Hillberry 2024 once again proved why it’s a favorite for music lovers, offering a diverse blend of bluegrass, funk, country, and more in the hills of Arkansas.
Kicking off on Thursday with sets by Fruition, The Infamous Stringdusters, and Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, the first evening of the fest was highlighted by Dirtfoot, an eight-person ensemble combining cajun dirt rock and ska-jazz with bouts of Southern polka, resulting in a sonic amalgamation completely unique to them. Prior to the band’s set, Dirtfoot passed out bean cans to the audience, encouraging everyone to drum along with them. Adding a playful twist for the night owls, one of these cans had a foot drawn on it and whoever found it won a prize.
Friday began bright and early with yoga, preparing for an abnormally blistering hot October day with a high of 90 degrees. The day started with Brady Cagle’s funky grooves on the Shrine stage, where a massive board stood for people to leave trinkets or write their hopes and dreams.
Danny Spain, a.k.a. Banjo Dan, and his Gang played original bluegrass with a modern spin. Korey McKelvy’s funky and bold sound finished the day’s lineup on the Shrine stage with covers of “Big Ol Jet Airliner” and “Love the One You’re With”.
Friday afternoon’s Main Stage lineup began with Grammy-winning honky-tonk bluegrass fiddler Michael Cleveland. Moments before he went on stage Cleveland dropped a new single, “Bluegrass in the Backwoods”, with Jason Carter and was able to celebrate with the band.
After a brief intermission, The Sam Grisman Project gave attendees a throwback to Jerry Garcia’s energy by paying homage with beautiful versions of “Deal” and “Ripple” with a bluegrass twist.
Then, blasting the festival into the evening, Paul Cauthen’s larger-than-life, rowdy country-western opening song aligned perfectly with the picturesque sunset and forest backdrop behind the stage. Cauthen shared a new song, “Speaking In Cursive”, about his cousin who struggles with severe mental health issues and encouraged anyone to reach out, reminding everyone that even strangers care about us.
One of the highlights of Hillberry 2024 was that there wasn’t just one headliner. Cauthen’s all-killer, no-filler setlist led right into Split Lip Rayfield. The high-energy alt bluegrass band shared stories of the original gas tank bass and how it came from a ‘78 Monte Carlo—providing insight into the group’s famous folk-punk ingenuity.
Diving from bluegrass punk to New Orleans funk was the perfect transition as the clock struck midnight. Dumpstaphunk brought the essence of NOLA to Hillberry with deep grooves of rock, soul, and R&B highlighting the pride of Louisiana, and Armchair Boogie kept the party going with a 2:00 a.m. late-night set.
Saturday kicked off with Hillberry’s beloved Chompdown, where everyone gets breakfast by contributing one item to share. The Patti Steel Band provided the morning soundtrack with an eclectic mix of folk, blues, jazz, and Americana. Patti Steel’s versatility shone through as she played the clarinet, guitar, mandolin, and washboard, all while delivering beautiful vocals that made for the perfect wake-up music.
Next, the Shrine Stage hosted Dominic B. Roy’s hauntingly beautiful gothic bluegrass. His voice reverberated deeply, showcasing his vocal flair, and the band kicked it up right at high noon into traditional knee-slapping bluegrass.
During the day, some attendees took the FestiCab to explore the lake, where they could enjoy family-friendly activities including volleyball, kayaking, boating, swimming, and relaxing—an ideal escape for an unseasonably warm 93-degree October day.
Those remaining on the farm witnessed Wyatt Ellis slaying the mandolin. His inclusion in the Hillberry 2024 lineup was a nod to his remarkable skill and musicianship. His fast-paced playing, intricate melodies, and expressive playing style were perfect for afternoon pickin.
Lindsay Lou started the evening off with soulful, smooth, folky roots. Originally from Michigan, she has built a reputation for herself as a key figure in the progressive bluegrass scene. Her heartfelt and emotive lyrics set a warm, welcoming vibe for the evening.
Immediately following Lindsay Lou, a popup hotdog hoedown at Camp Blue Light kicked into high gear. The campsite cooked 500 hotdogs with every side you could think of while pickin n grinnin in line. All were welcome to dance, eat, help, or just relax. It embodied the spirit of Hillberry in that there was no expectation other than pure community and joy.
Arkansauce, donned in themed prom attire, made their set incredibly intimate. They said Hillberry is their favorite place to play, told stories about how their songs were written (including one in particular about being dosed at Hillberry), had guest stars from Red Oak Ruse, teased several songs including “Paint It, Black”, and played their favorites for a delighted crowd.
Railroad Earth, the hosts the festival, gave congratulations to the couple who was married on site earlier in the day in a private ceremony before blasting into their four-hour headlining performance. Their two sets included improv jams, lyrical storytelling, and an adventurous approach to traditional bluegrass.
Railroad Earth was followed by a late-night set by Devon Allman, who recently shared his first solo album in right years, Miami Moon, and an even later late-night set by Red Oak Ruse.
The fest wrapped up on Sunday with another day of unforgettable music. After being discharged from the hospital and performing one song on Saturday night to ensure she has never missed a Hillberry, Opal Agafia returned for a full set, bringing her signature blend of Ozark roots and soul to an enthusiastic crowd. Jerry Douglas Band followed with their virtuosic mix of bluegrass and country, led by Douglas’s masterful dobro playing.
Elephant Revival’s ethereal folk brought a touch of magic to the afternoon, while festival hosts Railroad Earth returned for one last set of improvisational jams and storytelling. Eggy closed things out with their groove-driven sound, followed by one last late-night performance by Blurred Name starting at 2:00 a.m.
With so many talented artists sharing the stage, Hillberry 2024 ended on a high note, solidifying its place as one of the most cherished festivals of the year.
Click below to check out photos from Hillberry 2024.
