Blue Ox 2026 in Pictures
The beloved Wisconsin music festival was a feast for all the senses. Here’s what it looked like through the lens of photojournalist Tom Smouse.
Roe Family Singers
Blue Ox Day 1 started with Roe Family Singers. A long stay in the Twin Cities, this group was the perfect opening band to kick off the festival. Plenty of intrigue with the saw bending, surrounded by plenty of heart and grit. Boot stompin, high smilin, finger pickin, Roe Family Singers were fire!
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
I had listened to a lot of Bronwyn before finally getting to see at Blue Ox. Fierce, fun, and fashion forward, this was another perfect pairing with the festival. Can’t wait to see her again this coming August in the Twin Cities.
Fabrizio
Fabrizio silenced the crowd immediately with his deep voice and commanding tone. It’s acts like this that bring a dynamic and discovery to the festival that brings me back every year. Now to stalk his tour to see when Minnesota gets lucky next.
Mdou Moctor
Mdou Moctor took the audience on another musical journey on the main stage. The Nigerien singer and Tuareg-inspired guitarist added curiosity and attentive listeners from all around the main bowl.
Abby Webster
The lyricism and wit behind Abby Webster’s music was fleshed out in full glory with her Imaginary Band. Country folk and plenty of traveling antidotes, Abby became a crowd favorite within 3 songs.
Wild Horses
There is never a bad photograph of Wild Horses. There’s also never a bad song from this Minnesota group. A thump and a swag, they injected a pulse of Americana music that had everyone moving. Soaring vocals, tone rich harmonies, and a sound larger than life.
Daniel Donato
Headlining Day 1 was crowd favorite Daniel Donato. Almost now a yearly guest, he’s implanted some already legendary performances in so many attendees’ memories. Donato puts all his mojo into his guitar. Being that close to witness that energy was definitely a contact high.
Hemma
Hemma was the early performance on Day 2 and set the Backwoods Stage on fire. An all-star group supported her with an absolute perfect setlist that showcased her vocals and songwriting. Multiple moments of goosebumps made for a riveting kickoff of day 2.
Dom Flemons
Dom Flemons and the Traveling Wildfires channeled American old-time music with a twist of Piedmont blues on the main stage kickoff. His set of ballads and folklore soared across the field and soothed us into the day.
Maygen and the Birdwatcher
I’ll never get tired of seeing Maygen and the Birdwatcher, especially at Blue Ox. The energy and showmanship of the group continues to find new fans. There’s something for everyone when listening through their set.
Sierra Hull
Sierra Hull can rock a mandolin. Add in incredible songwriting and singing and you’re in for a treat. Over the years we’ve seen a healthy stream of amazing mandolin players grace the stage, and Sierra Hull is part of that elite class, shining as a top player of the festival.
Folk Bitch Trio
All the way from Melbourne Australia on their last date of the tour, Folk Bitch Trio cast a spell on the crowd. The trio earned hundreds, maybe even thousands of new listeners with their harmonies and a 2025 debut album that continues to find space on my listening rotation.
Charley Crockett
Almost a bit of deja vu seeing him step on stage, except unlike 2024 the rain didn’t intrude on Charley Crockett’s headlining set. Boy oh boy is he an instant classic, with his warm deep voice, gleaming blue eyes and country swagger. Visually it was the most eye-popping set of the festival, with exceptional lighting and sound.
Crockett is instant camera candy. It feels like every photo you click of him could be in National Geographic. His Blue Ox performance will stick in my mind for a long time to come.
Corpse Reviver
Day 3 at Blue Ox was loaded, as you’ll see from the barrage of photos. Like an amazing album, the setlist and order of songs matter. And this day, the order of these bands really clicked for me. Corpse Reviver—a Twin Cities supergroup made up of washboardist Mikkel Beckmen, fiddler/singer-songwriter Jillian Rae, and multi-instrumentalist Adam Kiesling—was first on the Backwoods Stage. The Harry Smith anthology tribute band delivered a big dose of humor, lots of smiles, and an old timey charm that just puts ya in a good mood.
Molly Brandt
I think I can say that I’d been waiting for Molly Brandt to play at Blue Ox for a whole year. While last year rained out her set, this year had perfect skies, a killer new album, and an even bigger band to perform lots of new songs off it. This set was worth the wait!
Extra credit for bringing a trumpet to Blue Ox.
Valerie June
Valerie June followed with another round of charm and charisma. She is a national treasure who held the massive main stage audience captivated with her songs and voice. Her storytelling between and during songs makes for an incredible connection to her as an artist and person.
The Lowest Pair
The Lowest Pair have a dynamic that keeps you glued to the stage. Stern, while soft, they lure you into their songs like a lullaby you don’t want to wake up from.
I’m With Her
Super trio I’m With Her fits perfectly in the pines of Blue Ox. Harmonies that soar, musicianship that shines, and songwriting that brings the best of all three stellar artists to the forefront.
Cigarette Picnic
Cigarette Picnic wins for best band name at the festival. Also winners of the Virtual Band Competition, the Duluth trio excelled at one of many appearances they’ll have at Blue Ox. They brought a ton of curious fans to the Backwoods Stage. Their three-part harmonies and witty songs were plenty to savor and evoke huge applause from the crowd. Each vocalist has such a different tonal quality that it was impressive seeing them blend and balance each other out.
The first photo below was snapped as a large drag of a cig puffed out.
Pert Near Sandstone
This year I overheard many stories behind the scenes of the generosity and kindness of co-hosting band Pert Near Sandstone. From sending a photography crew to document a wedding in the field, to sharing their resources with volunteers, to conspiring with a fan to deliver a touching surprise tribute to Them Coulee Boys after their set, this band cares about this festival and everyone at it. For me, it made their performances shine even brighter this year.
Silverada
This act surprised me the most with an instant brawling punch that energized the apropos named Saloon Stage. Silverada is the band you want to stumble upon in a bar on a Saturday night. Lots of energy, good songs to sing along to, and plenty of pizzazz to keep you lubricated. And keyboardist Parker Twomey was chic mojo.
Marcus King
The Marcus King Band brought a gritty rock soul party to the night. They oozed a type of mystical energy into the Blue Ox field that was a defining balance of genres and diverse sounds the festival strives to showcase.
The first shot below of King’s guitarist gave me goosebumps the moment my shutter clicked shut.
Them Coulee Boys
I’m not going to cry … dammit, I’m crying.
Them Coulee Boys capped off the three days with a blistering set of their greatest hits, along with poignant covers that said all the things we were all thinking. I can’t even begin to think about next year’s festival and how big a hole there’s going to be without these guys playing.
Thank you TCB for bringing your gifts to us for so many years of Blue Ox.
Learn more about the Blue Ox experience through the eyes of attendees, artists and volunteers in our companion piece, The Ins and Outs of Blue Ox!
About the Author & Photographer
Tom Smouse. Photo Credit: Chris Taylor.
Tom Smouse is an innovative collaborator with 20 years of experience in the Minnesota music industry. As a professional photographer, podcaster, and music journalist, sharing stories from the community remains his core passion. When not at a show you can find him at a record store.
