Music Events

Blue Ox Unleashes 2020 Lineup

Eric Christenson, photos by Luong Huynh |

Today, the Blue Ox Music Festival lineup arrived for the sixth annual fest happening June 11-13, 2020 among the trees at Whispering Pines Campground, with some cool new facets this year. 

Gov’t Mule, Sam Bush Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Yonder Mountain String Band, Leftover Salmon, Charlie Parr, and of course Pert Near Sandstone head up the star-studded slate of artists this year, with the promise of another big headliner to be announced in January. There’s a couple of Eau Claire’s own on there too: Them Coulee Boys will return to Blue Ox hot off the release of this year’s Die Happy, and for the first time, bar-rockin’ country punks Pit Wagon are on the official lineup.

Blue Ox’s legendary late night sets have become a staple in the full musical experience since its inception, often featuring wild collaborations between wide-ranging artists. But this year, they’re adding to that with The Backwoods Stage, which will specifically feature regional and emerging artists. The Backwoods Stage’s first round looks like this: Miles Over Mountains, Nickle & Rose, Good Morning Bedlam, The Thirsty River, Dig Deep, Never Come Down, Pit Wagon, Katey Bellville, Gabe Barnett, and Doug Otto and the Getaways.

As the festival grows bit by bit over the years, its heart remains intact with some of the best and brightest stars of Americana all coming here for a magical weekend in June.

2020 Blue Ox Lineup*

*headliner to be announced in January
Gov’t Mule
Pert Near Sandstone
Sam Bush Band
The Infamous Stringdusters
Yonder Mountain String Band
Leftover Salmon
Charlie Parr
The Jerry Douglas Band
Rising Appalachia
Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Charley Crockett
Henhouse Prowlers w/ Tony Trischka
Lillie Mae
Them Coulee Boys
Legendary Shack Shakers
Sunny War
Julian Davis & The Situation
Nora Brown
Arkansauce
Armchair Boogie
Kind Country
One Way Traffic
Short Round String Band
Feed The Dog
Intuitive Compass
Barbaro
The High 48s
Miles Over Mountains
Nickle & Rose
Good Morning Bedlam
The Thirsty River
Dig Deep
Never Come Down
Pit Wagon
Katey Bellville
Gabe Barnett
Doug Otto and the Getaways

The Backwoods Stage

Miles Over Mountains
Good Morning Bedlam
Never Come Down
Pit Wagon
Doug Otto and the Gettaways
Nickle & Rose
The Thirsty River
Dig Deep
Katey Bellville
Gabe Barnett