Aarschots Folk & Bluegrass Festival 2026 - Bluegrass day

Rootstown and CC Het Gasthuis are joining forces again for the 2nd edition of their Folk & Bluegrass event Aarschots Folk and Bluegrass Festival with the goal of promoting and organizing local, national, and international folk and bluegrass talent. After the success of the 1st edition (more than 500 visitors over a weekend), we are once again ensuring a real party for the 2nd edition with a mix of Folk & Bluegrass from the stable of Rootstown and friendly partners. Festival day June 20 A full day of Bluegrass and related musical styles with the added bonus of some workshops and acoustic presentation moments from the folk music school Westelfolk. Estación 39 (ARG) - Argentine bluegrass band that brings the Appalachian spirit to life. Estación 39 is an Argentine bluegrass band that brings the Appalachian spirit to life. With their lively sound and dynamic stage presence, they have captivated audiences at leading folk festivals in Argentina, including Muddy Roots and Buenos Aires Bluegrass. Now they are embarking on their second European tour, building on the success of their first tour in 2025, which included a performance at the famous Bluegrass in La Roche festival in France. With traditional instruments and intricate vocal harmonies, Estación 39 is guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable experience. https://www.instagram.com/estacion39bluegrass/ Tandem (B) - Winnaar Vi.Be open call Tandem, driven by Hendrik Wijnant on the flipped guitar and Elisabeth Fraeyman on the nimble-fingered violin. Dance, jump, laugh and swing, tear and sing #Betandem Westelfolk – Folk(lore) from the Kempen, playing on self-made instruments Westelfolk is a group of folk(lore) enthusiasts who bring old Kempen music back to life on original and self-built instruments! www.westelfolk.be Late Again – Local band with songs from the rich repertoire of country, bluegrass, and americana. Last year via the 'open-call' at our festival, this year a full set because they deserve it!!! Late Again brings songs from the rich repertoire of country, bluegrass, and americana. The band was founded in Leuven by Ezra (vocals and guitar) and Frans (violin, banjo, vocals) but only really reached cruising speed when Ann came to strengthen them on double bass. Together they bring roots music with character. With their extensive stage experience, they give a quirky twist to strong, often lesser-known songs from the genre - each and every one of them beautiful songs that deserve to be kept singing! https://sites.google.com/view/lateagain New Valley String Band (SE) – American old-time music mixed with Scandinavian roots music and bluegrass. Presentation of new album. New Valley String Band is a Swedish trio where American old-time music meets Nordic traditions, creating a fresh and unique musical experience. With a combination of guitar, violin, banjo, and heartfelt vocals, they create a sound that brings together roots from the Appalachians with Scandinavian folk, taking listeners to a place where two mountain ranges musically converge. Their unique blend of styles, with both soulful melodies and innovative arrangements, offers something special for lovers of traditional music and those looking for new musical horizons. These three experienced musicians invite you into their world, where rich harmonies and timeless stories come to life in every performance. https://newvalleysb.com/ Reedy River String Band (USA) – uptempo bluegrass from Greenville, USA. Masters of 'harmony vocals'. Reedy River String Band plays immersive music in three-part harmony! Hailing from Greenville, South Carolina, the band brings a fresh take on Appalachian roots music, infused with elements of rock-'n-roll and jam band music. The sound of Reedy River is modern bluegrass with foot-stomping elements of jam and rock-'n-roll, inspired by the band members' diverse touring and recording experiences. During a performance, multi-instrumentalist Sterling Waite alternates between mandolin, violin, banjo, and harmonica to add a range of textures to the band's live performances. Met Rush Morgan on guitar and Mark Dye on double bass, all three members are songwriters and lead singers, which offers depth and variety to original material. https://www.reedyriverstringband.com/