On Feb. 25, Old Settler’s Music Festival staff and board members cut the ribbon on the festival’s new home in Tilmon, Texas, and today, they’re unveiling the full schedule for the 31st annual celebration of authentic roots music, taking place April 19 through 22.
The four-day lineup offers 30 of the finest roots/Americana music-makers on today’s scene, from bluegrass and blues to folk and funk, Latino rock to red-dirt country, solo singer-songwriters to rare combos such as I’m With Her — the trio of songbirds Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan — and the Grateful Ball, featuring the Travelin’ McCourys and the Jeff Austin Band. It all takes place in the heart of wildflower season on 145 acres of beautiful Texas country 12 miles southeast of Lockhart. (Program GPSs for 1616 FM 3158, Dale, Texas 78716.)
Ticket options ranging from platinum camping packages to single-day wristbands are available at advance prices through April 4, when they climb to full price. To purchase, go to oldsettlersmusicfest.org.
“Moving to our Tilmon site gives us the opportunity to design every detail with one goal in mind: creating the best experience for fans, performers and the community, while preserving the festival’s laid-back charm,” says festival executive director Jean Spivey. “We’re proud of our history as Central Texas’ only spring roots-music and camping festival, and look forward to adding many more chapters to our story as we enter our new era.”
Drivers without GPS systems can find directions here or by going to oldsettlersmusicfest.org and clicking “Getting Here.” Or leave the driving to someone else; this year, Old Settler’s is offering motorcoach shuttle service from Austin, San Antonio and Houston. Shuttling helps to lower the festival’s carbon footprint while easing traffic for Caldwell County residents and fellow festivalgoers. For more information and shuttle tickets, go to festdrive.busbank.com/old-settlers-express-shuttle.
No matter how attendees arrive or how long they stay, Old Settler’s offers the kind of experience that draws loyal fans back year after year. And as their families grow, so does ours. This year, we’re making it even easier for new generations to attend with a discount package price tier for teens, in addition to admitting children 12 and under free when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.
From its origins as a one-day bluegrass festival, Old Settler’s has become a nationally renowned four-day affair attracting 16,000 roots music-lovers annually. As No Depression observed, “Old Settler’s is what a festival should be: simple, properly sized, stocked with excellent bands, and held in an environment where it is nearly impossible not to enjoy yourself.”
2018 OLD SETTLER’S MUSIC FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
THURSDAY, APRIL 19
Campground Stage
4-5:15 p.m. – The Deer
5:35-6:50 p.m. – Travelin’ McCourys
7:10-8:35 p.m. – Donna the Buffalo
8:55-10:05 p.m. – We Banjo 3
10:30 p.m.-midnight – The Grateful Ball
Camp Shhhtimes
1 a.m. – The Stacks
2 a.m. – The Deer
3 a.m. – Ley Line
FRIDAY, APRIL 20
Original Black’s BBQ Stage
4-4:45 p.m. – Frankie Leonie
5:15-6:30 p.m. – Donna the Buffalo
7-8:15 p.m. – Jamestown Revival
8:45-10 p.m. – Calexico
10:30 p.m.-midnight – Greensky Bluegrass
Bluebonnet Stage
4-5:15 p.m. – Front Country
5:25-6:50 p.m. – We Banjo 3
7:20-8:30 p.m. – Jeff Austin Band
9-10:15 p.m. – Billy Strings
10:45 p.m.-midnight – Tomar & the FCs
Camp Shhhtimes
1 a.m. – Billy Strings
2 a.m. – 3% Milk
3 a.m. – Possessed by Paul James
SATURDAY, APRIL 21
Original Black’s BBQ Stage
11-11:45 a.m. – Jon Stickley Trio
Noon-1 p.m. – Steve Poltz
1:20-2:20 p.m. – The Peterson Brothers
2:40-3:40 p.m. – Colter Wall
4-5:10 p.m. – Sean McConnell
5:30-6:40 p.m. – The California Honeydrops
7:10-8:20 p.m. – JD McPherson
8:40-9:55 p.m. – I’m With Her
10:30 p.m.-midnight – Railroad Earth
Bluebonnet Stage
10:30 a.m.-1:10 p.m. – Youth Talent Competition
1:30 -2:30 p.m. – Billy Strings
2:40-3 p.m. – Youth Competition winner
3:20-4:20 p.m. – Darlingside
4:40-5:50 p.m. – The War and Treaty
6:10-7:20 p.m. – Balsam Range
7:40-8:40 p.m. – Will Hoge
9:10-10:20 p.m. – Wade Bowen
10:45 p.m.-midnight – Bob Schneider
Camp Shhhtimes
1 a.m. – Steve Poltz
2 a.m. – Mother Falcon
3 a.m. – Jon Stickley Trio
SUNDAY, APRIL 22
Campground Stage
11-11:50 a.m. – Balsam Range
12:10-1:10 p.m. – The Cleverlys
1:40-2:45 p.m. – Galeano
3-4 p.m. – Steve Poltz
4:20-5:30 p.m. – Ray Wylie Hubbard
