Tonight on JamFest we have two broadcasts that taken together present an amazing cross section of the roots and improvisational music worlds, from deep catalog to the latest releases. First, All Things Considered Live kicks off the evening with a look back at Sierra Ferrell’s legendary set at this year’s XPoNential Music Festival in Wiggins Park on the Camden Waterfront in New Jersey in 2021. Newgrass Radio closes out the broadcast day with six hours of music that spotlight the legends and new voices in this music who are expanding the boundaries of every style to be found. There’s plenty to enjoy in both programs, so please come on in!
All Things Considered Live Tonight: Sierra Ferrell at XPoNential, 2021
There are performances at festivals that are satisfying in the moment and largely forgotten by the time the parking lot has emptied. And then there are performances that somehow locate a frequency in the hearts of those in attendance and long afterwards, returning like a touchstone for what that particular live music experience was all about. Sierra Ferrell’s XPoNential 2021 set falls squarely in the latter category.
Tonight’s All Things Considered Live Radio Show features that legendary performance in its entirety, allowing listeners to once again hear every note and every word of Ferrell’s master class in traditional American music and songwriting that she presented to the capacity crowd on the Wiggins Park lawn that September afternoon. As with past All Things Considered Live broadcasts featuring unique live performances and musical highlights from around the country, the show’s hosts know that their most important job is to take music that has connected with a crowd at a specific time and place and share it in a way that will allow it to connect with new listeners in new places.
Sierra Ferrell is one of those artists whose music seems to defy critical shorthand, challenging writers to think beyond the typical categories and descriptors because her music encompasses so many different sounds and approaches. Her voice, which conjures up traditional American music songcraft of the highest order, has a timeless quality to it, as if she were born in 1930 and not 1994. She draws from the deepest wells of old-time music, Western swing, ragtime, and Appalachian balladry, but also from her uniquely itinerant upbringing and years of busking around the country before recording deals and management contracts were ever on the table. That combination of elements gives her music its characteristic sound, but more importantly it gives her songs their power. After spending years on the road and in the clubs, playing for whomever would listen and losing herself in the music, she understands something that most insulated and over-produced artists forget: that at its most basic level, music is a form of communication. It is intimate, one-to-one, and can take place in any venue, from a small club to an outdoor amphitheater, so long as the musician truly connects with the audience and welcomes them into the experience.
The XPoNential Music Festival, presented on the banks of the Delaware River and with the Philadelphia skyline as its backdrop in Wiggins Park on the Camden Waterfront, has a long history of booking truly special shows that feature an eclectic mix of artists across a range of musical genres. WXPN, the radio station that presents XPoNential, knows that its audience is made up of curious music lovers who seek out new and different sounds alongside more familiar acts, and so Sierra Ferrell’s 2021 appearance was the perfect fit.
That September afternoon, Ferrell delivered a set that drew from across her impressive catalog, including “Cheap Wine and Cigarettes” and “Jeremiah,” the former of which is prime example of her ability to craft a hook-laden melody that somehow manages to be simultaneously simple and complex, while the latter showcases her skill as a songwriter in the great American country music tradition. Ferrell’s instrumentals were equally special, effortlessly drawing on a range of styles while her banter with the Wiggins Park audience was the kind that gets reprised in parking lots and around kitchen tables for years after the show has ended.
In her hometown of New Jersey, Ferrell’s appearance at XPoNential was more than just another club date, and that specialness was no doubt enhanced by the fact that the XPoNential Festival continues to evolve its reputation as one of the premier outdoor festivals in the Northeast. The shows at Wiggins Park are notable for drawing special attention from fans, local media, and the music industry at large, and for giving hometown acts the kind of exposure that can launch their careers. Her XPoNential set was also part of a busy summer for Ferrell, one that saw her perform songs from her upcoming release Cheap Wine and Cigarettes at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado before she returned to New Jersey for her festival appearance in September. As an artist who continues to build her profile with every performance and every release, her appearance at XPoNential 2021 was the kind of career-defining show that will no doubt continue to draw new fans and get existing fans talking for years to come.
