MerleFest 2019 is officially in the books. The quintessential bluegrass, roots, and Americana festival — named for Doc Watson’s son, Merle — drew more than 75,000 attendees from around the world to the grounds of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The four-day event celebrated NC’s “Year of Music” with over 100 bands from all across the state, the country, and the world.
On Saturday night, BGS once again presented the ever-popular Late Night Jam, hosted by Chatham County Line, which featured performances from many of MerleFest’s stellar acts including Ellis Dyson, Jim Avett, Scythian, Molly Tuttle, Shane Hennessy, Donna the Buffalo, Jontavious Willis, Jim Lauderdale, Catfish Keith, Presley Barker, Ana Egge, the Brother Brothers, Steve Poltz, and many more friends and special guests.
Check out MerleFest 2019 in photographs and make plans to join us next year!
Del McCoury Band takes the Hillside Stage
Photo by Michael Freas
Amos Lee
Photo by Willa Stein
Singer/songwriter Ana Egge
Photo by Devin Ulery
Andrew Millsaps performs as part of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest
Photo by Ryan Case
The Avett Brothers sing it out
Photo by Michael Freas
An absolutely jam-packed Hillside Stage for the ever-popular Album Hour - Led Zeppelin IV.
Photo by Gordon Burns
Elizabeth Cook
Photo by Jeff Clements
Brandi Carlile greets the Saturday night crowd
Photo by Michael Freas
Dailey & Vincent
Photo by Jim Gavenus
Eric Gibson of the Gibson Brothers
Photo by Michael Freas
The rowdy and rollicking dance tent
Photo by Suzie Guerrant
A breezy Jim Lauderdale
Photo by Michael Freas
Chatham County Line, our Late Night Jam hosts, kicking off the evening.
Photo by Michael Freas
In a perfectly MerleFest moment, Brandi Carlile and the Avett Brothers altogether
Photo by Willa Stein
Clogging feet are happy feet
Photo by Michael Freas
It's Keb' Mo' on the Watson Stage
Photo by Ryan Case
Jontavious Willis leads a blues jam at the BGS-presented Late Night Jam
Photo by Michael Freas
Molly Tuttle on the mainstage
Photo by Jeff Clements
A whole slew of fiddles
Photo by Randall Dameron
Crowd-favorite Scythian brought their signature energy and drive, as always
Photo by Jim Gavenus
Brandi Carlile
Photo by Michael Freas
Two extraordinary guitarists, Presley Barker and Molly Tuttle, swapped licks at the Late Night Jam
Photo by Michael Freas
Sam Bush Band
Photo by Michael Freas
The furry, friendly MerleFest mascot, Flattop
Photo by Michael Freas
Members of Scythian are joined by Shane Hennessy and others at the Late Night Jam
Photo by Michael Freas
Michaela Anne
Photo by Misty Case
Peter Rowan in his element
Photo by Misty Case
Scott Avett gettin' down
Photo by Willa Stein
Jim Lauderdale, Chatham County Line, and the Brother Brothers collab during the Late Night Jam
Photo by Willa Stein
The heritage crafts tent showcased expert artisans, their trades, and their wares
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