Folk Festival’s first Saturday brings the festival’s biggest night of opening weekend

If there is a night at this year’s Kerrville Folk Festival built to be remembered, it is Saturday at the Kennedy Outdoor Theater — a four-act lineup that opens with one of Americana’s most acclaimed voices and closes with one of bluegrass’s most celebrated live acts.

Kentucky singer-songwriter S.G. Goodman leads off at 7 p.m. A farmer’s daughter from the small Mississippi River town of Hickman, Goodman writes country and folk songs that wrestle with rural identity, faith, and community with a directness that has made her one of the genre’s most distinct voices. Her 2023 Americana Emerging Artist of the Year award and her 2025 album Planting by the Signs — released on her own Slough Water Records — mark a songwriter still deepening her reach.

Brooklyn folk duo Bandits on the Run follow at 8 p.m. with a theatrical, harmony-driven performance style that has earned them a growing audience on the national folk circuit. The duo of Regina Strayhorn and Alexander Scally blend intimate songwriting with character-driven stage storytelling in a way that tends to turn first-time listeners into devoted fans.

Then comes the 9 p.m. set that, on paper at least, has the most to live up to. Next of Kin — the Austin alt-country trio of Lili Hickman, Madison Baker, and Caelin — delivered what The Lead named the best live performance in Kerrville in 2025 when they took this same stage last year. The band, known for three-part harmonies that draw comparisons to the Chicks and a bold, uncompromising queer country identity they describe as “cult country,” released their debut EP in May 2025. They arrive Saturday knowing what this crowd is capable of. The question is whether lightning strikes twice.

Asheville, N.C., bluegrass band the Steep Canyon Rangers close the night at 10 p.m. Grammy nominees and longtime musical partners of Steve Martin, the Rangers have spent more than two decades becoming one of the most reliable live acts in acoustic American music. They are as close to a sure thing as this festival offers.

The festival runs through June 7. Tickets are available at kerrvillefolkfestival.org.

Sat, May 23

7 p.m. S.G. Goodman

S.G. Goodman Folk and country singer-songwriter from Hickman, Ky., Goodman grew up a farmer’s daughter in a Southern Baptist family and makes music that wrestles with rural identity, faith, and community. Her debut Old Time Feeling (2020) was co-produced by Jim James of My Morning Jacket; her third album, Planting by the Signs, was released in June 2025 on her own Slough Water Records. She received the 2023 Americana Emerging Artist of the Year award.

8 p.m. Bandits on the Run

Bandits on the Run Brooklyn-based folk duo Regina Strayhorn and Alexander Scally, known for rich two-part harmonies and a theatrical approach to folk performance. Their live shows blend intimate songwriting with character-driven storytelling, earning them a devoted audience on the folk festival circuit.

9 p.m. Next of Kin

Next of Kin Texas roots and country rock outfit known for tight harmonies and a sound that pulls from classic country and Southern rock. Next of Kin appeared at the Kerrville Folk Festival in 2025 as well, building familiarity with the Quiet Valley Ranch crowd.

10 p.m. Steep Canyon Rangers

Steep Canyon Rangers Asheville, N.C., bluegrass band formed in 2000, the Steep Canyon Rangers are Grammy nominees and longtime musical collaborators with actor and banjo player Steve Martin. Over two decades of recording and touring, the five-piece has released more than a dozen albums and earned a reputation as one of the premier live acts in acoustic American music.