Tonight’s broadcast is an invitation to join those fans at the Camden Waterfront, where the music, atmosphere, and the electricity of that September afternoon have all been captured for you to enjoy.
Widespread Panic Heads to Atlantic City: Three Nights at Hard Rock Live
Following a sprawling West Coast theatre run that featured such classic rock milestones as the band’s first-ever performance in Alaska, Widespread Panic has begun their eastbound trek with three consecutive nights at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City, NJ, playing August 14-16. The band has been on quite a tear this summer, delivering career-highlight performances left and right, from Duane Betts’s unforgettable Wyoming appearance to three nights at the legendary Fox Theater in Oakland, California, with its incomparable acoustics, to the out-of-this-world generosity of spirit the band members have shown one another over the course of their decades-long friendship forged on the road.
Nick Johnson has been laying down some first-rate lead guitar work all summer long, keeping the Spreadheads fans guessing, and earning critical acclaim from his bandmates. Jimmy Herring has been working hard to recover his health after his battle with throat cancer, but the caring nature of the Widespread Panic family has helped carry him through every step of his treatment. As the band hits Atlantic City this August for the first time since 2013, it’s clear that there’s no place on Earth quite like the Jersey Shore in August. Three nights of Widespread Panic at the Hard Rock are sure to be unforgettable for the hometown fans who get to see the band on their home turf.
moe.phrey’s: The Late-Night Supergroup the Jam World Has Been Waiting For
Something special is happening on Saturday, August 15 at 28 Mile Distilling Company in Highwood, Illinois, and the jam band community is going to be talking about it for years to come. The collaborative late-night supergroup project featuring members of moe. and Umphrey’s McGee that has been known only by the working title of moe.phrey’s has been announced officially for the first time, and will occur on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with a performance beginning at 11 PM CST.
The four musicians who will take the stage at 28 Mile Distilling Company have built incredible careers with their respective bands, but the way they combine is sure to be something special. The band has been playing together extensively on the road in the weeks leading up to this special show. From Umphrey’s McGee: bassist Ryan Stasik and drummer Scotty Zwang. From moe.: guitarist Al Schnier and keyboardist Nate Wilson. These four masters of improvisation have had the opportunity to cut loose and stretch out in their home towns while on the moe.mentUM Summer Tour, but this special show at the 28 Mile Distilling Company is sure to be the highlight of their summer.
The late-night show at 28 Mile Distilling Company is a follow-up to the regular headlining sets that will occur the day before at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois, where moe. and Umphrey’s McGee will headline in a special co-headlining appearance. MoE. And Umphrey’s McGee share a deep history on the road with one another, and have long played late-night sets together following their festival appearances or other large venue shows. Each band is known for its improvisational approach to performance, and the two are sure to deliver a show that has it all, from musical virtuosity to extended jams to a feeling of freedom and spontaneity. The intimacy of a small room late at night will undoubtedly play a factor in what these four musicians get up to on stage.
Newport Folk’s Collaborative Finale: Dave Matthews, Mavis Staples, and Nathaniel Rateliff
The Newport Folk Festival has a long history of throwing down the gauntlet to its artists to participate in one of the most unique collaborative finale events in the music world. This year’s festival closed on a high note, as Dave Matthews, Mavis Staples, and Nathaniel Rateliff joined forces for a massive collaborative finale set that was the stuff of legend.
With his deft songwriting and guitar work, Dave Matthews was the perfect fit for a show spotlighting the American roots music tradition. Mavis Staples’s powerful contralto was a tour de force, and her presence and power onstage were inspiring, as she sang about faith and family through six decades of music. Rateliff’s dynamic and soulful performance bridged the musical styles of both Matthews and Staples, and the entire set paid tribute to the spirit of Newport Folk and the music it showcases.
