NCFF to Host Third Annual Matty Sheets Memorial Open Mic

The NC Folk Festival will honor the life and legacy of Matty Sheets with the Third Annual Matty Sheets Memorial Open Mic on Friday, Sept. 18, the festival’s opening night. The event will take place on the Revity Federal Credit Union Jams Stage, one of six stages featured throughout the three-day festival.

Sheets, who died in 2024, hosted open mics across Greensboro for over 15 years, offering a safe place for budding musicians to try, experiment and practice their work. To participate in this year’s open mic or share a memory of Matty and his impact, visit this link.

“We are so proud to honor the late, great Matty Sheets through his own open mic concept,” said Savannah Thorne, Artistic Director of the NC Folk Festival. “Matty had, and still has, a huge influence on Greensboro music culture. We hope this year’s festival and open mic continues to extend his legacy.”

The Matty Sheets Memorial Open Mic is just one part of the 2026 NC Folk Festival, which is bringing another year of diverse music, arts and cultural programming to downtown Greensboro. The festival will take place Sept. 18–20 and is free and open to the public.

For festival updates, artist announcements and event information, visit NC Folk Festival.