Hiroya Tsukamoto
Experience the spellbinding artistry of Hiroya Tsukamoto / a master of fingerstyle guitar and evocative storytelling that transcends cultural boundaries. Praised by Acoustic Guitar Magazine for his “delicate, fluid, and beautifully details” style, Hiroya’s music weaves intricate melodies with poetic narratives, creating an unforgettable, soul-stirring performance. Bio: Hiroya Tsukamoto is a Japanese-born fingerstyle guitarist who moved to the United States in 2000 to attend the Berklee College of Music. Needless to say, he’s not only a dizzyingly agile fingerpicker, but a soulful and transcendent performer, with compositions that combine instrumental guitar work with lyrical performance and spoken stories from his life. Tsukamoto has been recognized for his talents on stages such as at Blue Note in New York City, NHK Television, International Storytelling Center and United Nations, and by scoring second place at the International Fingerstyle Guitar Championship both in 2018 and 2022.
Wes Collins + Jaimee Harris
Texas-born Jaimee Harris and North Carolina’s Wes Collins are joining forces for the Folk’N Friends Tour. Their sounds—Harris’s emotionally raw small-town narratives and Collins’s surreal, deep, and uniquely catchy songwriting– combined make for a moving night of heartfelt storytelling. You won’t want to miss this collaborative song swap-style show infused with a decade of friendship and mutual musical admiration. Wes Collins writes songs that dig deep and go to uncertain, sometimes scary places. Come for a haunting melody and some intricate fingerpicking and stay for the wit and deep literary intelligence. There is always more to find in a Wes Collins song. A former librarian and avowed record nerd, Wes can imitate the sound of outmoded computer voice simulations. He hasn’t found a way to make that pay yet. Jaimee Harris’s sophomore effort, ‘Boomerang Town,’ marks a bold step forward for this country-folk-leaning singer-songwriter. It is an arresting, ambitious song-cycle that explores the generational arc of family, the stranglehold of addiction, and the fragile ties that bind us together as Americans.
Dylan Walshe + Watkins
Known for his impassioned & engaging live performances, Dylan Walshe was born & raised on the southeast coast of Dublin, Ireland. Dylan went on to hone his craft as a solo acoustic performer in London, then Europe, before eventually moving to Nashville, Tennessee. Currently residing in the southern highlands of Black Mountain, North Carolina, Dylan has been billed alongside many pioneers in music, as well as headlining tours around much of the US, Europe & the UK, while also touring internationally as support to artists such as Flogging Molly, The White Buffalo, Billy Bob Thornton & Avatar. All Manner Of Ways, Dylan’s album of original compositions, features James Fearnley (The Pogues), Andy Gibson (Hank III), Micah Hulscher (Emmylou Harris) & John Mailander (Billy Strings).” “Dylan’s voice is so strong and expressive, at once so holy and damned it can shake heaven and hell simultaneously… …a true roots artist.” • No Depression With a desire to open the mind of the modern music scene, Watkins brings flavors of indie-folk and alt-rock. Watkins has created a grassroots following in his travels across the country, known for his acoustic guitar picking and soul-packed vocal performance. His lyrics showcase the spiritual journey taken during the writing process, distilled through years of living on the road. From Teton Valley to the Blue Ridge Mountains, Watkins is bringing his music to the masses. Sophomore album Unbiased Eyes showcases these universal reflections in songs such as Lovely Scares and Sad Happy. His latest single Clear As Mud foreshadows the upcoming release of his third record, set to debut April 11th! 

Sesame, Emily Grimm, Harvester, Fridge, and Tristinza
MANÁ After Party w/ Los Acoustic Guys
d.a.l.i.a. w/ Vicente Salas
“Mexican-American songwriter d.a.l.i.a. presents a collection of original works in both English and Spanish. She draws from her Western classical music upbringing to write music influenced by her Latin American roots, while exploring themes across the spectrum of the human condition. When not performing solo, she is joined by bassist Jennifer Aikey, guitarist and charanguista Cameron Rabb, violinist Scott Glasser and percussionist Zach Baker. She is a 2026 finalist for Not Your Average Folk Fest Contest. Vicente Salas is a 24 year old Mexican-American singer songwriter from Graham, North Carolina. A recent UNCG graduate, he plays alongside bassist Victor Olivan and guitarist Abe Reyes who share their love for music and pride for their Mexican culture. He creates original music close to his roots with inspiration from his own experiences and the music style of corridos and sierreño.”
JVK, Scoby, and Willingdon
Sugar Meat, Knockout Artist, and The Other Men
Colin Cutler, Jphono1, and Kim Ware
Murphy Campbell + Paper Wings
Murphy Campbell has deep roots. Western North Carolina is a place her family settled centuries ago. Born in the foothills and coming from a long lineage of mountain folk – she seeks to draw up the remnants of a forgotten modal sound. Long-time friends and collaborators Emily Mann and Wila Frank, known together as Paper Wings, dream up warm, pastoral folk songs suited to wandering through a forest or field, quiet contemplation, and long winding journeys. Furnished with delicate banjo and spellbinding harmonies so close you often can’t tell their voices apart, Frank & Mann deliver dynamic performances emboldened by the strength of their sincere songwriting. The duo have an uncommon ability to tastefully reference nostalgic sounds of American folk music while maintaining their own compelling style of artful and unpretentious lyricism. The strength and solitude one finds in the wilderness is a theme throughout their writing, and they lovingly transport listeners to open landscapes in which to find comfort and ask the questions which we all have in common.