The Newport Folk Festival in its current incarnation is the result of an enduring belief that the musical traditions of America deserve to be presented to the public, that the artists who carry on those traditions are worthy successors to the folk music greats, and that bringing them together in the special setting of Aquidneck Island is something that benefits everyone involved. This year’s collaborative finale was an unprecedented look at the deep well of talent across the American roots music spectrum and a look at the future: the music will continue as it always has, with songs passed from one musician to another, with artists collaborating onstage, and with audiences responding to the sheer magic of live performance.
Gov’t Mule, Bruce Hornsby, and the Grateful Dead Tradition
Warren Haynes and Gov’t Mule brought out special guests Bruce Hornsby and violinist John Mailander during their most recent tour for an expansive excursion through the Grateful Dead songbook that, according to reports from the venue floor, ran the gamut of musical and emotional expression that defines the best Gov’t Mule shows. Hornsby has long had a unique relationship with the Dead’s music, as he was a touring member of the band in the early ‘90s. He brings a special understanding of the music and its history to his performances, as he is not only a fan but also a participant in the band’s legacy.
By virtue of his playing with Gov’t Mule, the Allman Brothers Band, and Warren Haynes Band, Haynes himself has an equally deep connection to the Grateful Dead songbook. It’s no surprise that the two have been able to combine their talents onstage, stretching out and finding new ways to communicate through these familiar tunes.
The connection between the two musicians is something special, and when they’re able to unlock it during a performance it creates an indescribable magic. Pairing Haynes’s guitar work with Hornsby’s pianistic approach and Mailander’s violin is one way for fans to hear the kind of extended listening that occurs when a band finds itself truly engaged in what it’s playing.
Billy Strings at Bethel Woods: Jerry Garcia’s Birthday and a Rare Moment
Billy Strings played a pair of special shows at Bethel Woods over the weekend for the sold-out crowd who came to see him perform. Strings paid special tribute to Garcia by playing Jimi Hendrix’s “Who Knows” and a second-ever performance of “Arabia,” one of the guitar duet tracks that Garcia and David Grisman recorded together in the late ‘70s.
The setting and occasion of Garcia’s birthday and the special anniversary of Woodstock that occurs at Bethel Woods combine to make Billy Strings at Bethel Woods a show that will no doubt be remembered for years to come. The fact that Garcia and Grisman’s “Arabia” was played for the second time ever at Bethel Woods is something special, and fans will no doubt cherish Strings’s interpretation of this Garcia classic for years to come.
The excitement generated by the weekend at Bethel Woods is sure to carry over into Billy Strings’s upcoming three-night stand at the Fishers Event Center in Indiana beginning on Thursday, August 6. The city of Fishers and Hamilton County Tourism has mounted a special community-wide celebration in honor of the shows, which will see the FORUM Credit Union Plaza transformed into a Shakedown Street with over 40 vendors, beer gardens, and local food vendors to serve the fans who travel to see Strings. That a small college town in Indiana is planning a festival-worthy event around a Billy Strings show is a testament to the power and influence of the man and his music in 2026.
Dogs in a Pile Homecoming at the Stone Pony Summer Stage
There’s no feeling quite like that of a music community coming out to welcome one of their own back home, and that’s exactly what the folks up in Asbury Park, New Jersey are in for this summer at the Stone Pony with local favorites Dogs in a Pile.
The New Jersey band that has been slowly climbing the national charts this year is set to headline the Stone Pony Summer Stage for the third year in a row on August 8, for their first show supporting their latest release, Distroid .
The Stone Pony is one of the country’s most hallowed rock clubs, boasting some of the best square footage of living musical history in the country. Beyond the performances of legends like Springsteen , though, the very building is a piece of living history itself. That the Stone Pony has been able to host Dogs in a Pile for three straight summers is one thing. But to headline the Summer Stage is to share in a relationship between the band and its community, one that has seen Dogs in a Pile grow from an up-and-coming local band into national stars, and which has returned that love in kind, coming out to support them with every release and every show.
