There's nothing like seeing your favorite band perform live on a gorgeous summer night at an outdoor concert venue ... And in the DMV area, we are very fortunate to have arguably 4 of the top outdoor music venues in the country right in our backyards.
Each year we are lucky enough to have the chance to catch some amazing shows under the stars ... and in 2020 - Wolf Trap is boasting one of their best lineups ever!
You can see their full schedule HERE - or check out our highlights below -
They kick the season off on May 28th - with the Living Image Tour - an amazing double bill of The Head and the Heart (making their Wolf Trap debut) and Margo Price (tickets)
Claiming top spots on multiple Billboard charts with songs like “Lost in My Mind,” “Missed Connection,” and “All We Ever Knew,” indie-folk collective The Head and the Heart makes its Wolf Trap debut following the recent release of Living Mirage (2019). They are joined by Margo Price, “one of the most compelling country talents to come out of Nashville in recent memory” (Vulture), who kicks off the show.
On June 4 - Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit come to town -along with opener (!) David Crosby. (tickets)
“One of the finest poets working in American music” (Rolling Stone), Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit returns to Wolf Trap with a Grammy-winning blend of Americana and Alabama roots. Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer David Crosby of Crosby, Stills & Nash opens the show with some of his greatest hits and new material.
Just one week later, on June 11- Andrew Bird makes his Wolf Trap debut with collaborators Calexico and Iron & Wine. (tickets)
Internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, whistler, and songwriter Andrew Bird is joined by indie-folk super group Calexico and Iron & Wine (fresh off 2019’s collaborative Years to Burn) for an evening of eclectic and imaginative performances. A trifecta of Wolf Trap debuts!
Another amazing double bill features Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco on June 23 (tickets)
Ani DiFranco Photo credit: Credit: Anthony Mulcahy
Indigo Girls, “one of the finest folk duos of all time” (NPR), and feminist icon and singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco return to Wolf Trap with a Grammy-winning blend of female driven folk, rock, and pop.
Three days later - on June 26th - John Prine and Emmylou Harris take the stage (tickets)
John Prine Photo Credit: Rett Rogers // Emmylou Harris Photo Credit: Veronique Rolland
20 Wolf Trap performances. Two legends. One incredible night.
Grammy-winning folk and country luminaries John Prine and Emmylou Harris return in 2020 to celebrate their respective 20th performances at Wolf Trap. Incomparable as songwriters, Prine and Harris’ combined list of star-studded collaborators includes Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and countless others on iconic songs like “Angel From Montgomery,” “Paradise,” “Boulder to Birmingham,” “Pancho & Lefty,” and more.
July starts off with 2 nights of Steely Dan and special guest Steve Winwood on the 7th (tickets) and 8th (tickets)
Longtime collaborators Steely Dan ("Do it Again," "Reelin' In the Years," "Deacon Blues") and Steve Winwood ("Can't Find My Way Home," "Dear Mr. Fantasy," "Higher Love") unite at Wolf Trap for two nights of Grammy-winning rock hits infused with jazz, pop, and R&B influences.
It might not be the last summer on earth - but the tour of the same name featuring Barenaked Ladies, Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket comes to Vienna on July 15 (tickets)
Smashing together humorous lyrics with pop-rock melodies, headliners Barenaked Ladies have kept audiences singing and dancing to catchy hits like “One Week,” “Pinch Me,” and “If I Had $1,000,000” for over 30 years. The 6th edition of the Last Summer On Earth Tour also features rock quintet Gin Blossoms (“Hey Jealousy,” “Follow You Down”) and melodic band Toad The Wet Sprocket (“All I Want,” “Walk on the Ocean”).
They sold out a 4 DC night residency in DC this winter - so it makes sense that Tedeschi Trucks Band will play two nights at Wolf Trap with St Paul & the Broken Bones and Gabe Dixon on July 21 and 22 (7/21 tickets or 7/22 tickets)
Credit: Ian Rawn
Led by the husband and wife team of guitarist Derek Trucks and vocalist/guitarist Susan Tedeschi, the 12-member strong Tedeschi Trucks Band is acclaimed by critics and fans alike for their unrivaled blend of American soul, blues, country, and rock. Curated in the spirit of musical collaboration, the Wheels of Soul 2020 Tour also features dynamic rock ’n’ roll/soul band St. Paul & The Broken Bones and Gabe Dixon pulling double duty—first with his trio and later with his TTB bandmates.
One of the shows we're most looking forward to - Brandi Carlile playing with the National Symphony Orchestra on July 24th and 25th. Added bonus - Tanya Tucker is the opener! (7/24 tickets or 7/25 tickets)
Beloved by fans and critics, Americana singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile returns to Wolf Trap accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra. 2019 was a landmark year for Carlile—she won three Grammy Awards for her acclaimed album By The Way, I Forgive You (2018) featuring “The Joke,” and formed country supergroup The Highwomen. Tanya Tucker, the original female country outlaw, opens the shows.
The National might be one of the most polarizing live bands and they will make their Wolf Trap debut on July 29 with Julia Jacklin (tickets)
Credit: Graham MacIndoe
Grammy-winning indie rockers The National craft a unique sound mixing elements of alternative, country-rock, Americana, chamber pop, and more. Catch them in their Wolf Trap debut performing favorites like “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness,” “I Need My Girl,” and “About Today.”
This summer's Miracle Pill Tour will see Goo Goo Dolls, Lifehouse and Forest Blakk perform at Wolf Trap on August 13 (tickets)
Led by John Rzeznik and Robby Takac, record-breaking, Multi-Platinum rock band Goo Goo Dolls returns to Wolf Trap with smash hits like “Iris,” “Slide,” and “Black Balloon.” Lifehouse, the rockers behind the hit “You and Me,” and urban folk singer Forest Blakk will get everyone up and moving.
David Gray brings his White Ladder: The 20th Anniversary Tour to Virginia on August 15 (tickets)
Credit: Derrick Santini
Singer/songwriter David Gray celebrates the 20th anniversary and global success of his breakthrough album White Ladder. The success of the album, which features the hits “This Year’s Love,” “Babylon,” and “Sail Away,” spawned a new wave of acoustic singer/songwriters that can be directly traced from David Gray to Ed Sheeran. At this performance, Gray performs White Ladder in its entirety plus his greatest hits.
Another one of our favorite artists making their Wolf Trap debut this summer - The Decemberists - who will be in Virginia on August 16 (tickets)
Hailing from Portland, OR, eccentric indie-folk band The Decemberists “is rock enough for a stadium, but folk enough that they wouldn't get kicked out of a Renaissance Faire” (Chicago Tribune). Experience the band’s hits like “Severed,” “Don’t Carry It All,” and “Make You Better” in their Wolf Trap debut.
Ziggy Marley & Stephen Marley celebrate their father's legacy with a Bob Marley Celebration on August 19 (tickets)
Credit: Chris Hornbecker
Multi-Grammy Award-winning brothers Ziggy and Stephen Marley come together to honor their father's reggae legacy during this one-night-only Bob Marley Celebration.
And saving one of the best shows for last - The Avett Brothers wrap up the outdoor season at Wolf Trap on September 18 (tickets)
“Americana stalwarts” (Rolling Stone) and Wolf Trap favorites, The Avett Brothers return for their third straight year to perform folk-tinged songs filled with unbridled energy and honest, heartfelt lyrics
