Live Performers Country Festivals Should Not Overlook for 2025
Many of the early country music festivals in 2025 have already announced their lineups, and the big summer festivals are finalizing their rosters as we speak. With so much competition in the festival space and huge corporations trying to shade out the mom and pops, independent festivals have to be smarter and more resourceful when assembling their lineups.
We’ve already seen multiple events cancel due to being unable to pull together competitive lineups. Though some attribute the cancellation of festivals to less fans willing to purchase tickets, in reality this is due to dramatically increased competition pulling those fans away. Searching for value in the realm of independent artists is a way to meet that challenge, while still assembling lineups that draw in fans, and deliver an experience that will be memorable and result in a return customer for a festival.
Another issue in the festival space is how events seem to copy off each other so you end up with the same basic festival rosters across the country. One byproduct of this is performers who should be making it onto festivals end up not making it on any of them, while the same names keep popping up no matter where the festival is.
This is also probably a good time to mention that Saving Country Music offers festival consultation services. We all know how awesome Charley Crockett, 49 Winchester, The Red Clay Strays, Kaitlin Butts, and many others are, and they’re already receiving big opportunities. But to make sure important names don’t go overlooked, here’s a sample of some of the other independent country performers who are guaranteed to deliver top-caliber performances patrons will remember.
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country
Billy Strings is off selling out arenas on consecutive nights, and generally untouchable by festivals big and small. But what Billy Strings is to bluegrass is what Daniel Donato is to country. An instrumental savant and improvisational wizard, he takes country music places nobody else can. And yes, just like Strings, Donato has a significant jam band aspect to his live performances, but that doesn’t mean it’s not grounded in country roots. Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country is also just an incredible experience to witness in-person. The sky is the limit for Donato, and festivals looking performers on the upswing should definitely get wise to him.
Gabe Lee
If there is one name in the entirety of the country music universe that continues to slide criminally under-the-radar with nothing but upside potential, it is Gabe Lee. Most importantly to this conversation though, he’s an incredible live performer, bringing an unexpected and unparalleled amount of soul to his performances. He’s great with a band, but even as a solo performer on a side stage, he will leave audiences agog at what they experienced and telling all of their friends. One of the only reasons Gabe hasn’t exploded nationally is because he hasn’t been given the right opportunities on big stages. But as soon as he does, everyone will want to book him.
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
Yes, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives. This is not a nostalgia act. This is not someone who is coasting off their name recognition from years past who will only attract the geriatrics in the audiences. Marty Stuart and the Superlatives are alive, relevant, and incredible in the live context. Marty Stuart is still at the top of his game with one of the best bands around. It’s galling to see festival lineups come and go and not even consider what they’re leaving on the sidelines with Stuart. Any festival is immediately better with Marty.
Jesse Welles
Jesse Welles is the warrior poet who went from fronting rock bands to recently becoming the poet laureate of the apocalypse with his witty, poignant, and pointed observations presented in pure acoustic form. It hasn’t only been the premises of his songs and the subjects he broaches, but the rapid-fire nature of his output that has put him at or near the top of the heap when it comes to songwriters who tackle current events with the cutting language they deserve.
Most importantly for festivals in 2025, he’s a hot commodity. After playing a select group of shows in October and November, Welles announced a 23-date tour for Winter/Spring 2025. The dates sold out immediately, and he’s already having to add more. This guy’s got it, and sliding curiously under-the-radar with the media and festival promoters. He was booked on Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid in 2024, and went over well.
Summer Dean
Summer Dean is the current queen of Texas country music. There just isn’t anyone else that is more country, more Texan, and more committed to being both and at a high level at the moment. Some who haven’t seen her live recently may disagree. Those who have probably won’t.
Every second, every square inch of the Summer Dean live show is dripping with entertainment value, from humor, to sorrow, and of course tons of Twang. It’s one of the best things going on in live country music at the moment, thanks in part to what she calls her “Hot Shit Texas Band!” She also happens to be hilarious. Summer Dean doesn’t just bring a “performance.” She puts on a show.
Rattlesnake Milk
If you’re looking for that one band from the Austin scene that is dramatically on the rise and looking to break out at any moment, it’s Rattlesnake Milk and everyone else. They’re like a dream that feels truer than reality, but when you wake, you can barely remember it, leaving you with a haunted feeling.
You’re rendered gobsmacked trying to define it. You’re a fool if you try to quantify its properties and explain its contours. It’s better to just close your eyes and surrender to it, allowing the music to take you to somewhere far away in space and time beyond the reach of the physical stasis, but strangely warm and the most real thing you’ve ever experienced. And perhaps more than anything else, Rattlesnake Milk might the purest, most unadulterated expression of music you will ever find.
Silverada
We shouldn’t have to be talking about the undervalued nature of Silverada in 2024. Even after changing their name from Mike and the Moonpies earlier this year, they remain one of the greatest live bands in country, and really in all of music that still doesn’t seem to get its due from the bigger fests. Last year they headlined numerous events like The Jackalope Jamboree in Oregon and proved their top-line value.
The great thing about Silverada is no previous knowledge of this band is required. Prop them up in front of anyone, and they’ll immediately become their favorite band. They just need that opportunity. There is not a festival in the world that won’t be better off by booking Silverada on their roster.
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Three other names to consider and keep an eye on: Traditional country performer Matt Castillo, throwback Patsy Cline-style singer Kimmi Bitter, and incredible singer/songwriter/guitar player Brennen Leigh.
October 22, 2024 @ 8:48 am
I would add Taylor Hunnicutt to the list.
October 22, 2024 @ 9:11 am
Honestly, I don’t think Taylor Hunnicutt needs to be on this list. I think the word is out with her, she’s already receiving a lot of big festival opportunities, a lot of big opening slots, and my guess is those opportunities are only going to get bigger for her as times goes on. I feel like if anything, she’s ahead of schedule in that regard.
The frustrating thing with Taylor is how her recorded stuff seems almost like an afterthought. The press is not really behind her, and she’s not getting on playlists, etc. Usually it’s vice versa with artists.
October 22, 2024 @ 9:27 am
I did a couple of experiments last year and I noticed that Spotify algorithms seem to treat female artists as a separate genre. Exactly what your algorithm recommends depends on whether you have premium Spotify or not come up but I noticed it’s biased against women.
Later, I was researching algorithms and red and some book that somebody in country music (I think Martina mcbryde? I can’t remember which artist it was) apparently noticed the same thing a few years ago.
I think that’s what’s actually happening with Taylor Hunnicutt and everybody else. I’m pretty sure the process has gotten worse in the last couple of years.
Obviously fans don’t develop their taste in a vacuum and this algorithmic trend probably creates a self reinforcing cycle as well.
People love talking about how there were supposedly so many great country music women in the 90s, but honestly I think it was just a sweet spot between the time when women artists finally started getting decent radio play, and the time when bro country and then streaming recommendations algorithms began shutting them out again starting in the bro country era.
I’m endlessly grateful that this blog at least doesn’t have a problem with this
October 22, 2024 @ 9:50 am
No doubt the algorithms disfavor women for sure. But to get on the biggest playlists, you have to submit your singles to Spotify months in advance, and get in front of their editorial teams. Then it also helps if you have a publicist pushing your stuff to the playlist makers, radio DJ and program directors, and to the press. Not to get too inside baseball here, but unfortunately Taylor doesn’t have any of that at the moment. She’s absolutely killing it live, but they need a recorded music strategy to compliment that. I think she’s so good live and the doors are opening for her, they’re following the path of least resistance and focusing on that, which might be smart. But you can’t completely ignore the recorded music side of the equation.
October 22, 2024 @ 11:37 am
I don’t know if you can add anything to this but Spotify playlists really are trash now. Like somehow Kane brown and Morgan wallen are now artists I’m constantly being pushed despite having no interest in them. My wife has said the same thing the algorithm no longer seems to know what you actually want to hear the way it used to
October 22, 2024 @ 1:01 pm
There a couple of things at play here. As someone else commented, Spotify laid off a bunch of people, and that human curation really is vital to understanding people’s listening habits.
The second thing is now that so many independent artist are just as popular as mainstream ones, it makes it harder for algorithmic playlists to understand what’s happening. You’re seeing this with festival lineups as well, with Tyler Childers headlining the same festival as Blake Shelton.
Festivals are finally figuring out these non radio performers sell tickets. What they’re still trying to figure out is how to curate them properly so they’re putting days together that will appeal to actual people, no different than playlists.
October 22, 2024 @ 10:59 am
Spotify laid off 1500 workers and a lot of them were in charge of the algorithm.
It just isn’t what it used to be.
Even the DJ feature lets me down.
I DON’T WANT TO LISTEN TO TAYLOR SWIFT SPOTIFY!
October 23, 2024 @ 5:47 pm
Yes!! I never realized this but I have never heard one female song play in either my pandora or Spotify playlists. That’s kinda messed up.
October 22, 2024 @ 8:55 am
+1 to Taylor Hunnicutt. She is made for music festivals. Her southern rock sound should appeal to a lot more than traditional country fans, and she’s one of the most incredible voices out there, up there with Summer Dean as far as country women go and definitely up there with any of the good male vocalists that play these events.
Damn it I want to hear a duet with her and Shane Smith now that I think of it.
October 22, 2024 @ 9:03 am
Born and Raised sent me a survey asking who they should book for next year. I sent them a list of over 100 artists that concluded with “MORE WOMEN!” There’s plenty of folks I don’t see pop up on lineups but almost your whole list here was on my list.
October 22, 2024 @ 9:47 am
I think I just remembered where I read the bit about algorithmic recommendations and female artists in country music. It came up in Kyle Chayka’s book Filterworld: How Algorithms Flatten Culture. I’m not sure if I recommend the book but check out his YouTube interview with Adam Conover for more similar examples.
I still don’t remember which famous artist he was talking about – but it was one of the 1990s country women, who recently discovered this same algorithmic recommendation issue. Apparently a bunch of other fans were able to replicate the same problem. I would really love to get a journalist on this issue because I think it’s actually warping country music preferences. I don’t know how many times on social media I’ve seen people say “I just don’t like women’s voices” when we don’t seem to hear that in related genres like the blues right now.
October 22, 2024 @ 10:55 am
Love Gabe Lee. He’s on my list.
Saw Silverada this year. Great live show. The bass player is the most active bassist I’ve seen yet.
What about Wyatt Flores?
October 22, 2024 @ 11:07 am
The sky is the limit for Wyatt Flores, and he’s been getting tons of festival and touring opportunities. My guess is 2025 will be a big year for him.
What I wanted to focus on here were performers that I feel are going undervalued for what they bring live, and what their upside potential is or should be. Gabe Lee is probably the perfect example of that.
October 23, 2024 @ 12:35 pm
Was fortunate enough to see Gabe Lee open for Isbell in ATL a couple of years ago. He was really great.
As for Flores, saw him this past December at Saturn (around 525 capacity) in BHM. Going on Friday across the street to see him at Avondale (about 3000 capacity). I guess next will be the BJCC (around 19,000) then the Mercedes Stadium in ATL.
October 22, 2024 @ 10:59 am
A few people I’d like to catch this year
– Willy Tea Taylor
– Ritch Henderson
– Presley Haile
October 22, 2024 @ 11:12 am
Rattlesnake Milk above all.
October 22, 2024 @ 11:12 am
Agree 100% that Gabe is way too under-the-radar and should be getting booked on these festivals. For my two cents, I’ll add Grace Tyler as a female that should be on any lineup shading towards Texas country. I’ll throw Erin Viancourt in that category as well. Ben Chapman has seen his share of festivals but after his album drops in December he better be getting more late-day slots. I think a couple of quality mainstream artists that would fit nicely onto a lineup geared toward country rock (say Koe or even 49 Win headlining) would be Jackson Dean and Elvie Shane. I realize both these guys have Nashville record deals but their songs generally tend to be of much better quaility than most of the beer, truck, long tan legs crap of their radio peers. Neither are finding a huge audience in the mainstream world and they aren’t connecting with the younger crowd so why not blend them into a more independent-minded fest? Lastly, I don’t see Drake Milligan’s name on many fest lineups. Most entertaining show I’ve seen this year. Drake could easily fit into a bill with traditional artists or a Texas/Red Dirt lineup. I’d just hate to be the act that has to go on after him.
October 22, 2024 @ 11:20 am
A few that I would love to see included are Rob Leines, Jesse Daniel, Red Shahan, Joe Stamm, Casper McWade, Erin Viancourt, Treaty Oak Revival and Ellis Bullard.
October 25, 2024 @ 5:02 pm
Thank you for the Rob Leines recommendation! I read your comment and, since I like everyone else you named, decided to look him up. Four days later, I still can’t stop listening to him.
While I’m here, I feel compelled to say RIP Phil’s Lesh. We lost a great one today, on and off the stage.
Trigg, any idea whether there will be a chance to see Leroy Vigil/Hellbound Glory live someplace anytime in the not too distant future?
October 28, 2024 @ 12:17 pm
Red Shahan was the best show I saw this year (so far).
October 22, 2024 @ 11:24 am
I’m kinda tired of seeing Margo Price also hogging up festival lineup spaces so regularly…. Like she just rides the coattails of being associated with other big names and being friends with Willie to get billed higher, yet hardly tours on her own at all and couldn’t fill up most small medium size clubs on her own. She literally just milks off the festival circuit( hey I’m sure money is good I guess I don’t blame that) and beats to death that she smokes weed as a marketing strategy to be so “hip” like we get it. You’re soooo outlaw
October 23, 2024 @ 4:57 pm
Gotta agree with you here Austinite.
However, she filled in last minute two years ago at Luck Reunion backed not by her band but the Band of Heathens, and they were awesome. It was clear they’d hardly been able to practice together but they pulled it off perfectly.
Her voice is not one for the masses, though, it’s mousy and limited in range.
Still, I was prepared to dislike her but ended up being impressed. Go figure.
October 22, 2024 @ 2:37 pm
Willi Carlisle is a bigger draw than he gets credit for and burned the bar down when I saw him a couple of weeks ago. I think he would be money in a festival lineup, if he has any interest.
And as long as we’re talking about folksy Arkansas weirdos, Nick Shoulders puts on a helluva show and is a great addition to any festival.
October 22, 2024 @ 2:40 pm
Rattle Snake Milk
Summer Dean
Play em both loud and constantly.
October 22, 2024 @ 4:50 pm
Where is Amanda Ferris? Her website does not show any tours. Just wondering.
October 22, 2024 @ 5:52 pm
Mickey Guyton let’s go .
October 22, 2024 @ 6:09 pm
I saw Gabe Lee two nights in row. One in somebody’s backroom in my area the other at a local bar. He had a “band” but it was just the opening act sitting in. They had their van robbed right outside the venue the first night and delivered an even more fire up set the following night.
You are right about people who witness him become converted. His merch sold out.
And double yes to Marty Stuart and his Superlatives… He did an acoustic show here and the tore the roof harder than many electric shows I have seen. He is definitely one you take people to see NO MATTER what genre they like. If they leave a Marty show not having had a good times they were dead when they went it.
October 22, 2024 @ 7:41 pm
I saw Daniel Donato, Taylor Hunnicutt, and Whitey Morgan a few weeks ago at the Federales Festival. What a great time, small crowd, and at $75.00 general admission, affordable to all.
October 22, 2024 @ 9:01 pm
We would have loved to have seen Cody Ikerd and the Sidewinders on this list. Cody Ikerd had a huge release in April 2024 “I Miss You” and the band made a lot of waves all summer as an independent artist from the Midwest pounding the road for the last 9 years with his 80’s/90’s style of country.
October 23, 2024 @ 2:45 am
Just wanted to say that there is a lot of good music coming out…you just gotta be looking for it!
October 23, 2024 @ 7:49 am
Lance Roark. If his first full length is anywhere near as good as “Tenkiller” this guy is gonna blow up.
October 23, 2024 @ 8:01 am
Saw Marty Stuart and his band yesterday in support of Chris Stapleton. I could not agree more. They were superb. A great addition to any festival with their unique brand of country.
October 23, 2024 @ 8:45 am
Just saw Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country three nights in a row, over 10 hours of live music. My mind is melted.
Just my personal opinion, for what my tastes in music are, this is the best live band going in music right now. (I said opinion for anyone who feels the need to disagree…)
October 24, 2024 @ 1:30 am
Gabe Lee is so good he should have a festival with his own name!