Waxahatchee and Toad the Wet Sprocket Headline 48th Annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival

The 48th annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival is right around the corner, taking place at Hill Auditorium on January 24 and 25.

The festival first took place here in Ann Arbor in 1976 at the Power Center and featured the legendary John Prine as the headliner. Since 1976, the festival has grown, featuring a wide variety of music. One tradition that has remained all these years is a performance featuring all of the festival’s acts on the last day. This year, that performance will be on January 25th.

Headliners this year include Waxahatchee on January 24 and Toad the Wet Sprocket on January 25.

Waxahatchee is, at its core, the deeply personal and evocative musical project of singer-songwriter Kathryn Crutchfield. Emerging from the lo-fi indie scene with her early recordings, Waxahatchee initially captivated listeners with sparse, haunting instrumentation and intimate lyrics. Over time, Crutchfield’s sound has evolved dramatically, culminating in her latest release, the critically acclaimed “Tiger’s Blood.” This album marks a bold step forward for Waxahatchee, embracing a fuller, richer band dynamic while retaining the raw emotional honesty that has always defined her music.

A standout track on “Tiger’s Blood” is “Right Back To It,” a twang-infused exploration of the push-and-pull dynamics of long-term relationships. The song features her label mate MJ Lenderman, whose contributions add depth and texture to the already striking composition. The album has been met with widespread acclaim, earning a spot on numerous year-end lists in 2024. “Tiger’s Blood” climbed as high as number six on Pitchfork’s Top 50 Albums of 2024, placing Waxahatchee among indie music’s elite. Notably, the list also included her label mate MJ Lenderman’s Manning Fireworks and Charli XCX’s Brat — an album with a title that’s pronounced like a spoiled child, not the sausage.

With its compelling blend of lyrical vulnerability, lush instrumentation and collaborations with kindred spirits in the indie music scene, “Tiger’s Blood” has solidified Waxahatchee’s place as a dynamic and influential voice in contemporary music. Fans and critics alike have lauded the album as a creative high point in Crutchfield’s already remarkable career.


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Headlining on the second night is Toad the Wet Sprocket, a beloved alternative rock band that rose to prominence in the 1990s with timeless hits like “Walk on the Ocean,” “All I Want,” and “Something’s Always Wrong.”

Known for their melodic sound and heartfelt lyrics, the band has cultivated a loyal following over the decades. Toad the Wet Sprocket is no stranger to the Ann Arbor Folk Festival stage, having headlined in 2008 alongside renowned artists Ben Folds and Emmylou Harris. This year, they return to the festival in support of their most recent album, “Starting Now,” released in 2021 on their own independent label, Abe’s Records. The album has been celebrated for its thoughtful songwriting and introspective themes, showcasing the band’s ability to evolve while staying true to their roots. Fans can expect a memorable performance filled with nostalgia and new favorites alike.

Find tickets to this year’s folk festival here.

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