Jason Isbell Brings Shoalsfest Back for 2025 featuring Browne, Waxahatchee
After taking the last two years off, the Jason Isbell curated Shoalsfest is back with a bigger name lineup of artists than ever. Shoalsfest, taking place October 11-12 at McFarland Park in Florence, Alabama, values quality over quantity. With only one stage and a handful of artists per day, each artist gets a full set rather than the 30-45 minutes usually seen in a festival environment. So, who is on tap for Shoalsfest 2025? Let's take a look at some of the highlights.
Saturday, October 11
Jackson Browne
Isbell swung for the fences for his Saturday night headliner, snagging multi-time Grammy nominee and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jackson Browne. Browne, best known for hits like “Doctor, My Eyes” and “Running on Empty,” has a whopping 60-year career to pull from for this set.
Jason Isbell, Patterson Hood, and Chris Tompkins in the Round
Co-headlining the night is a one-off collaboration between Isbell, Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood, and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Chris Tompkins. With the recent release of Isbell's solo acoustic album and all three men's close ties to the Muscle Shoals area and each other, the “in the round” style should fit them perfectly.
Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham
Talk about Muscle Shoals royalty, you would be hard-pressed to find any more renowned than Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham. Both worked together in Muscle Shoals' storied FAME studios and wrote, produced, and recorded alongside the likes of Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, and The Box Tops. Oldham is also a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.
Sunday, October 12
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit
It wouldn't be a Jason Isbell curated festival if he didn't bring his rock and roll show along for the ride alongside his stellar band, The 400 Unit. Having seen Isbell many times, he always delivers the heat. I haven't gotten to hear the full band versions of songs from his solo acoustic album Foxes in the Snow yet, but I've heard they translate well.
Waxahatchee
If there's a critic somewhere to acclaim, they've probably at some point in their careers raved about Katie Crutchfield and her project, Waxahatchee. Her six indie folk albums have been lauded by the likes of NPR, Pitchfork, and No Depression, and she has been nominated for a Grammy Award. Waxahatchee is another artist I've gotten to see live and can't recommend enough.
Steve Trash
Shoalsfest has always committed itself to being a family-friendly event and always programs something for the kids to enjoy. This year, performing both Saturday and Sunday, will be magician and environmental educator Steve Trash. His eco-magic shows are as entertaining as they are educational and have garnered Trash an award as Environmental Educator of the Year. Come to the fest early. You won't want to miss this one.
If it’s Americana or Southern rock you’re looking for, you won’t find any better festival for it than Shoalsfest, taking place October 11-12, 2025, at McFarland Park in Florence, AL.
Tickets for Shoalsfest 2025 are $125 for General Admission tickets and $499.50 for VIP. You can get tickets and see all the bands performing at Shoalsfest here.