The NewGrass World This Week: Bronwyn, Keller Williams, Scott Avett Banjos, and the Broader Scene
The acoustic roots and newgrass world has seen its fair share of developments and milestones this week, both within the broader industry and in ways that relate more specifically to the NewGrass Radio Show.
First things first, Bronwyn , whose fiddling and vocals have made her a huge name in the 2026 IBMA Awards conversation, released a preview single from her forthcoming album this week, the bluegrass standard “Gallatin Road”, featuring Bryan Sutton and Wes Corbett. The song, as she notes in its press release, has the feel of old Nashville, complete with Sutton laying down tasty guitar tracks and Corbett playing banjo, an instrument whose presence on record is sure to please any traditional bluegrass fan, not to mention the songs lyrics. “Gallatin Road” is the first taste of her upcoming album, Rattlin’ Bones , due out on August 14th.
Also seeing a release this week on the live front, Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass has a live album recorded at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum, set to release this summer. Featuring the band’s unique mix of progressive bluegrass and Grateful Dead arrangements recorded in a proper bluegrass hall, the album is sure to be a highlight for bluegrass fans who appreciate a mix of tradition and experimentation.
Meanwhile on the instrument-building front, Deering Banjos has announced the launch of two new signature banjos created in collaboration with Scott Avett of The Avett Brothers . Looking to bring their names to a wider audience, Deering’s new models will no doubt catch the eyes of many an Avett Brothers fan who had never considered buying a banjo before. After all, no instrument shapes the music it helps make as much as the banjo does, and signature models from a musician of Scott Avett’s stature are sure to influence the market for years to come.
As for the more technical developments that have helped shape the sound of bluegrass this week, the story begins at MerleFest 2026. According to reports from the event, DPA Microphones have been using specialized arrays to capture the full sound of banjos and fiddles playing on acoustic stages throughout the event.
While it might not sound like much, the implications of being able to capture a true, raw reproduction of the organic sound of an acoustic banjo or fiddle are massive; after all, there’s a difference between hearing a sound and hearing music.
The 57th Annual Dove Awards have also nominated a handful of bluegrass artists in their Bluegrass categories. Set to take place on October 6th in Nashville, the awards, given out by the Gospel Music Association, feature a number of categories recognizing the contribution of bluegrass to sacred music and have long been a staple for bluegrass artists that incorporate religious themes into their work. As expected from an award show that takes its mission to honor God’s work in music so seriously, each of the Dove Award categories reflects the full spectrum of bluegrass recordings released throughout the year.
This month has plenty of festivals to choose from for bluegrass fans, starting with the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival, which runs from August 5th-8th in Goshen, Connecticut. Featuring both the Telefunkin’ Band Contest, the festival also hosts several other contests throughout the weekend in addition to a few special events. For those in the Virginia area, Augusta Heritage Bluegrass Week is set to take place August 4th-6th in Elkins, West Virginia. Featuring workshops for bluegrass musicians of all levels, the week will also include a Bluegrass Bass Mini-Class for those looking to brush up on their bass skills. Meanwhile, the Three Corners Bluegrass Festival is set to stage its annual six hour live marathon of bluegrass music on August 30th at The Annex WNY in Chaffee, New York, featuring Special Consensus as the headliners. In the Carolinas, the Reedy River String Band , a south Carolina newgrass band that recently toured Europe, will headline the Top of the Grade concert in Saluda, North Carolina on August 14th, bringing their blend of newgrass to the traditional bluegrass setting of the event.
Continuing their history of working with some of the most influential singer-songwriters of the past, present, and future, Billy Blue Records has inked a exclusive recording contract with prolific writer David Morris, already a publishing partner with the label. Finally, the independent label Sound Biscuit Records announced the signing of The Bays Mountain Cut-Ups to their permanent artist roster, as they continue to build their reputation as a regional bluegrass label with national appeal. With the music industry as fickle as it is, these kinds of announcements from record labels are always important reminders that there are people who care deeply about promoting the music that they love.
