Lineup announced for Raleigh’s new music festival in 2025. Who’s playing?

The World of Bluegrass may not be returning to Raleigh this year, but a new festival is set to bring the same blend of Americana, gospel and more to the city’s music scene.

After the International Bluegrass Music Association moved their event out of Raleigh after more than a decade, local groups have been gearing up to launch the new Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival.

PineCone, the local nonprofit that produced the previous bluegrass festival for its entire 12-year run, is teaming up with PNC to bring together dozens of artists across multiple genres to hit the stage downtown.

Wide Open lineup

Here’s a look at the artist lineup for the two-day festival set for Friday, Oct. 3 and Saturday, Oct 4:

• A Nest of Singing Birds

• Balsam Range

• Big Fat Gap

• Blue Cactus

• Cabin Creature

• Carolina Bluegrass

• Charly Lowry

• Chris Johnson & Freedom

• Dom Flemons

• Earl White String Band

• Eliza Meyer & the New Carolina Tar Heels

• Gospel Jubilators

• The Gravy Boys

• Hank, Pattie and the Current

• Holler Choir

• Jalessa Cade

• Jason Carter

• Jim Lauderdale

• Joseph Decosimo

• Kingdom United Voices

• Legacy Chorale

• The Loblollies

• Nixon, Blevins, Williams

• Omar Ruiz-Lopez

• Palmyra

• Shinyribs

• Slippery Hill Bluegrass

• Sonny Miles

• Stillhouse Junkies

• Sunny War

• Susto Stringband

• Town Mountain

• Tray Wellington Band

• Unspoken Tradition

• Williamson Brothers

“This is a lineup that both expands our sound and honors tradition. There are, of course, plenty of bluegrass favorites, but also authentic gospel music from North Carolina’s Black Church tradition, unaccompanied ballad singers from the mountains, and even a roadhouse-style dance band,” David Brower, executive director of PineCone, said in a release.

“This is a time for the community to come together and celebrate with songs and authentic voices rooted in community. We can’t wait.”

Red Hat Amphitheater shows

This year’s festival will also include separately ticketed shows at Red Hat Amphitheater during evenings. The artist lineup, including a mix of “returning favorites and exciting newcomers,” will be announced later this summer, a PineCone press release says.

New Raleigh music festival

Like festivals in years past, Raleigh Wide Open will feature performances on multiple stages along with craft and maker markets, beer gardens, food trucks and art vendors.

“The return of Raleigh Wide Open is a welcome reminder of what makes this city shine. It’s more than a music festival. It’s a statement about Raleigh’s growth, creativity, and the strong partnerships that fuel our cultural identity,” Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell said in a statement.

You can find more information and updates online at raleighwideopen.com.

This story was originally published May 27, 2025 at 3:02 PM with the headline "Lineup announced for Raleigh’s new music festival in 2025. Who’s playing?."

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription