Grammy nominees and rising stars converge in Moab for folk festival

Moab Folk Festival at the Moab City Ballpark. Photo: Max Haimowitz // Moab Folk Festival

MOAB, Utah — The Moab Folk Festival will celebrate its 23rd anniversary Nov. 7-9, bringing an exceptional lineup of singer-songwriters, Americana, roots and bluegrass musicians to Utah’s stunning red rock canyon country.

The intimate festival will unfold across two venues: the outdoor Moab City Ballpark and the historic indoor Star Hall. Full pricing ranges from $63 to $400, with additional discounts available for children and local residents.

Friday Night Kickoff

The festival opens Friday, Nov. 7, from 7-9:30 p.m. at Star Hall with Mother Tree, a collaboration featuring three nationally acclaimed songwriters and close friends: Susan Cattaeno, Sloan Wainwright and Cosy Sheridan. The trio has created a set designed to lift spirits and showcase their combined artistry.

Four-time Grammy nominee Darrell Scott will headline both evening Star Hall performances. Scott’s lyrics help audiences “make sense of the world, what is at stake here, and our place in it,” according to festival organizers. The beloved singer-songwriter returns to Moab after previous festival appearances.

Saturday Programming

Saturday evening’s Star Hall show, running 7-9:30 p.m., will feature Emily Scott Robinson opening for Scott’s second headlining performance. Robinson, a North Carolina native turned Colorado songwriter, travels America’s highways capturing stories and crafting them into songs that blend bluegrass, country and folk influences. Her storytelling talent and pristine soprano voice promise a memorable performance.

The festival’s main stage programming begins Saturday with eight performances scheduled across the weekend at Moab City Ballpark, running 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

Elephant Revival will headline Saturday’s ballfield show, marking their first festival appearance since 2013. The multi-instrumentalist collective blends Celtic, Americana, folk and indie art rock elements. Their music creates atmospheric soundscapes where vocalist Bonnie’s “warmly haunting voice” either merges with or provides counterpoint to the band’s rhythms and melodies.

Seth Walker, described as “among the most prolific artists on the Americana scene today,” brings his multi-dimensional talent to Saturday’s lineup. Walker combines melodic and lyrical gifts with a “rich, Gospel-drenched, Southern-inflected voice” and skilled guitar work. His 12 albums have reached the Top 20 of Americana Radio Charts and No. 2 on Billboard’s Blues Album Chart, earning praise from NPR, American Songwriter, No Depression and Relix.

Nashville resident Crys Matthews, dubbed “a troubadour of truth,” represents the new generation of social justice music-makers. The award-winning lyricist and composer blends country, Americana, folk, blues and bluegrass into complex performances featuring traditional melodies and honest, original lyrics. Festival organizers note that “she is made for these times.”

Opening Saturday’s festivities will be Tanasi, a collaboration of celebrated Asheville, N.C., musicians featuring the “tight sister-like harmonies” of MerleFest-winning songwriter Anya Hinkle and Mary Lucey (Biscuit Burners, Uncle Earl) alongside Billy Cardine’s distinctive dobro work.

Sunday Finale

Yonder Mountain String Band will headline Sunday’s programming, bringing nearly three decades of roots music innovation to Moab. The group continues leading the progressive bluegrass scene as “undeniable innovators and pioneers of the modern jamgrass movement.” Their high-energy acoustic sound blends bluegrass with rock, alternative, psychedelic and improvisational elements. As festival organizers note, “IYKYK, their shows are lively and fun!”

Grammy-nominated all-woman string band Della Mae will also perform Sunday. The group, featuring musicians from across North America with diverse musical backgrounds, delivers “foot-stomping, crowd-pleasing riots, full of high-octane instrumental skills.” Their mission centers on showcasing top female musicians while improving opportunities for women and girls through advocacy, mentorship, programming and performance.

Colorado supergroup Big Richard rounds out Sunday’s lineup. Since emerging on the Colorado scene in 2021, the four-woman group has garnered attention for their “tight vocal harmonies, dazzling string virtuosity, and clever arrangements.” They’re currently touring their debut full-length studio album “Girl Dinner,” which showcases their honest songwriting, compelling vocals and fiddle-driven energy.

Sunday’s programming will begin with a collaborative inspirational/gospel set featuring multiple artists. Festival organizers emphasize that audiences shouldn’t miss this “supergroup set.”

Additional Programming

Beyond the main performances, the Moab Folk Festival offers several free public workshops on Saturday and Sunday. These educational sessions complement the weekend’s musical programming and provide additional value for attendees.

For more information, visit the Moab Folk Festival website or call 435-260-1756. Those interested in volunteering can find details here.

The festival continues to establish itself as a premier destination for roots music enthusiasts, combining world-class performances with Moab’s incomparable natural setting in southeastern Utah’s red rock country.