Railbird Festival returns to The Infield at Red Mile in Lexington next weekend. It’s live country music done the Kentucky way, from bluegrass to bourbon and honky-tonk to historic scenes.
On the grounds of an iconic harness racing track, the C3 Presents music festival gets its name from horse-racing enthusiasts who watch from the rails as a means to stick close to the action. But whether you’re a fan at the barricade or a casual stage hopper, you’ll find action in every corner of Railbird.
Over 30 acts are set to perform across three stages, filling the day with nonstop jams. Headliners include Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman, and Shaboozey on Saturday; Jelly Roll, Riley Green, and The Red Clay Strays on Sunday; and an overall stacked lineup of world-class artists.
Off to the races with no game plan just yet? Here are some names to know, so you can be on the fast track to building a perfect Railbird schedule.
5 Artists to Discover at Railbird Festival 2025
Sierra Hull: Saturday, May 31 at the Elkhorn Stage at 2:30pm
Fresh off the release of her sixth album, A Tip Toe High Wire,
Fresh off the release of her sixth album, A Tip Toe High Wire, Sierra Hull has a beautiful catalog of country-folk songs to deliver. She’s also a six-time recipient of IBMA’s Mandolin Player of the Year, but her skills speak for themselves when she’s onstage. She lets her chops take the lead on popular songs, like “Bombshell,” while newer material like “Boom” and “Muddy Water” mix vocals and strings for wonderfully poignant storytelling. Along with Railbird, Hull is set to perform at several summer festivals before heading out on her own headlining tour come July.
Wyatt Flores: Saturday, May 31 at the Limestone Stage at 3:15pm
Wyatt Flores has a voice to remember, his rasp and raw tone true to every emotion sung. Songs like “Losing Sleep” and “Milwaukee” are nostalgic of country summers, perfect for a Railbird afternoon. The Oklahoma native also does a stellar cover of The Fray’s “How To Save a Life.” You can definitely expect to hear more from Flores, whether he’s winning new fans over with his TikTok covers or as he heads out on tour with Post Malone and Railbird headliner Jelly Roll.
Maggie Antone: Saturday, May 31 at the Burl Stage at 4:00pm
Maggie Antone’s 2024 album, Rhinestoned, is a solid representation of the Richmond artist. Her playful twang on tracks like “Johnny Moonshine” and “Mess With Texas” tell colorful stories rooted in classic country motifs. Meanwhile, the likes of “Everyone But You,” “Suburban Outlaw,” and “Me & Jose Cuervo” enter acoustic-folk territory, putting more vulnerable songwriting front and center. Antone’s personality and creativity shine through in her music no matter the emotion, and while she’s still considered a fresh face in the country music scene, she has an aura that’s distinctly hers.
Chaparelle: Sunday, June 1 at the Elkhorn Stage at 1:15pm
If old Western noir got a modern-day soundtrack, Chaparelle is picture-perfect for the part. The trio is a supergroup consisting of Texan musicians Zella Day and Jesse Woods taking turns on vox and Beau Bedford on guitar and production. But rather than sticking to their usual indie-adjacent genres, Day, Woods, and Bedford find harmony in country crooning. Songs like “Inside the Lines” and “Playing Diamonds Cashing Checks” are effortlessly cool and reminisce a 1960s, golden-age sound. The trio even does a swinging cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).”
Thee Sacred Souls: Sunday, June 1 at the Elkhorn Stage at 4:15pm
Dubbed “Sweet Southern California soul,” Thee Sacred Souls know a thing or two about the art of an old-fashioned love song. Tender lyrics, divine vocals, smooth basslines, and high-vibrational rhythms are the recipe for their rich, 60s-inspired serenades, like “Will I See You Again?” and “Easier Said Than Done.” You might also recognize their viral hit “Can I Call You Rose?”, which became the soundtrack of all things chill and classy. And that smooth romancing is precisely what Thee Sacred Souls personify, even with their latest single “We Don’t Have to Be Alone.” Romance is alive and well with any Thee Sacred Souls set, and after Railbird, you can catch them on tour with Kali Uchis this summer.
Above story written by Chloe Catajan.
Make sure to check back at Full Access Detroit for Steve Galli’s full coverage of Railbird Festival 2025.
Learn more about the festival at https://www.railbirdfest.com/.
To see photos AND extensive coverage from the 2024 Railbird Festival, click here :
https://www.facebook.com/fullaccessdetroit
