It’s small, but it’s mighty, and it’s become one of the most sought-after festival experiences in the United Statesso much so that it sold out even before the lineup was announced. It’s the Laurel Cove Music Festival.
It’s small, but it’s mighty, and it’s become one of the most sought-after festival experiences in the United States—so much so that it sold out even before the lineup was announced. It’s the Laurel Cove Music Festival in Pineville, Kentucky, and once again the 2026 lineup features and impressive list of established and discoverable talent. Leading the charge June 11th thru 13th will be singer, songwriter, and black flip artist Evan Honer, recently major-label-singed band The Creekers, and surging country soul singer Kashus Culpepper. S.G. Goodman, Cole Chaney, Shadowgrass, John. R. Miller, Laid Back Country Picker, and Emily Jamerson help round out the lineup that puts an emphasis on supporting regional talent with national impact. Other 2026 artists include The Wilder Blue and The Lowdown Drifters from Texas, and up-and-comers Leon Majcen, Colton Bowlin, and Jordan Lee King. Saving Country Music perennial runner-up-of-the year Joe Stamm Band will also be in attendance, along with Harper O’Neill, Justin Clyde Williams from North Carolina, and Ritch Henderson from Alabama among others. Started in 2019 by Main Street Pineville, Bell County Tourism, and the Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Laurel Cove has quickly become one of the most coveted festival tickets in the country. Primary performances transpire on the Laurel Cove Amphitheater, which only seats around 1,400.
Appearing like something taken from a scene of a J.R.R. Tolkien novel, the natural amphitheater fitted with seats and stones for sitting looks over a quaint stage, with a lagoon-like water feature in the front. Lichens and moss adorn everything, and in every nook and around every corner is a magical little spot to commune with nature.Also of note, a documentary film about the festival is currently in production. Called Where The Mountains Sing, the film will be shot throughout 2026, with a release in late 2026 via PBS and Amazon Prime video. The film will follow three narrative arcs—the small but intrepid team of organizers, the artists, and the fans—all converging in Pineville for a transformative weekend of connection, creativity, and communion with music, memories, and the mountains themselves. The film hopes to “blend cinematic festival performances, artist-eye perspectives, handheld vérité storytelling, user-generated footage, and soundscapes that elevate the Appalachian landscape as a living character.”
Laurel Cove is where music careers are launched and supported, and where music and memories spread out from rural Kentucky to infuse America with genuine Appalachian soul. You can read Saving Country Music’s recap of the 2025 Laurel Cove Music Festival for more details. For further information, visit laurelcovemusicfestival.com.
Cole Chaney, Colton Bowlin, Emily Jamerson, Harper O’Neill, Joe Stamm Band, John R. Miller, Jordan Lee King, Justin Clyde Williams, Kashus Culpepper, Laid Back Country Picker, Laurel Cove Music Festival, Leon Majcen, Ritch Henderson, S.G. Goodman, Shadowgrass, The Creekers, The Lowdown Drifters, The Wilder Blue
Pine Mountain and the state park lodge are terrific. Nearby is Cumberland Gap national historic park. It’s a fabulous setting for a small music fest, welcome all to Eastern Kentucky
Looks like a cool venue, been on my list of places to get to ever since you did a write-up on it a little while back. I was really hoping to see Ian Noes name on the lineup.Maybe they’ll add him later. I know that’s where he was from originally , Don’t see any tour dates for him right now man.I wish he ‘d get some dates on his schedule
Sadly about the only income this community will see. Well if you don’t count all the m3th cookers and d3alers
Moronic comment. If you can’t support the community, then shut up. Laurel Cove has gone above and beyond to bring a positive narrative to Bell County. We don’t need this shit dragging us down from losers who only want to focus on the negative.
Jon and the crew do a great job planning and booking some of the best up and comers out there. great venue as well .
Source: savingcountrymusic.com