Round 2 Artists Revealed
St. Paul and The Broken Bones, Medicine Singers with Lee Ranaldo and Yonatan Gat and more join lineup for North Carolina's largest free music festival
The North Carolina Folk Festival today unveiled the second round of artists slated to perform at the 2026 NC Folk Festival, taking place September 18-20 in downtown Greensboro. The latest lineup announcement further expands the festival's diverse roster of performers, showcasing acclaimed artists whose music spans soul, rock, Indigenous traditions, Americana, singer-songwriter, and genre-defying sounds.
Leading the newest group of announced performers is St. Paul and The Broken Bones, the powerhouse Southern soul ensemble known for its electrifying live performances, dynamic horn arrangements and frontman Paul Janeway's unforgettable stage presence. The band will headline the festival's opening night on Friday, September 18, following the previously announced, acclaimed singer-songwriter Madison Cunningham.
Also joining the lineup is Medicine Singers with Lee Ranaldo and Yonatan Gat, a groundbreaking collaboration that brings together Indigenous musical traditions and experimental rock influences. Their performances blend centuries-old ceremonial songs with modern improvisation, creating a uniquely immersive musical experience.
Additional artists announced today include:
Caleb Caudle, North Carolina-based Americana singer-songwriter celebrated for his heartfelt storytelling and roots-inspired sound.
Yasmin Williams, innovative guitarist whose genre-bending instrumental compositions have earned national acclaim.
Amelia Day, an emerging folk artist known for intimate songwriting and captivating performances.
Elora Dash, whose contemporary approach to folk and roots music reflects a fresh new voice in the genre.
Andrew Scotchie, a North Carolina favorite recognized for his high-energy blend of rock, Americana and Southern soul.
"One of the things that makes the NC Folk Festival so special is the way it brings together artists from vastly different traditions, backgrounds and genres," said Jodee Ruppel, Executive Director of the NC Folk Festival. "This second round of announcements highlights the incredible breadth of music audiences will experience in Greensboro this September, from internationally renowned performers to emerging artists who are shaping the future of folk and roots music."
The newly announced performers join the first wave of artists revealed in May as part of the festival's ongoing rollout of the 2026 lineup. Additional artist announcements and festival details will be released throughout the summer.
Presented free of charge, the NC Folk Festival welcomes hundreds of thousands of attendees annually to downtown Greensboro for three days of music, culture, food and community celebration. The festival features multiple stages, artist demonstrations, family-friendly activities, crafts, and cultural programming representing traditions from North Carolina and around the world.
For festival updates, artist announcements and event information, visit NC Folk Festival.
About the NC Folk Festival
The North Carolina Folk Festival, to be held September 18-20, 2026, in downtown Greensboro, is a nonprofit organization (501c3) that produces transformative celebrations of cultures; where music, art and food unite communities, inspire creativity and drive lasting cultural and economic growth across North Carolina. Visit www.ncfolkfestival.com for more information.
About St. Paul and the Broken Bones
St. Paul and the Broken Bones are a powerhouse soul ensemble from Alabama knonwn for their electrifying live shows and impassioned vocals. Formed in Birmingham in 2012, the band features Paul Janeway (vocals), Jesse Phillips (bass), Browan Lollar (guitar), Kevin Leon (drums), Al Gamble (keyboards), Allen Branstetter (trumpet), Chad Fisher (trombone), and Amari Ansari (saxophone).
About Medicine Singers with Lee Ranaldo and Yonatan Gat
Medicine Singers is a group of singers and drummers in the Native American powwow style. They sing in an Eastern Algonquian dialect under their original moniker, Eastern Medicine Singers. Their live show is the stuff of legend – the Medicine Singers set up, often in-the-round with the audience encircling the band, and go into a trance-inducing set where the walls between band and spectator, as well as between psychedelic rock and traditional powwow are blurred. The performance will feature Lee Ranaldo, founding member of the legendary alternative rock band Sonic Youth, and Yonatan Gat of Monotonix, Israeli-American guitarist, composer and producer.
