plus” music – a unique blend of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, as well as old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk, gospel, blues, classic rock, and more.
Photo Credit: Merlefest
MAY
Friday, May 10 at 7:30pm: Adam Church with Pressley Layton Band at Appalachian Theatre
Adult – $20* Student/Children – $15*
JUNE – JULY
Friday, June 14 – Saturday, June 15: Boonerang in Downtown Boone
A free music and arts festival with several concert stages featuring artists with Boone connections. Enjoy local food and beer, a vendor market, a kids’ zone, silent discos and after parties.
Photo Credit: Boonerang
Saturday, June 29 – Saturday, July 27: Appalachian Summer Festival at Kidd Brewer Stadium
Celebrating its 40th Anniversary, the Appalachian Summer Festival presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts & Cultural Programs, is an annual celebration of the performing and visual arts. It features an eclectic, diverse mix of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and film programming.
If you’re a country music fan, embrace yourself because Brad Paisley is this year’s headliner on July 27; tickets on sale March 6.
Photo Credit: Appalachian State Athletics
There it is folks – an entire lineup of serious music fun. As if you needed an excuse to visit the mountains and enjoy some live tunes? Make 2024 count!