The Railbird Music Festival returns to Lexington this weekend to kick-off the summer festival season with great music, local culture, and Kentucky charm. Set at The Infield at Red Mile, this two-day event offers an array of artists with a mix of country, rock, bluegrass, Americana and more accompanied by bourbon tastings, regional cuisine, and more.
As in past years, there are three stages at the festival, the Limestone, Elkhorn and Burl, each strategically located to keep the music flowing and not overlapping sound while they are playing. After entering the festival at The Red Mile, the main stage, the Limestone Stage, is located all the way to the left side of the festival grounds and will host most of the larger acts. The Elkhorn Stage is located straight across from where you enter the grounds and will host the bands that are smaller than the headliners but still great to check out, and The Burl Stage is located straight across to the right when you walk in an hosts more intimate acts, although we saw Red Clay Strays on The Burl Stage last year and they were amazing!
Most of the food, beverage and experience opportunities are located around the perimeter of the grounds and offer a great spread of tasty options beyond the typical corn dogs and cotton candy. Pro Tip: Walk a bit further for the concessions that aren’t right next to the music, they will have shorter lines, if any line at all, and serve similar items.
Headliners, Must-See Acts and Up and Comers
As always the top acts at Railbird feature some of the biggest names in the business, and this year is no exception. While you have likely heard of Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Shaboozey and others, push the envelope and explore new names and sounds that just might end up on your favorite playlist. We hope you like our artist outlook below and get a chance to discover some new sounds for the summer.
Saturday – May 31
The Saturday line-up is nothing short of fantastic with the top acts such as Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman and Shaboozey all taking the stage. Saturday will start the long-awaited weekend off with many lowkey and up-and-coming artists and bands including Ruston Kelly (Americana, folk rock, alternative country) playing on Limestone at 1:45 and Rattlesnake Milk (Outlaw country, garage punk, psychedelic rock) on the Burl at 2:45. Things heat up with Wyatt Flores (Country, folk rock, Americana), when the rising singer-songwriter takes the Limestone Stage at 3:15. His 2024 debut album, Welcome to the Plains, has taken off and this will be a great set to ease into the afternoon to. Nothing slows down into the afternoon with grammy award winning Larkin Poe (Gritty blend of Southern rock, blues, and Americana) taking the stage at 4:15 on the Elkhorn, Josh Meloy (Authentic blend of Red Dirt, outlaw country, and Americana influences) performs at 5:15 on the Burl, Cody Jinks (Outlaw country, southern rock) plays at 6:15 on the Elkhorn and Shaboozey brings his unique and upbeat sounds of country, hip-hop, and Americana the Limestone Stage at 7:15.
Turning towards the later evening, country-rock-infused Bailey Zimmerman (8:15 Elkhorn) will electrify the Elkhorn stage with big-time hits such as Fall in Love, Rock a Hard Place, and Holy Smokes. Then, the party keeps going with country-star Luke Grimes at 8:00 on the Burl Stage.
To round out the night, traditional country and Southern rock phenomenon, Lainey Wilson, will headline the night at 9:30 on the Limestone Stage and will look to keep the night going with all-time favorites like Heart Like a Truck, 4x4xU, and Watermelon Moonshine.
Sunday – June 1
Following Saturday’s performances, Sunday will be filled with more great music and an eclectic mix of familiar names and some under the radar gems. The day kicks off with The Castellows (1:00 on Limestone) and ends with headliner Jelly Roll at 9:30 on the Limestone Stage. With so many artists performing, it will be tough to see everyone, but this run down of a few of our favorites will ensure a great afternoon. Treaty Oak Revival (3:30 Limestone) from Odessa, Texas, blends Texas Red Dirt country with Southern rock to for a raw sound and heartfelt story. This will be a high-energy performance that will get you ready for what the rest of the day will hold. Next, check out Gavin Adcock (6:15 Elkhorn) when the the 26-year-old former Geargia Southern football player will bring his outlaw country sound to the Lexington crowd. While loved by many, Adcock is one of the more controversial artists on the scene with some calling him a fake outlaw. Either opinion, Adcock has a multitude of songs that soared up charts and will be one of the wilder performances of the weekend. Directly after Adcock finishes, The Red Clay Strays (7:15 Limestone) return to Railbird with what will be a high energy set. Last year they played The Burl stage for what was one of the best sets of the weekend, and they were rewarded with a top spot on the big stage. Hailing from Mobile Alabama, the band fuses country rock, Delta blues, and gospel influences into their music. Their breakout Single “Wondering Why” went viral on social media, propelling it to number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Round out the night is Blackberry Smoke (8:00 Burl), a Southern rock band from Atlanta, Georgia known for their blend of Southern rock, blues, and vintage country, Riley Green (8:15 Elkhorn) with traditional country themes and modern storytelling with heartfelt lyrics and authentic Southern roots. The festival will culminate with ill provide some great sounds before Jelly Roll rounds out the night on the Limestone State at 9:00 for what is always a great performance and will bring his emotionally charged, genre-blending experience fusing Southern rock, country, and hip-hop with raw storytelling and a heartfelt performance.
With a lineup that spans genres and generations, Sunday offers a finale to a weekend of exceptional music.
Beyond the Music: Bourbon, Bites, and Bluegrass Culture
Railbird celebrates more than music with offerings to showcase Kentucky’s rich heritage with experiences that extend beyond the stages. Check out some of the extracurricular opportunities located around the festival grounds for the full Railbird Experience.
The Bourbon Hideout: A haven for bourbon enthusiasts, offering single barrel pours, specialty cocktails, and a curated bottle shop.
Culinary Delights: A variety of food vendors serve up local favorites, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, ensuring there’s something for every palate.
Equine Culture: Embracing Lexington’s identity as the Horse Capital of the World, the festival incorporates elements that pay homage to its equestrian roots.
Railbird 2025 promises more than just a music festival; it’s an immersive celebration of Kentucky’s culture, music, and community spirit. Whether you’re a local or traveling in, this event offers a unique blend of entertainment and tradition that’s not to be missed.
Tickets and more information:
Weekend and single day tickets are available for purchase at RailbirdFest.com.
Article written by Jacob and Johnathon Dreisbach (Louisville, Kentucky – Audience502.com)
