July 20, 2026This week's got some serious mileage on it. We're looking at 353 shows across the country, which means if you're not finding something to drive to, you're not looking hard enough. Colorado's absolutely stacked with 43 events, Maine's got 28, and New York's sitting pretty at 23. That's a lot of pickers in a lot of rooms.
Let's start with Monday because Dailey and Vincent are playing the Waco Hippodrome Theatre in Texas. If you've been sleeping on these two, now's the time to wake up. They've been tearing it up on the festival circuit, and a theater show means you're actually going to hear what they're doing instead of catching half of it over the crowd noise.
Trampled By Turtles are hitting Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore on Monday too. That's a solid outdoor venue, and if the weather holds, you're looking at a really good evening. They've got that Minnesota folk-grass thing that works just as well on a summer night by the water as it does in a packed club.
Tony Trischka's teaching at Rockygrass Academy in Lyons, Colorado on Monday. If you're anywhere near that area and you play banjo, or even if you just want to sit in on some workshops, this is the kind of thing you don't pass up. Trischka's forgotten more about the five-string than most of us will ever know.
Alison Krauss and Union Station are doing a run this week, including a stop at State Theatre Center for the Arts in Easton, Pennsylvania on Monday. Her new material's been getting real attention, and watching her live is always worth your time. She doesn't play that many shows anymore, so if you're on the East Coast, check your calendar.
The Truffle Valley Boys are all over the place this week. They're in the UK on Monday at Artisan Tap in Stoke-on-Trent, which tells you something about how far bluegrass has traveled. Front Porch is doing the same thing, playing seven shows across the week including Belgium. That's a different kind of road trip.
## The festivals are where it gets interestingFloyd Fest in Check, Virginia is hosting both AJ Lee and Blue Summit and Bronwyn. That's a solid lineup for one weekend. The Brothers Comatose are playing The Ossipee Valley Music Festival up in Hiram, Maine, which is beautiful country if you've never been. Maine in July is about as good as it gets.
Marshall Bluegrass Festival in Michigan has Edgar Loudermilk on the bill. That's worth the drive if you're in the Midwest and looking for a reason to get out of town. Moon Dance Music Festival in Deerbrook, Wisconsin is bringing Buffalo Galaxy, which should be a good time.
## Some deeper cutsNu-Blu's playing Memorial Park Bandshell in Dickinson, North Dakota on Tuesday. That's not a market you hear about every day, which means if you're up there, you might have the place practically to yourself. North Dakota doesn't get enough bluegrass love.
Hunter Skeens and The Forerunners are at Chester City Park in Chester, West Virginia on Tuesday. Skeens has been doing interesting stuff lately, and a park show in West Virginia is about as real as bluegrass gets.
The New Grown-Ups are at Satellite in Cambridge, Massachusetts on Monday. That's a craft beer spot that books live music, which means it's probably going to be packed but also probably going to be fun. Cambridge crowds are smart and they pay attention.
Chicago Farmer at Rose Bowl Tavern in Urbana, Illinois on Tuesday. If you know his stuff, you already know. If you don't, he's worth discovering. That's the kind of show where you might walk in knowing nothing and walk out wondering why you haven't been following this guy.
There's a lot happening this week. The full listings on GrassGigs have everything broken down if you want to dig deeper, but honestly, with 353 shows going on, you could throw a dart at the calendar and probably land somewhere worth being.