NewGrass Radio Tonight: Music Without Rules and Everything That Means
Tonight, as All Things Considered Live winds down on the JamFest radio station, NewGrass Radio goes live to deliver six hours straight of acoustic roots music spanning the entire history of the music, from the founding fathers to the modern innovators. NewGrass Radio prides itself on celebrating traditional music and its creators, not only by giving airtime to the legends, but by treating their work with the seriousness and respect it deserves. Great music from decades past isn’t “old”, it’s music that has simply had more time to mature, to develop, and to enrich the lives of the people who enjoy it. Newgrass Radio, as its name suggests, revels in the music of today and yesterday, playing it all with a sense of tradition that underscores its love and appreciation for the timelessness of the art form. Tonight’s broadcast will see the station’s DJs spinning tracks from the pioneers of bluegrass whose contributions helped shape the sound of the music as we know it now. At the same time, NewGrass Radio will also be playing more modern fare, celebrating the new voices shaping the sound of the next generation of acoustic music. From traditional bluegrass to jazzgrass to rockgrass to every hybrid style in between, Newgrass Radio is all about the music, because that’s where the magic really is.
“Music Without Rules” is, in essence, a celebration of innovation and invention across the span of acoustic string music. It’s a philosophy that holds that the music isn’t made any less valid by the passage of time. It’s a belief that great music should be able to evolve beyond the point where it began, beyond the rules that may have governed its earliest days. In fact, great music should break those rules, because that’s how it moves forward, expanding and growing and developing in ways that continue to surprise us. It’s a perspective that has long defined bluegrass music, ever since Bill Monroe first blended together the sounds of Scruffy Murphy and his Monroe Brothers to create something new. It’s a perspective that Tony Rice, Sam Bush, Béla Fleck, and generations of other great bluegrass musicians have shared. It’s a perspective that, today, can be heard in the works of Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Ferrell, Bronwyn, and countless other newgrass musicians across the country who are continuing to innovate the time-honored sounds of bluegrass.
Tonight, Newgrass Radio will bring all of it together, from the traditional to the groundbreaking; from the early sounds of bluegrass to the new, experimental tracks of today; from all across the country, spanning dozens of different styles and varying levels of experience. The magic of it all is that, somewhere in the middle of it all, the line between then and now simply disappears, leaving behind only the music to remind us all why we fell in love with bluegrass in the first place.
Tune in this evening, because the music is always waiting for you.
JamFest | All Things Considered Live, bringing you exclusive NPR Music live recordings from iconic venues and festivals across the country. Followed by NewGrass Radio, six hours of nonstop bluegrass from the founding legends to the boundary-pushing new generation. Traditional artists and Music Without Rules, every week on JamFest.
Coming Up on JamFest
🎵 All Things Considered Live— Mondays at 7 PM EST
🎵 NewGrass Radio — Mondays at 7 PM EST
🎵 Live Nuggets — Tuesdays at 9 PM EST
🎵 NRN Radio Show — Wednesdays at 9 PM EST
🎵 Festival Radio Show — Thursdays at 9 PM EST
🎵 What is Hip?! — Fridays at 10 PM EST
🎵 Club Night — Saturdays at 10 PM EST
🎵 Sunday Spunday — Sundays at 2 AM EST
🎵 Gospel Lunch — Sundays at 12:30 PM EST
🎵 Project Reggaeologist — Sundays at 10 PM EST
🎵 Live From The Vault — TBD Coming Soon!
Stay tuned to JamFest for breaking music news, concert coverage, festival updates, tour announcements, and the greatest live recordings ever captured.
JamFest Radio Shows
Radio Show
All Things Considered Live
Monday’s - 7:00PM - 8:00PM
A curated journey through NPR Music’s most compelling live recordings, All Things Considered Live showcases standout performances from iconic venues and festivals like Newport Folk Festival, SXSW, and the 9:30 Club. Each broadcast delivers authentic, high-quality live sets from some of today’s most compelling artists. Read More.
