FRIDAY: 10 Must-See Artists Performing At The Laurel Cove Music Festival!

Here at Capture Kentucky, we do our best to shine a spotlight on as many Kentucky artists as we can. We do occasionally step outside the borders of our great Commonwealth, and this weekends Laurel Cove Music Festival is a prime example of why that is an exception.

The majority of the artists performing on Friday and Saturday reside here with us in Kentucky, but there are a few folks that we’re gonna make honorary Kentuckians for the weekend.

For the record, these articles have been some of the more difficult lists to put together, so hats off to Mr. Jon Grace and all the wonderful folks in Bell County for an absolutely STACKED lineup on both days.

So without further ado, here’s a quick guide to 10 artists (in no particular order) that we feel you should experience in the absolutely gorgeous Laurel Cove Amphitheater on Friday!

10. Logan Halstead – Logan is a Kentuckian that now resides in West Virginia. This young (emphasis on young at only 17 years old) Logan has drawn comparisons to some of the best songwriters around. The video for his song “Dark Black Coal” had amassed over 1.6 million views before being made private. So for now, enjoy “Far From Here” instead. Catch Logan on the Campfire Stage on Friday (8:00-8:30 PM) and Saturday (4:00-4:30 PM).

9. 49 Winchester – These fellas jumped onto my radar a couple of years ago when my son caught them playing a show with the Laid Back Country Picker in Louisville. This will be my first opportunity to catch them live. So join me at the Main Stage on Friday at 5:45 to show these Virginia fellas some love.

8. Wolfpen Branch- Due to my work schedule, there’s a really slim chance that I’ll be able to make it to see this bluegrass supergroup, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. With members and former members of The Wooks, Relic and Newtown, Wolfpen Branch is going to destroy the Main Stage on Friday from 1:30-2:00 PM.

7. Sydney Adams – Sydney hails from nearby Corbin, Kentucky and in my humble opinion, has a massive shot at becoming a country star. Why? Because Sydney is the total package. She has tremendous range, a fun personality, she writes terrific songs, she’s young and she’s determined. That’s a deadly combination! You can catch Sydney Adams on Friday over at the Campfire Stage from 4:00-4:30 PM.

6. Mike And The Moopies – These folks hail from the great state of Texas. Since everything’s bigger in Texas, I suspect Mike and the Moonpies just might be the most hyped performance on Friday.

Another added bonus is that these fellas have released an album of songs that were unreleased by Jenkins, Kentucky’s Country Star Gary Stewart. I know I’ll be watching, as well as listening for some of those songs, and you can too as they’ll be playing the Main Stage from 7:00-8:00 PM.

5. Bek & The Starlight Revue – Unfortunately, I highly doubt that I’ll be able to make it in time for Bek, but I’ll assure you of this right now, NO ONE will out sing Bek Smallwood, on either day. If you’re able to make it for their Main Stage performance from 12:45-1:10, you’re in for an absolute treat. Bek and the boys have also been working with Chance McCoy of Old Crow Medicine Show, so I’m totally bummed that I won’t hear what they’ve been cooking up.

4. Morgan Wade – I first saw Morgan Wade at Kickin It On The Creek back in 2019. That day, I saw a young lady that wasn’t sure of herself. She thought her Virginia accent would reap criticism. She sort of hid behind her sunglasses that day. She won’t be doing that on Friday night. Her career has taken flight and I can not wait to witness the growth of this young lady as an artist. If you only catch one set on Friday, make it Morgan Wade. You can thank me later.

3. Short & Company – If you’re a fan of the Blues or just enjoy getting your face melted by guitars, you’re gonna want to be at Laurel Cove very early on Friday. Jeremy Short is an accomplished Blues player, and when you add in the members of Bedford as his backing band, wear a face shield. You’ve been warned! Catch Short & Co. on the Main Stage from 12:00-12:25.

2. Wayne Graham – Few artists have had the impact that the folks in Wayne Graham have on music from Eastern Kentucky. The Miles Brothers have recorded and produced some of the best music that Kentucky has to offer. They’ll be playing their own, massively underrated, songs on Friday from 3:20-4:00 PM. If any band is best experienced in a live setting, it’s Wayne Graham.

1. Sundy Best – This list wouldn’t be complete without Sundy Best. The duo recently reunited, much to the delight of their fans. The fellas have grown as artists, and their evolution is immediately noticeable when they hit the stage. Whether you’ve seen these fellas perform or not, you’re not going to want to miss their performance on the Main Stage from 10:00-11:00 PM.

You can check out our Saturday recommendations here.

Listen, you’re not going to go wrong catching any set at the Laurel Cove Music Festival. Jon Grace has the ear and the discretion to put together a stellar lineup from top to bottom. So get there early, enjoy the Kentucky vendors and prepare yourself to immerse deeply into the vast amount of talent that call Kentucky home. See ya there!!