Folk Alliance Band(s) of the Day: Our collective returning favorites

The Folk Alliance International Conference, presented by Folk Alliance International, has its 2024 iteration this February 21-25 at the Westin Crown Center Hotel. With well over 100 artists performing over the course of five days, “crossing a diverse array of genres including Appalachian, Americana, Blues, Bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, Global Roots, Hip-Hop, Old-Time, Singer-Songwriter, Spoken Word, Traditional, Zydeco, and various fusions,” it can be intimidating to figure out where to start.

We’ve selected a few artists for whom we think you should make time to see, and we’ll be featuring one a day leading up until the conference kicks off on Wednesday, February 21.

As the conference kicks off this evening with the the International Folk Music Awards, we wanted to go back and remind you of some artists performing whom we’ve covered in the past.

We spoke with Kansas City’s own the Matchsellers when the bluegrass band released The Wishful Thinker’s Hall of Fame in 2022, and they’ll be taking the stage on Thursday, February 22, at 6:00pm in Washington Park Place 3.

We spoke with singer-songwriter Freedy Johnston when he released his new album, Back on the Road to You, in September of 2022, and he’ll be performing on Thursday, February 22, at 10:00pm in Washington Park Place 1.

We had an absolute blast when we caught Memphissippi Sounds at last year’s conference and we’re beyond thrilled to catch them again this year when they play Benton’s 20th Floor on Saturday, February 24 at 9:00pm.

As the conference was kicking off last year, we premiered Bandits on the Run’s “You Have Changed” and it rapidly became one of our top tracks of 2023. The trio doesn’t have any official showcases, but will be performing private showcases upstairs. The Brooklyn indie-folk-pop-americana group will also play Friday, February 23, at Greenwood Social Hall. Details and tickets for that show here.

New this year to the conference is that the public can get tickets to the official showcases. You don’t have to register for the conference to go for just one night. Individual evening tickets available here.

You can find out more information on the 2023 Folk Alliance International Conference at Folk Alliance International’s website.