Every Monday Early Evening
Radio Show
NewGrass Radio Show
Monday Nights - 9:00PM - 3:00AM
Where tradition meets innovation, NewGrass Radio Show spotlights both classic bluegrass roots and the new generation redefining the genre. Inspired by the boundary-breaking spirit of New Grass Revival, this show celebrates “music without rules” through bold, genre-blending performances. Read More.
Every Monday Night
Radio Show
Live Nuggets
Tuesday Nights - Begins at 9:00PM
Every Tuesday night at 9PM EST, Live Nuggets delivers a carefully curated, full-length live concert experience, broadcast in its entirety. Each edition is handpicked to showcase standout performances across the live music spectrum—capturing the raw energy, improvisation, and atmosphere that only a true live set can provide. It’s not a highlight reel—it’s the whole show, exactly as it happened. Read More.
Every Tuesday Night
Radio Show
NRN Radio Show
Wednesday Nights - Begins at 9:00PM
A handpicked spotlight on the latest release from your favorite artist, NRN Radio Show brings new music to life with depth, emotion, and intention. Each broadcast dives beyond the surface, showcasing the artistry, storytelling, and production that make every release worth experiencing in full. Read More.
Every Wednesday Night
Radio Show
Festival Radio
Thursday Nights - 9:00PM - 5:00AM
Every Thursday night, Festival Radio turns JamFest into a nonstop live festival experience. For over 8 hours, every track comes straight from iconic festival performances—bringing you back to the shows, the crowds, and the moments you loved most. Read More.
Every Thursday Night
Radio Show
What Is Hip?!
Friday Nights - 10:00PM - 9:00AM
A deep dive into the sound and soul of New Orleans, What Is Hip?! celebrates the birthplace of jazz through its roots in Dixieland and traditional New Orleans styles. Each show channels the rhythm, history, and unmistakable groove that define one of music’s most influential cities. Read More.
Every Friday Night
Radio Show
Club Night
Saturday Nights - 10:00PM - 2:00AM
Every Saturday night, Club Night brings the energy of the world’s biggest dance floors straight to JamFest. Featuring DJ sets, studio mixes, remixes, and top-tier EDM from the planet’s most iconic festivals, it’s a nonstop pulse of late-night sound and rhythm. Read More.
Every Saturday Night
Radio Show
Sunday Spunday
Sunday Mornings - 2:00AM - 9:00AM
The party doesn’t stop—Sunday Spunday keeps it going from 2AM through 9AM EST with a seamless overnight flow of live energy and late-night vibes. It’s the after-hours soundtrack that carries you straight into Sunday morning. Read More.
Late Saturday Night & Early Sunday Morning
Radio Show
Gospel Lunch
Sunday’s - 12:30PM - 2:00PM
Every Sunday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, Gospel Lunch serves up a vibrant blend of NOLA-style gospel and soul. Rooted in the spirit and sound of New Orleans, it’s an uplifting, feel-good set that brings powerful energy to your Sunday afternoon. Read More.
Sunday Lunch
Radio Show
Project Reggaeologist
Sunday Nights - 10:00PM - 6:00AM
A global celebration of reggae culture, Project Reggaeologist delivers nonstop reggae, dancehall, roots, ska, and world music straight from the scene and the world’s top festivals. Blending legendary artists with fresh releases and rising talent, each show keeps the heartbeat of reggae alive and evolving. Read More.
Every Sunday Night
Daily News Reports
NPR’s News Now
Four (4) Times Daily - 9:00AM, 12 NOON, 6:00PM & 8:30PM EST
Stay informed throughout the day with NPR’s News Now, airing four times daily with concise, up-to-the-minute coverage of the latest headlines. It’s a fast, reliable snapshot of national and global news when you need it most. Read More.