8 Must-Attend Americana Music Festivals in the Southeast: Fall 2024

Y’all ready for some toe-tappin’, heart-stirrin’ Americana music? Gather up your favorite festival-going necessities because the Southeastern United States is heading into fall ready to celebrate with a host of outdoor music festivals that you’d be unlucky to miss. From September to November, the region will be alive with the sounds of banjos, fiddles, and soulful voices. Did you know that Americana music festivals contribute over $1 billion annually to the US economy? That’s right, folks – these events aren’t just good for the soul, they’re great for local communities, too! So grab your boots, dust off your dancing shoes, and let’s dive into the 8 best Americana music festivals you absolutely can’t miss this year!

1. Rhythm & Roots Reunion – Bristol, TN/VA

With country music legends like the Carter Family and Jimmie Rogers making recordings during The Bristol Sessions in the 1920s, the city became known as the “Birthplace of Country Music.” The Rhythm & Roots Festival was established in 2001 to pay homage to that legacy, with its kick-off event featuring Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson, Del McCoury, and a host of other artists representing the best of Appalachian roots, bluegrass, country, and indie music. 

The 3-day Americana music festival features 1 indoor and 3 outdoor main stages, along with a dozen smaller ones. The location also offers all the amenities Bristol can offer from local restaurants to local shopping. Featured artists for 2024 include Ashley McBryde, The Wallflowers, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Ed Snodderly, The Red Clay Strays, Sam Bush, The SteelDrivers, Logan Ledger, Tommy Prine, The Resonant Rogues, and The Waybacks.

2. AmericanaFest – Nashville, TN

Since 2000, AmericanaFest has grown into an enormous multi-venue event hosted by the Americana Music Association. Slated for September 17-21, it epitomizes what Americana music festivals are all about with its exciting Americana Music Awards ceremony held at the history Ryman Theater to honor the best artists in the genre.

AmericanaFest functions like a conference by day with panel sessions hosted by music industry execs and music artists, an exhibit hall, luncheons, networking events, book signings, and film screenings. The evenings come alive with countless music showcases in approximately 54 different venues like Mercy Lounge, The Rutledge, The Station Inn, Hard Rock Cafe, and The Basement. Over 200 artists will perform across the 4-day event, including headliners like Cassandra Lewis, Clay Street Unit, John Oates Acoustic Band, Jontavious Willis, Judy Blank, Kade Hoffman, The Kody Norris Show, and The Langan Band.

3. Bourbon & Beyond – Louisville, KY

Slated for the third weekend in September, Bourbon & Beyond is a 6-year-old festival that attracts 120,000 attendees to the Highland Festival Grounds in Louisville, Kentucky for an immersive experience celebrating rock and Americana music, culinary creations, and bourbon culture.  Festival-goers can look forward to daily workshops and demonstrations featuring renowned chefs and master distillers, showcasing Kentucky’s best bourbon offerings. Some of the attractions include the Kroger Big Bourbon Bar, Chris Picks MiniBar, and The Hunter’s Club providing a diverse range of tasting experiences.

Five stages will become stomping grounds for live music covering multiple genres. This year’s headliners are particularly impressive–legendary artists such as Sting, Dave Matthews Band, and Beck, alongside contemporary favorites like Maren Morris and Black Pumas. Rock fans can groove to the sounds of Matchbox Twenty and The Wallflowers, while Americana lovers will soak up the sounds of Fleet Foxes, Lyle Lovett, and Chris Isaak. With additional performances by Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Head and The Heart, and Melissa Etheridge, Bourbon & Beyond offers a diverse musical landscape that complements its celebration of Kentucky’s bourbon heritage.

4. Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival – Franklin, TN

The Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary on September 28-29, 2024 in Franklin, Tennessee. Located at The Park at Harlinsdale, a 230-acre farm that once housed horses, this Americana music festival was created by Franklin musician/resident Kevin Griffin with a vision inspired by the New Orleans Jazz Fest. While that genre can be enjoyed at the Pilgrimage Music Festival, other genres feature heavily in the lineup including rock, alt-country, bluegrass, jazz, indie, and gospel. Visitors can expect to enjoy both established favorites and discover new talents across multiple stages.

Highlights of this year’s festival include headlining acts such as Dave Matthews Band, Hozier, Lukas Nelson, Allison Russell, Lamont Landers, The Band of Heathens, Celisse, and People on the Porch. The event goes beyond just music, featuring hundreds of local artisans, food vendors, and makers who contribute to the overall experience. Families are encouraged to attend, with a dedicated Franklin Fun Farm area for children. The festival also emphasizes cultural education through its Americana Music Triangle exhibit that focuses on the South’s rich musical heritage.

5. Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance – Pittsboro, NC

Pittsboro, a small town west of Raleigh, North Carolina, is the setting for a 20-year-old roots music event that celebrates the best of Americana music and dance. It’s hosted by the Shakori Hills Arts Center, an association that hosts a number of events throughout the year including the Hoppin’ John Fiddler’s Convention and Hispanic Heritage Fiesta. Their GrassRoots Festival features a colorful line-up as well as workshops that take place in multiple locations: the Meadow Stage, the Dance Tent, Carson’s Grove, and the Cabaret Tent.

This year’s workshops cover a host of interesting subjects such as “Musing on a Melody,” “Maqaming the Blues,” “Intro to Rhythm of Brazilian Music,” and “Foundation of Reggae Guitar.” Other interactive activities include a songwriter’s circle, live music yoga, morning communion, music instrument competitions, and dance workshops covering square dancing, Zydeco, clogging, and more. Among the many headliners for this hidden gem will be Donna the Buffalo, The Wood Brothers, Cortadito, Lee Fields, Driftwood, Kaleta & Super Yamba Band, and Missy Raines & Allegheny. This amazing Americana music festival definitely hits the mark as a “must-see.”

6. Field & Stream Music Fest – Winsboro, South Carolina

If you’re in the mood for rip-roarin’ country-style Americana and looking to hit up South Carolina, the event top all others in the fall of 2024 is the Field & Stream Music Fest, scheduled from October 4-6 at Carolina Adventure World in Winsboro. As reported by Rolling Stone Magazine, Eric Church and Morgan Wallen purchased the long-running festival earlier in 2024. This amazing event is not only a live-music extravaganza, but also an outdoor expo, allowing attendees to take part in activities like hiking, shooting, fishing, mountain biking, rafting, and off-roading adventure, and more.

Over 30 of country music’s hottest stars will perform over the weekend, with acts like Lynard Skynard, Riley Green, Lainey Wilson, Eric Church, and the beard-sportin’ ZZ Top taking the Main Stage. Meanwhile, the Silencer Central Stage, the Southern String Showdown, and Music Village Stages will feature seasoned and up-and-coming Americana artists ready to put on the shows of their lives. You can also top off your evening with a special Arrowhead Tavern After Party (good luck squeezing into that one!).

7. Suwannee Roots Revival – Live Oak, FL

The Suwannee Roots Revival is one of multiple annual Americana music festivals that take place at the 800-acre Spirit of Suwannee Music Park along the banks of the Suwannee River. This amazing Florida locale features concert venues, camping areas, and untouched forests. Performances and workshops will take place at the Amphitheater, the Music Hall, the Porch Stage, the Music Farmer’s State, and the Dance Stage Tent.

Set to run from October 10-13, spectators can expect to hear a crowd-pleasing line-up that includes Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway, Old Crow Medicine Show, Yonder Mountain String Band, Grateful Dawg, Della Mae, The Ain’t Sisters, and a host of other acts. Plus, this very family-friendly festival includes a Kid’s Tent that hosts daily activities like arts and crafts, juggling, yoga, family musical instrument instruction, and more.

8. CaveFest – Pelham, Tennessee

Want to experience the best that folk, bluegrass, Americana, and Old Time music has to offer, all in the comfort of a cool cave? The Caverns, housed at the base of Monteagle Mountain in Pelham, Tennessee, has become one of the trendiest venues to play in the United States and is featured in the television show “Bluegrass Underground,” now rebranded as “The Cavern’s Sessions” to account for the fact it covers more than just bluegrass. If you’ve been longing to experience these below-ground music soirees, you’ll have the chance during CaveFest, taking place from October 11-13, 2024.

The musical line-up is amazing – all the bluegrass and Americana music legends you’d expect will take to the stage like The Travelin’ McCourys, Yonder Mountain Stringband, Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Jim Lauderdale & the Gamechangers, and so many more. Other features of the event include camping, glamping, cave yoga and tours, a sound bath. While the televised shows take place in Big Mouth Cave, which accommodates 850 seated spectators or up to 1,200 standing-room-only, the above ground Caverns Amphitheater can hold crowds of 6,000. Get out your best spelunking gear and get ready to attend this amazing Americana music festival this fall!

Conclusion

There you have it, folks – a musical journey through the heart and soul of the Southeast! From the hallowed grounds of Bristol to the mountain peaks of North Carolina, these 8 Americana music festivals in 2024 promise unforgettable experiences, American-made tunes, and a heapin’ helpin’ of Southern hospitality. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just dipping your toes into the Americana scene, these festivals offer something for everyone. So mark your calendars, round up your friends, and get ready to make some memories that’ll last a lifetime. After all, there’s nothin’ quite like the magic of live music under a starry Southern sky. See y’all at the festivals!