COLUMBIA - A new music festival is taking flight in downtown Columbia. The inaugural Songbird 26 will debut Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31, at Finlay Park, bringing a two-day lineup of nationally touring artists, regional favorites and local acts across two stages. Songbird 26 is presented in part by the City of Columbia.
Headlined by Old Crow Medicine Show and Sam Bush, Songbird centers on a weekend rooted in songwriting, string bands and the kind of live music that thrives outdoors. The lineup blends some of the biggest names in bluegrass and Americana with acts including The Creekers, The Infamous Stringdusters, Shadowgrass, Futurebirds, Susto String Band, The Blue Dogs, Sam Burchfield and more.
Programming begins each day at 11 a.m. across the park’s main stage and a Greenway stage, with continuous music leading into nightly headlining performances. In total, 18 artists will perform during the two-day event.
The festival weekend will kick off Friday evening with a free concert as part of the Finlay Fridays series featuring The Water Kickers, offering an early start and an open invitation for the community to experience the park ahead of the full festival.
Saturday’s lineup includes Ashley Wright & the Vance Gap Ramblers, The Runout, The Donovan Twins, Susto String Band, Sam Burchfield, The Creekers and more, leading into sets by The Infamous Stringdusters and headliner Old Crow Medicine Show.
Sunday’s lineup features Podunk Ramblers, Tounds, Ben Chapman, Blue Dogs, The B. Wrights — featuring Mark Bryan and Jim “Soni” Sonefeld of Hootie & the Blowfish — Shadowgrass and Futurebirds, before closing with headliner Sam Bush.
Tickets are on sale now, with one- and two-day general admission and VIP options available.
Special ticket sales events will be held at Finlay Park offering discounted tickets for military members, first responders, college and university students, and children ages 5 to 12. Dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
VIP tickets include:
- Access to an exclusive viewing area at each stage
- Entry to the VIP lounge at The Nest with shaded seating
- Food catered by Home Team BBQ
- Exclusive drink options available for purchase
- A festival memento