From Local Roots to Festival Royalty, Tyler Childers Is Bringing It All Back to Lexington. ML
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The 2026 Railbird Music Festival lineup is officially here, and Kentucky’s own Tyler Childers is set to return as headliner, promising another unforgettable performance in his home state.
Organizers announced Monday that Childers will headline the two-day festival, scheduled for June 6–7 at The Infield at Red Mile. This will mark Childers’ third appearance at the festival, following his 2019 debut and his headlining set in 2023.
A native of Lawrence County, Kentucky, Childers has become one of the most acclaimed country and Americana artists of his generation. He began writing songs at 13 and performing in local venues before he turned 21. His breakout 2017 album, Purgatory, launched him into national stardom and earned praise from critics across the country.
Since then, he has released seven studio albums and has been nominated for seven Grammy Awards. His 2023 single In Your Love hit the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and earned three Grammy nods. Another fan favorite, All Your’n, was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance at the 62nd Grammy Awards and was written for his wife, fellow artist Senora May.
Childers’ festival resume includes performances at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Newport Folk Festival, Grand Ole Opry, and Merlefest, as well as sold-out shows at Rupp Arena and Kroger Field. Most recently, he played at Healing Appalachia in September and is scheduled to tour Europe in early 2026 before returning home for Railbird.
A Star-Studded Weekend
Joining Childers on the festival’s final day are rising country artists Zach Top and Ella Langley. On Saturday, June 6, indie-folk giants The Lumineers will headline, setting the tone for a weekend featuring more than 30 artists across three stages.
Other notable performers include Caamp, Mt. Joy, and several yet-to-be-announced acts spanning country, rock, Americana, and indie genres.
Ticket Information
Tickets go on sale Wednesday at 12 p.m. ET at railbirdfest.com. Two-day general admission passes start at $265, but prices are expected to increase within the first hour of sales.
Additional ticket tiers include:
- GA+ (from $400): Access to air-conditioned restrooms, private bar, and lounge area.
- VIP (from $765): Preferred viewing at both main stages, express merch lane, and VIP-only lounge access.
- Platinum (from $1,850): Includes VIP perks, plus golf cart transportation, premium dining, and a full-service bar.
- Trifecta (from $12,500): Full access to all amenities, plus front-of-stage and on-stage viewing, and a pre-show VIP reception with a behind-the-scenes tour.
Fans are encouraged to sign up for text alerts on Railbird’s website for real-time updates on ticket availability.
Railbird has been held annually since 2019, excluding 2020 and 2022, and has called Red Mile home since 2023. Last year’s festival featured headlining performances from Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll.
