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The Moab Folk Festival celebrates 21 years on November 3-5, 2023. Set in the stunning red rock canyon country of southeastern Utah, this intimate festival presents an outstanding lineup of singer-songwriters, Americana, roots, and bluegrass music. The Festival will take place at our outdoor venue, the Moab City Ballpark and indoors at Star Hall.
The Festival begins with a special fundraising concert on Friday, November 3rd from 7-9pm at historic Star Hall. Proceeds will go to support the Festival’s Education and Community Outreach program. John Gorka, a world-renowned singer-songwriter with 11 critically acclaimed albums and several compilations is known for his creative use of lyrics and attention to detail. Gorka played the very first Festival in 2003, 21 years ago. Singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and multi Grammy award winner Tim O’Brien and Jan Fabricius will be performing as a duet. They bring an intimate and warm acoustic music roots repertoire that’s simultaneously original and traditional. Tim and Jan will perform again on the ballpark mainstage on Saturday at 3pm.
Eight performances will take place between Saturday, November 4th and Sunday November 5th on the Moab City Ballpark mainstage. We are delighted to announce The Milk Carton Kids are joining the Saturday lineup for 2023. This three-time Grammy nominated duo features two voices blended together in spellbinding harmony, accompanied by subtly perfect acoustic instrumentation and just the right amount of humor. Toronto native Abigail Lappell opens the ballpark show on Saturday. Abigail’s haunting voice and songwriting will stop you in your tracks. Also on Saturday, Bella White, 22 year old Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist will share the duality at the heart of her artistry classic country and old-time music she first discovered thanks to her father, a Virginia native who played in bluegrass bands all throughout her childhood. Saturday night from 6 to 8 pm a free community concert will take place at Star Hall featuring Abigail Lapell and Pete Sands & the Drifters. Pete Sands is a Navajo singer-songwriter, musician, filmmaker, puppeteer, activist, and actor. The Drifters play a fusion of country, Americana, and alt-country. On Sunday, we are welcoming back Kyshona for the 2023 Moab Folk Festival as our 2022 People’s Choice Artist! With a background as a licensed music therapist, the curiosity of a writer, the resolve of an activist, and the voice of a singer – Kyshona is unrelenting in her pursuit for the healing power of song. Two Runner is a rising modern folk duo hailing from Northern California. Their colorful vocal harmonies make way for pure musicianship on clawhammer banjo, flatpicking guitar, and oldtime fiddle. Twisted Pine, from Boston, are a boundary jumping string band. Fearless improvisation, intricate arrangements, and the addition of a flute make their bluegrass jazzy, indie and funky. Closing out Sunday, we are excited to present Mighty Poplar, a new all-star roots project featuring some of the finest players of their generation Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange), Noam Pikelny and Chris Eldridge of Punch Brothers, and Greg Garrison of Leftover Salmon. This Nashville based acoustic group balances a fluency in old-timey bluegrass and indie jamgrass sensibilities with an emphasis on strong instrumental work.
In addition to the ten performances spanning three days, the Moab Folk Festival offers several free public workshops on Saturday and Sunday of the event and one evening free concert. The event wears its homegrown identity with pride as it welcomes folks from across the country to enjoy music and create a spontaneous community in the heart of red rock country. For more information: www.moabfolkfestival.com or 435-260-1756. Tickets range from $65 to $375, not including discounts for kids and locals. If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please contact us at
info@moabfolkfestival.com
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