Local Spins has the scoop on weekend music festival action in Trufant and Charlotte, with a photo gallery from Darius Rucker’s Acrisure Amphitheater debut.
Dynamic Pairing: Billy Strings with Del McCoury on stage Friday night. (Photo/Steve Baran)
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERIES, RECAP OF SMILING ACRES DAY 1
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It was a poorly kept secret to be sure.
After revving up the cozy Charlotte Bluegrass Festival with his band in 2025, guitarist Billy Strings was rumored to return as a “surprise” guest this year, considering he’s pals with 2026 headliners in the Del McCoury Band and Travelin’ McCourys — and it’s just a hop, skip and a jump from his hometown.
Billy Time: Travelin’ McCourys on Friday. (Photo/Katie Kirchner)
And sure enough on Friday — during the venerable event’s second day — there was the superstar picker on stage with the Travelin’ McCourys and then the iconic Del McCoury, delighting fans at Eaton County Fairgrounds by singing and jamming at the festival where he first honed his bluegrass chops as a young lad.
Fiddler Christian Ward — who co-wrote Billy Strings’ “Red Daisy” with Jarrod Walker — was part of Friday’s all-star lineup, with the packed audience of fans cheering enthusiastically and capturing parts of the performances on their cellphones.
Billy Strings, who’s recovering from a broken leg suffered in a skateboarding accident, has heartily embraced his home state with memorable concerts and guest appearances as of late, sitting in earlier this year with Sam Bush at St. Cecilia Music Center and Trey Anastasio at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
In late August, he’ll host the first ever Ionia Freak Fair at the Ionia County Fairgrounds, not far from where he grew up. In addition to Greensky Bluegrass, Leftover Salmon, Full Cord and other top-shelf bluegrass artists, the full Aug. 28-29 lineup will also include metal bands such as Crytopsy, For the Fallen Dreams, Flesh & Blood Robot, Heartsick and See You Next Tuesday.
The 54th Charlotte Bluegrass Festival wraps up today (Saturday) with performances by the Amanda Cook Band, Gavin Conley and more. View the full schedule and festival guide at Local Spins here.
VIDEO: Billy Strings at Charlotte Bluegrass Festival
PHOTO GALLERY: Billy Strings, Travelin’ McCourys, Del McCoury Band
Charlotte Bluegrass Festival 2026
Photos by Steve Baran
SMILING ACRES MUSIC FESTIVAL ROLLS OUT, ROLLS ON
Friday Headliner: The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
As festival attendee Kalli Dempsey aptly put it: “Beautiful weather, beautiful energy, beautiful people.”
Smiling Acres Music Festival in Trufant started off in chill and comfortable fashion as folks started filling the camping spaces on Friday, and it didn’t take long for the musical happiness to being.
Clouds and cooler temps made for a nice reprieve compared to last year’s heat. Be it the weather, the weekend, or other factors, but the festival seemed much busier early on.
Excitement in the crowd grew as the bands performed, with a lot of hype for West Michigan Americana favorite Roosevelt Diggs, and by the time The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band played its headlining set, the dance space in front of the stage was full.
The night tapered down with a vibration of excitement for the remainder of the weekend, with headlining sets by Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers and Jerron Paxton. View the full weekend schedule and preview at Local Spins here. – By Chelsea Whitaker
PHOTO GALLERY: Smiling Acres Music Festival 2026 (Day 1)
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker
DARIUS RUCKER AT ACRISURE AMPHITHEATER
Country star Darius Rucker made his Acrisure Amphitheater debut in Grand Rapids on Thursday, delivering a 27-song set filled with his own music and some classic covers, including three Hootie & The Blowfish favorites: “Only Wanna Be With You,” “Let Her Cry” and “Hold My Hand.”
The crooner kicked off the night with 2008’s “All I Want” and closed the show with Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel.” In between, there were also renditions of The Zutons’ “Valerie,” The Wings’ “Band on the Run,” and Hank Williams Jr.’s “Family Tradition” performed with Austin Williams. View the full set list here.
Rucker brings his tour to Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston tonight (Saturday). Tickets online here.
PHOTO GALLERY: Darius Rucker at Acrisure Amphitheater
Photos by Derek Ketchum
