Philly Bluegrass Top 10: Winter 2022

‘Tis the season for giving!

While the gift we bluegrass fans most hoped for, normality, remains elusive, there is nonetheless no shortage of standout bluegrass and roots music acts visiting the Philadelphia area this winter.

Speaking of gifts, if you are searching for something to get the music lover in your life, you could do worse than tickets to one or more of these great shows. And all of these artists have new music out (or forthcoming) on vinyl, CD, and/or streaming. Below are links to each artist’s website, where you will be certain to find that special gift.

Anyway, we’re all busy wrapping, so let’s get right to the Philly Bluegrass top 10 for Winter 2022!

Remember to check venue websites prior to attendance for any Covid-related schedule changes or safety requirements. Stay safe out there and have fun!


December 18: Andrew Marlin at City Winery Philly

Andrew Marlin put out no fewer than three albums during the pandemic, and performed on others, including the one belonging to Christian Sedelmyer, who joins Marlin at City Winery Philly. Visit Andrew Marlin’s merch store for copies of Fable & Fire and Witching Hour.


December 18: Mipso at Milkboy Philly

Mipso’s newest record, a self-titled affair, is out now on Rounder Records. You can pick up a physical copy at the show at Milkboy Philly, the second in a two-night stand, or on Mipso’s website.


POSTPONED TO MARCH 20: Railroad Earth at Brooklyn Bowl Philly

Railroad Earth’s winter tour is its first in almost two years. Fill your stocking with band’s recorded catalog at their website, where you can also find tickets to the show at Brooklyn Bowl, plus live downloads and CDs via Nugs.net.


January 8: Rhonda Vincent & The Rage at Sellersville Theater

Rhonda Vincent’s newest album Music Is What I See, out this May on the Upper Management label, would make a great gift for the traditional bluegrass fan in your family. So would tickets to see Ms. Vincent and her band at Sellersville Theater.


January 21: Greensky Bluegrass with The Infamous Stringdusters at The Met Philly

You can pre-order the new record from Greensky Bluegrass, Stress Dreams, at the the band’s website, or pick up a copy at The Met Philly, where the band gives its release-day performance on January 21. They will be joined by 2022 Grammy nominees The Infamous Stringdusters, who have yet another album coming out February.


January 28: Lost Dog Street Band at Underground Arts [SOLD OUT]

Speaking of elusive, the word is an apt description of tickets to see Lost Dog Street Band at Underground Arts. Though the show is sold out, you can pre-order the new album Glory at the band’s website.


February 17: Gangstagrass at Brooklyn Bowl Philly

This February the 2021 America’s Got Talent quarter finalists will help christen the stage at the recently-opened Brooklyn Bowl Philly. You can score tickets and pick up a vinyl or CD copy of the band’s latest album, No Time for Enemies, at the band’s website.


February 24: Punch Brothers at The Fillmore Philadelphia

The Punch Brothers’ newest album is a tribute to the late Tony Rice, and was recorded shortly before the great guitarist’s passing on Christmas Day 2020. Hell on Church Street is available for pre-order and pre-save at punchbrothers.com, as are tickets to the just-announced show at The Fillmore Philadelphia.


March 4: Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives at the Colonial Theatre

To celebrate the album’s 20th anniversary, Marty Stuart has released a re-issue of The Pilgrim. In addition to being the first-ever vinyl pressing of the record, the re-issue includes previously unreleased tracks. You can grab a copy and tickets to the Colonial Theatre at the Marty Stuart website and store.


March 11: The Arcadian Wild at City Winery

Nashville’s The Arcardian Wild’s latest record, Covered: Beneath Another Sky, is out now and available on their website, where you can also score tickets to their March performance at City Winery Philly.

10 Must-See Shows for Fall 2021

Welcome to fall, y’all. If you participated in the 2021 Bluegrass Passport Sweepstakes you know this season brings a stacked lineup of bluegrass and roots shows to the Philly area. Congratulations to the winner, Austin Papp, who won a pair of tickets to eight shows this fall. And a big thanks to all who took part!

