Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit is a huge get for Blue Ox in 2021. Isbell and his band performed at The State Theatre in Eau Claire in 2015. (Photo by Lee Butterworth)

2020 was a year of incredible loss and disappointment for music festivals around the country, and here in the Valley.

Yet, Blue Ox wasn’t shook. After cancelling their main gathering last summer, the fest held a few COVID-safe outdoor campouts at The Pines, the campground-turned-festival grounds in Eau Claire, and a live-stream virtual iteration of their main fest.

It’s with that spirit of optimism, and commitment to making great music happen that today, Blue Ox announces a star-studded lineup of bands and artists for next summer. They shifted the dates back from their mainstay spot in June in hopes that by the end of the summer, they can host a fully-functioning Blue Ox in its truest form.

Says today’s press release: “Resilience, creativity and hope, have held the torch high as we discovered ways to stay united through live streaming performance concerts, and an abundance of exciting new music and collaboration.”

Pert Near Sandstone at The Pines  (Photo By Luong Huynh)

Looking at the lineup for 2021, Blue Ox has put together one of their absolute best for their 7th annual party at The Pines. Again curated by the Minneapolis band Pert Near Sandstone, the lineup is stacked for 2021 with headliner Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (who last played in Eau Claire in 2015 at the State Theatre), Shakey Graves, Molly Tuttle, Lassie, and Charley Crockett. Of course, it wouldn’t be Blue Ox without their talented regulars Sam Bush, Charlie Parr, Them Coulee Boys, and the annual nightly performances of Pert Near Sandstone.

But if you want tickets, you’ve gotta act fast! Over half the tickets for 2021 are already sold as rollover from 2020’s cancellation.

HERE'S THE FULL LINEUP:

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Shakey Graves
Sam Bush Band
The Infamous Stringdusters
Pert Near Sandstone
Leftover Salmon
Charlie Parr
Molly Tuttle
Lissie
Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Charley Crockett
The Lil Smokies
Kitchen Dwellers
Lillie Mae
Henhouse Prowlers with Tony Trischka
Them Coulee Boys
Sunny War
Julian Davis & The Situation
Nora Brown
Jon Stickley Trio
Arkansauce
Armchair Boogie
Kind Country
One Way Traffic
Feed The Dog
Short Round Stringband
Intuitive Compass
Barbaro
The High 48s
Miles Over Mountains
Good Morning Bedlam
The Thirsty River
Dig Deep
Never Come Down
Pit Wagon
Katey Bellville
Gabe Barnett
Doug Otto and the Getaways

You can learn more about next year’s get-down, buy tickets, reserve campsites, and more at www.blueoxmusicfestival.com