Indie/’90s Country Megafestival “Two Step Inn” Returns for 2024
The Two Step Inn in Georgetown, TX (just north of Austin) became one of numerous new country music megafestivals launched in 2023 that was tailored to a decidedly more independent and traditional country crowd. Along with headliners Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers, you had an injection of resurgent ’90s country stars like Tanya Tucker and Wynonna Judd as well. The mix was right with people looking for an alternative to the mainstream, and the fest sold out almost immediately.
Promoted by Austin-based C3 Presents that’s owned in part by Live Nation, Two Step Inn also symbolized the entry of live music’s biggest corporation into the independent country space.
After 2023 sold out, you knew Two Step Inn would be returning for 2024. Returning it is, and with just as mouthwatering of a lineup as it had in 2023, but sans as many of the hip-hop wild cards that made the inaugural lineup a bit of a curiosity.
Cody Johnson is set to headline Saturday, April 20th, with the Turnpike Troubadours and Hank Williams Jr. co-headlining on Sunday, April 21st. Other top names for 2024 include Colter Wall, Sierra Ferrell, Clint Black, Charley Crockett, Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack, and Ryan Bingham.
Two Step Inn also includes a lot of up-and-coming artists such as Zach Top, The Castellows, Jake Worthington, and J.R. Carroll. You also have surging artists from the independent side of country such as Wyatt Flores and 49 Winchester, along with some of the better selections from the mainstream such as Ernest and Drake Milligan.
The first year’s lineup also had names like T-Pain, Blanco Brown, and a misogynistic and objectifying performance from thrice-accused alleged sexual assaulter Diplo with dancers on stripper poles. Luckily this year, the only out-of-genre name on the lineup aside from some DJs is Ludacris, who sticks out like a sore thumb, but the white boot brigade will surely being in attendance for, throwing their hands up in the air like they just don’t care.
The only other major wild card in the lineup will be Pat Green. Organizers should start planning now for Pat to barely be sober enough to complete his set. At this point, it’s a roll of the dice with Green, and you’re probably smart to put him on earlier in the day.
There are plenty of independent festivals that independent fans can put their money behind to help support the farm system of artists that Live Nation mostly ignored until their was money to be made from them. But alternatively, it’s shows the growth in this music that C3/Live Nation is stepping up to the plate now.
The Two Step Inn lineup is hard to characterize as anything but killer. Hopefully they’ll fix the concessions lines, and word is they will allow GA pass holders closer to the main stage this year. These were too concerns from the otherwise smooth first year. Overall, you know it will be a great time.
Presale begins Friday, November 3rd at 12 PM Central. Public onsale will happen afterwards if tickets are still available. To sign up for the presale, click here.
November 1, 2023 @ 6:18 pm
They confirmed the GA will be moved to the right side of the stage as well as in the back and the VIP sections will be on the left side
November 1, 2023 @ 6:47 pm
Good to hear. Last year I felt bad for all the GA folks who were way too far back from the main stage, while the VIP sections had huge swaths with nobody in them. Hopefully they get the balance better this time.
November 1, 2023 @ 7:04 pm
For sure. The VIP are pissed, though, based on the comments on Instagram. Too bad. No need to have all that wasted space. Now I’m considering whether I will make the 28hr drive or not!
November 1, 2023 @ 6:22 pm
Curious if you will be reviewing the new Flatland Cavalry album. I know there’s a lot of other news items.
November 1, 2023 @ 6:48 pm
Will hopefully have a review up soon. Thanks for the interest.
November 1, 2023 @ 6:43 pm
It hurts to read that about Pat Green. Hope he figures it out.
November 1, 2023 @ 6:43 pm
Pat’s been good to so many Texas Country artists but he’s sure got a problem!
November 2, 2023 @ 6:13 am
And Pat did a wonderful book about Texas dancehalls. Hope he can beat this!
November 1, 2023 @ 6:56 pm
It’s ludicrous to have Ludacris in that lineup
November 2, 2023 @ 4:06 am
White boots and pink cowboy hats will be going wild at ludacris for sure. Also how the hell are 49 and JR carroll on a sunday afternoon, while you have fuckin dylan gossett and sam barber Saturday afternoon. Tik tok is one sonofabitch
Jeremy pinnell should headline this festival bc he ~rips~
November 2, 2023 @ 7:04 am
The price of this festival is laughable. I can see most of these artists in smaller, better run venues for about the same price. ACL is 3 days and cheaper. Thanks C3 and Live Nation for taking an interest in country music but sweet Jesus the price on tickets is outlandish. To the Ritchie Riches that can afford this…..hope you have fun.
November 2, 2023 @ 8:21 am
agree some of these festivals feel like money grabs, pack as many in as possible and sell $10 to $15 drink, meanwhile, especially in Texas you can see most of the line up, outside of the headliners in small venues for $15 to $30 a show. Went to Gordy’s in FW last month at the speedway, bought early but the 4 day pass was $159, already bought next year 4 day for $99. Catch the early shows up front in the pit and then when it gets too crowded just grab a seat in the bleachers. If you buy early, Gordy’s is a bargain compared to this one.
November 2, 2023 @ 9:01 am
Something else that is fair to point out is that with three stages and packed grounds, you’re not going to be able to see all of the artists on the roster that you want to. Some of them will be playing at the same time, and you won’t be able to make it across the grounds to even check the tail end of the other artist. I speak from the experience of going to this festival last year.
This festival seems slightly more expensive than others, though I would also say it’s a fair deal for the amount of talent they have on the roster. The issue is you’re paying for talent you may not be able to take in because of how packed the schedule is. I’m really surprised they didn’t expand this to three days and spread everything out more.
PS: The reason I didn’t cover Gordy’s Hwy 30 Music Fest in Texas is because they put Diplo on the lineup. After seeing Diplo perform at Two Step Inn this year and the super objectifying set he put together (and I’m no prude), I put a moratorium on covering or even mentioning any fest that books him. Gordy even gave him special billing on the poster. I’m not sure if Diplo is paying these fests to let him play as opposed to vice versa, or how in the hell Diplo fit on that Gordy roster. But I won’t be part of helping to promote someone accused by multiple women of rape and grooming who isn’t even country, and is actively working to push country in a more EDM/electronic direction.
November 2, 2023 @ 11:43 am
Did not know anything about Diplo’s background. I left right before his set started as had no interest in seeing him. Had a few friends that stayed and they did not have anything good to say about his set.
November 5, 2023 @ 12:41 pm
Got my tix to it and while its expensive, the presale wasnt much different than the Old Settlers Festival the same weekend every year. Since OSF was cancelled this year was able to do this one. Same price, half the performances, but the talent is better. Id call it a wash.
November 2, 2023 @ 9:48 am
I think the location is allowing for a bit for the higher price. This line-up plus that area. Georgetown, Roundrock, Austin, all right there. That is a affluent area these days.
November 2, 2023 @ 11:08 am
Ludachris?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
November 3, 2023 @ 10:20 am
Would you prefer Jelly Roll????????????
November 3, 2023 @ 12:04 pm
they both suck
November 3, 2023 @ 10:08 am
There’s a new festival in Conroe this year, Big As Texas is what it’s called, and they’re basically copying Red Dirt BBQ Fest in Tyler completely except they’re having zero Texas artists. I called them out on having a “Texas music” festival with no Texas musicians and they didn’t care for it
November 3, 2023 @ 11:23 am
Yes, might have something on this soon.
November 3, 2023 @ 12:28 pm
Clay Walker, Tracy Byrd, Jamestown Revival, and War Hippies are all from Texas. Thats just by looking at the lineup, and not going through every artists background.
November 3, 2023 @ 12:27 pm
Texas is one of the few decent states left in this country.
Good fun, music, and ladies.
Enjoy it while it lasts.