REVIVAL! New England Americana Fest returns for Year 2 of its relaunch

NEAF will forever hold a special place in my dark, downtrodden, sad folky heart. Late nights sitting in random classrooms at MIT (next to laser labs) with a rag tag group of pals seeking sponsors to fuel this crazy dream, working alongside city officials to shut down Harvard Square and putting together the best possible line up of 50+ friend’s bands for a 3 day jubilation of New England folks and roots music.

It was tiresome and often thankless work being the invisible machine making things happen, but man, the nostalgia itch is one to be scratched to the point of bleeding. I miss that work with some of the best musical pals I have ever had the pleasure of playing and planning alongside. But I digress. NEAF is back and back in a big way for year 2 of the brand and festival’s relaunch and just today they rolled out the initial line up and details. See below for more (and keep an eye here for more coverage as we get closer to the date)…

 “New England Americana Fest is incredibly excited to be back at Bellforge Arts Center. It’s a special place; there’s a real sense of community and support for the arts there that lines up perfectly with what the festival is about. Last year felt like we were building something meaningful, and coming back gives us a chance to deepen that connection and make the experience even better for everyone involved.” — Kier Byrnes 

MORE FROM THE FESTIVAL COORDINATORS: After a successful relaunch last year at Bellforge Arts Center, which drew around 1,000 spectators to the historic open-air grounds in Medfield, this year’s festival goes down on Saturday, June 6 from 1 to 8 p.m. (rain date on Sunday). It’s a free event for all ages. 

NEAF ’26 features 14 bands and artists defining the vibrant local Americana scene right now, including hosts Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners (2025 Boston Music Awards’ Americana Artist of the Year), Nate Perry & Ragged Company (Boston Calling ’25), Other Brother Darryl (2024 BMAs Country Artist of the Year), Elisa Smith (2025 Josie Award winner), Jennifer Tefft & The Strange, Tigerman Woah, berm, Regals, Dirt Road Souls, and more. NEAF was nominated for Music Festival of the Year at last year’s BMAs.