- America’s River Roots Festival has canceled all paid stage concerts, dropping national headliners including Weezer, Janelle Monáe, Maren Morris, and Mt. Joy.
- Organizers said the decision was made to prioritize free programming, with more than 175 riverboat cruises, cultural exhibits, artisan markets, and local performances still scheduled.
- Local acts such as the Cincinnati Jazz All Stars, Over the Rhine, Band of Heathens, Noah Wotherspoon, Zapp, and Lauren Eylise will perform at free shows from Oct. 8–12 in Newport and at Yeatman’s Cove.
America’s River Roots Festival has scrapped its headlining musical acts.
National headlining acts such as Weezer, Janelle Monae, Maren Morris, and Mt. Joy, among others, will no longer be performing at the festival, as reported by LINK’s media partner, WCPO, this morning.
Festival organizers revealed the lineup on July 8. Since then, there have been adjustments to the headliner lineup, with organizers adding Janelle Monae and Walker Hayes to the schedule. For a chance to see the main acts perform, festivalgoers had to purchase tickets.
The festival’s lineup also featured several local and regional acts, which attendees could enjoy for free.
In a statement to LINK nky, the festival said that canceling paid stage concerts was a difficult choice. Refunds will be issued for those who have already purchased tickets.
“Like many festivals around the world, we’ve had to make difficult choices in a changing entertainment landscape. And while the festival continues, we’ve decided to cancel the paid stage concerts.”
“This decision allows us to focus even more on what our community has told us they value most: free and affordable experiences for people of all ages. It also allows us to connect directly to the Ohio River as the kickoff to the America250 celebration — with more than 175 themed riverboat cruises, plus cultural exhibits, artisan markets, and multicultural food, beer and bourbon experiences.”
National music acts were billed as a draw factor for the festival, as organizers hoped the acts would pull in attendees from across the country. During a Covington Business Council luncheon in April, festival co-chair Tim Fogerty said that music would be the biggest pillar of the event, with its planning committee expecting to spend millions of dollars on musical acts.
“Our music venue is really the biggest pillar of this event,” Fogarty said during the luncheon. “That’s where we spend the most money.”
The festival, which will take place on both the Ohio Riverfronts of Cincinnati and Covington, is scheduled for October 8 through 12. Marking the United States’ 250th anniversary, this event will be a celebration of the Ohio River Valley’s rich culture, including its food, music and traditions.
While national music acts are off the table, local acts are still part of the lineup, with performances slated Thursday through Sunday at stages at Newport on the Levee and Yeatman’s Cove.
The Cincinnati Jazz All Stars will open the festival Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Newport, followed by Over the Rhine from 8:30 to 10 p.m. at Yeatman’s Cove. On Friday, Band of Heathens will take the Newport stage from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule includes Noah Wotherspoon in Newport and Zapp at Yeatman’s Cove, both performing from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
