Indie folk band The Head and the Heart and soul octet St. Paul & The Broken Bones will headline the 2020 Old Settler’s Music Festival. Friday night will also feature country music icon Tanya Tucker ahead of St. Paul & The Broken Bones. Tucker’s latest album, While I’m Living, received four Grammy nominations last month and was produced by last year’s Old Settler’s headliner, Brandi Carlile, and Shooter Jennings. A partial lineup by day is included below.
Central Texas’s only spring festival offering bluegrass, folk, and Americana performers on four stages over four days, Old Settler’s Music Festival has unveiled much of its 2020 lineup slated for Thursday-Sunday, April 16-19 in Tilmon, TX, less than an hour from Austin and San Antonio and two hours from Houston. A limited amount of discounted Early Bird tickets are still available now via https://oldsettlersmusicfest.org.
2020 marks the festival’s third year in Tilmon, the fourth home of the 33-year-old festival. Ranked in the top 5 by USA Today’s “10 Best Music Festivals in North America,” Old Settler’s has spent decades cultivating a vibe and experience that sets it apart from its festival contemporaries. “Old Settler’s Music Festival isn’t your typical music festival,” said country music site The Boot last year. “The festival’s laid-back, chill vibe draws three generations to its spacious, 145-acre site of rolling meadows and shady areas.”
Other artists announced today as part of the 2020 lineup include Southern soul-rock band J.J. Grey & Mofro, Father of Newgrass Sam Bush, UK indie pop darling Jade Bird, recently Grammy-nominated traditional bluegrass band Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, festival favorites Shinyribs, and Grammy-winning, bluegrass mainstays The Travelin’ McCourys. A list of artists is below and more will be announced soon.
With a reputation as the ultimate music-lovers’ festival, Old Settler’s Music Festival has traditionally been a discovery ground for the future of Americana and roots music. Past performers who appeared early in their careers included Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, who returned last year to headline; Alison Krauss; Billy Strings; Trampled by Turtles; and Patty Griffin, who also returned in 2010 to headline.
This year, in line with the non-profit festival’s mission to honor and sustain Texas’s musical roots, The House of Songs will hold a songwriters’ camp the week prior to the Festival, giving songwriters from around the globe an opportunity to partner with Texas artists. The participants will showcase their collaborations on the final day of the festival. The Festival’s Youth Talent Competition returns for its 18th year; in 2002, Sarah Jarosz, now a multiple Grammy-winning artist, won the inaugural competition. Entries are open now here. For more information on both, visit the festival’s site.
With a diverse group of activities for all festival-goers, Old Settler’s Music Festival offers camping, including glamping packages (details to be announced soon), an unplugged late night show, a juried arts and crafts fair, a wide selection of gourmet food and craft beer, and many kid-friendly activities.
