Langhorne Slim with Sam Outlaw and Susto // Roxy Theater // April 29
Slim’s funky punk twist on country and folk is the leading lane in this packed highway of an evening full of country boys. Tickets
BGS Presents Birds of Chicago // Largo // April 6
Allison Russell and JT Nero bring together '60s soul, mountain gospel, and folk in a way that grooves so well that you know their live performances are on another level. Tickets
Noah Gundersen // The Hotel Café // April 6
Gundersen’s wistful vocals — accompanied by surging strings and melodic guitar and piano — are reminiscent of the best '90s indie music and bound to entrance any audience. Tickets
The SongBirds // The Hotel Café // April 13
Drawing a spotlight to the jazzy trios of the '20s, '30s, and '40s, the SongBirds are three talented women in their own right (Gaby Moreno, Erica Canales, and Dannielle DeAndrea) who form a unique time capsule of energetic and sliding harmonies. Tickets
Chris Stapleton // The Greek Theater // April 27
Without a doubt, the most unmissable act of the year, Stapleton snatched up several awards this year for his breakout solo album after years of hanging out behind the scenes. His wife Morgane is a talent in her own right and performs alongside Chris and, if you need more convincing, please just listen to their hauntingly special rendition of the old classic “You Are My Sunshine” on the new Southern Family LP. Tickets
Rayland Baxter // 3rd and Lindsley // April 7
Baxter has had quite the journey given his young age — his lulling guitar picks hit body-resonating notes that provide the perfect platform for his lyrics to ring out over. Tickets
Kelley McRae // Bluebird Café // April 10
McRae’s quiet storytelling is fed by a vocal tone that blazes an arrow path straight to the heart with its honesty, making her a perfect match with the legendary Bluebird for an evening marking the release of her newest album, The Wayside, out April 7. Tickets
We’re All for the Hall featuring Keith Urban and Vince Gill // Bridgestone Arena // April 12
Celebrating the sixth year of this star-studded benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, hosts Keith Urban and Vince Gill cover a range to bring together a seriously packed night with guests including Jason Isbell, Emmylou Harris, Peter Frampton, and Florida Georgia Line. Tickets
Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals // Ryman Auditorium // April 22
Reuniting yet again, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals funk up the Ryman with their soulful reggae-blues-rock hybrid sound promoting their new album, Call It What It Is. Tickets
Fireball Mail // Station Inn // April 30
The four members of Fireball Mail are deeply rooted in the bluegrass tradition (and have appeared with legendary names to prove it) honing in on accelerating harmonies and improvisation. Tickets
Pokey LaFarge (with the Cactus Blossoms) // Music Hall of Williamsburg // April 3
Prepare for an incredible evening filled with music that appears to have time traveled — LaFarge and his impressive band bring lively ragtime country to the stage after an Everly Brothers-esque opening act from the Cactus Blossoms. Tickets
Brooklyn Folk Festival // St. Ann’s Church // April 8-10
Filled with musical performances (Spirit Family Reunion, Feral Foster, the Downhill Strugglers, Roy Williams, and many, many more), workshops, film screenings, dancing, and an iconic banjo toss — there’s a whole lot to enjoy in the eighth year of this festival. Tickets
BGS Presents Sierra Hull // McKittrick Hotel // April 19
Hull is a young master of the mandolin benefitting from the best of bluegrass as her mentors and producers (that would be Alison Krauss and BĂ©la Fleck). Catch her at this unique venue, the Heath, at the spooky speakeasy-esque McKittrick Hotel. Tickets
Julien Baker // Bowery Ballroom // April 27
Baker’s Memphis-born talent is making loads of waves with her debut, Sprained Ankle, showcasing her alarmingly heart-wrenching songwriting and stripped-bare sound. Tickets
Parker Millsap // Bowery Ballroom // April 29
Millsap has a voice that just as easily belts and growls as it does sail on a high, clear note trailing off into a soft vibrato. Pick up Millsap’s new album, The Very Last Day, and don’t miss his utterly electrifying performance. Tickets