But the fun isn’t over. Even for non-Passport holders, opportunities abound to grab tickets to the best bluegrass and roots acts coming to our area this fall. Here are 10 shows we think you won’t want to miss. And, as always, there’s much more on the Philly Bluegrass Calendar.

Please remember to check venue websites prior to attendance for any Covid-related schedule changes or safety requirements. Stay safe out there and have fun!


September 24: Sarah Jarosz at Ardmore Music Hall

In March, Sarah Jarosz won the Grammy Award for Best Americana Album for World on the Ground. Just two months later, she released her latest effort, Blue Heron Suite, on Rounder Records. The new project features Jeff Picker on bass and Jefferson Hamer on guitar and harmony vocals. It was a commission by the FreshGrass Foundation. Tickets $25-$60.


October 5: The Brothers Comatose at MilkBoy Philly

San Francisco-based The Brothers Comatose is Ben Morrison (guitar) and Alex Morrison (banjo), Scott Padden (bass), Philip Brezina (violin), and Greg Fleischut (mandolin). Over the summer, the band released a few singles from its yet-to-be-released fifth studio album, When It All Falls Apart, due out in early 2022 on Swamp Jam Records. Tickets $15.


October 23: Willie Watson at City Winery Philly

Willie Watson, a founding member of Old Crow Medicine Show, recently reunited with his old band for his first live appearance with them in more than a decade. He has also kept busy with Willie Watson MFG Co, where he produces 100% handmade vintage-inspired clothing. Not to mention his solo performances of folk tunes on the guitar and banjo, which remain a must-see. Tickets $22-$30.


Oct 27: Kitchen Dwellers at World Cafe Live

Montana-based road warriors Kitchen Dwellers are instantly recognizable, not just by banjoist Torrin Daniels’ dreadlocks, but also by the large following they draw. The band self-released Live at Pine Creek in April. It was recorded live during the pandemic at Pine Creek Lodge in Paradise, MT. Tickets $12.


November 5: Yonder Mountain String Band at Ardmore Music Hall

At it since 1998, Yonder Mountain String Band will release its ninth studio album later this year. The new record will showcase the band’s latest lineup, comprising founding members Adam Aijala on guitar, Ben Kaufmann on bass, and Dave Johnston on banjo, as well as Allie Kral on fiddle and newcomer multi-instrumentalist Nick Piccininni. Tickets $29.


November 6: Steep Canyon Rangers at Sellersville Theater

Much more than Steve Martin’s backing band, North Carolina-based Steep Canyon Rangers are Grammy- and IBMA-winning recording artists in their own right. The band’s latest album, Arm in Arm, was released in October 2020 on Yep Roc. More recently, in August the band dropped a new single “Nothing Matters (When You’re Mine).” Tickets $50-$75.


November 10-11: Billy Strings at Fillmore Philly

The IBMA’s Guitar Player of the Year for 2019, and a nominee for the 2021 honors, Billy Strings now has a Grammy to his name after a March 2021 win for Best Bluegrass Album. A new album, Renewal, is out September 24 on Rounder Records. Billy Strings visits Philly this November 10-11 for a two-night stand at The Fillmore Philly. Tickets $40.


Nov. 17: Darrell Scott at Sellersville Theater

If you missed Darrell Scott at City Winery Philly in July, you get a second chance this November when Mr. Scott returns to the area via the intimate Sellersville Theater. Tennessee-based Scott is a four-time Grammy nominee and one of the most heralded songwriters in Americana music today. Tickets $25-40.


November 18: Del McCoury Band at Ardmore Music Hall

After 58 years in the game, Del McCoury continues to set the standard for the bluegrass genre. Many in the area were no doubt looking forward to seeing Mr. McCoury perform with his band at his family’s Cumberland, MD festival, which fell victim for a second year to the Covid pandemic. Thankfully there is another chance to see the legend when he and his band visits Ardmore Music Hall in November. Tickets $36.


November 26: Cabinet at Ardmore Music Hall

Pennsylvania’s very own Cabinet is coming off of what was probably their busiest summer since they announced a hiatus in 2017. The band brings their “psychedelic roots/rock, folk/grass” to Ardmore Music Hall for a late November show in what seems to be becoming something of a Philly Thanksgiving tradition. And that ain’t a bad thing! Tickets $25.