When Franklin’s Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival nabbed partner and producer Justin Timberlake to headline last year’s third annual event, by far the most high-profile of the local fest’s short run, we knew that the event’s newfound attention and significantly boosted attendance would set a future precedent, and have remained incredibly curious to see how they’d follow that excellent lineup up for 2018. The answer, apparently, is Jack White, Chris Stapleton, and Lionel Richie. Hot damn!
White, of course, is celebrating the high-profile release of his third album Boarding House Reach, and aside from a pair of last-minute shows at his own Third Man Records, had been oddly silent in announcing larger performances here in his adopted hometown, so seeing him on top of the bill, especially when he does well to bridge the fest’s rock and rootsier sensibilities, feels like a natural fit. Similarly, Stapleton, now a certifiable arena act, is a big get and a local that makes a hell of a lot of since, and Richie does well to round out the musical range.
The undercard this year, something that Pilgrimage has limited space to fill but always manages to make count, might be the coolest mix of performers yet, boasting the likes of Hozier, Brandi Carlile, Bleachers, Lord Huron, Dawes, Elle King, The Struts, festival co-founder Kevin Griffin (billed solo instead of with Better Than Ezra this year), The Record Company, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Caroline Rose, Lilly Hiatt, and many more, spanning two main stages, two small stages, and a kids stage at Franklin’s picturesque Park at Harlinsdale.
Pilgrimage returns Sept. 22 & 23 this year, and tickets are set to go on sale this Friday, March 30 at 10 a.m. CDT right here, with both GA and VIP options available. Additionally, select Citi cardholders can take advantage of a special pre-sale here. Check out the full lineup and artist announcement video below, and keep an eye out for way more news and coverage and we prepare to make the Pilgrimage later this summer!
Jack White
Chris Stapleton
Lionel Richie
Hozier
Brandi Carlile
Counting Crows
Amos Lee
Bleachers
Lord Huron
Dawes
Maggie Rogers
Elle King
Mat Kearney
Valerie June
The Struts
Jade Bird
Kevin Griffin
Keb’ Mo’
The White Buffalo
Pete Yorn
The Record Company
Caitlyn Smith
John Moreland
The Infamous Stringdusters
Tall Heights
Tyminski
Aaron Lee Tasjan
Jillian Jacqueline
Low Cut Connie
Donovan Woods
Courtney Marie Andrews
Rebirth Brass Band
Wild Rivers
Joshua Hedley
Caroline Rose
Robert Finley
Devon Gilfillian
Whitney Rose
Lilly Hiatt
Sarah Shook & The Disarmers
AHI
Liz Longley
Hannah Dasher
Josh Martin
Bishop Gunn
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