America’s River Roots Festival Announces Musical Acts for the celebration along the riverfront

Story and photos courtesy of Game Day Communications

From spirituals to jazz, country to funk, bluegrass to hip-hop, music has long been one of the most powerful cultural currents flowing through America’s inland waterways, connecting our communities for generations. This fall, America’s River Roots Festival honors that legacy with performances and experiences that highlight the area’s musical roots with a five-day experience along the banks of the Ohio River, Oct. 8-12, 2025.

Today, organizers announced the first wave of musical performances for the festival, including:

headlining sets from indie-rock favorites Mt. Joy on Friday, 

GRAMMY® award-winners Weezer on Saturday 

and Maren Morris on Sunday in Smale Riverfront Park. 

An additional headliner for Thursday will be revealed in the weeks ahead, rounding out a lineup that spans genres and generations.

Tickets for the main stage performances will go on sale Friday, July 11 at 10am EST at https://americasriverroots.frontgatetickets.com/. Main stage performances and the Spirit of America Gala are the only musical performances within the festival that will be ticketed.

America’s River Roots is a signature event to kick off America’s 250th celebration. This free, five-day festival takes place in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport. More than one million people are expected to attend, soaking in sips, sounds and flavors through music, cuisine, culture and cruises that celebrate our nation's river cities and the Cincy Region.

Guests will find the musical experience goes far beyond the headliners, with an additional seven free stages featuring blues, gospel, jazz, Americana, rock, country, multi-cultural music and more.

The festival will feature standout free performances from nationally and regionally acclaimed artists. Fans can catch Over the Rhine, Cincinnati’s beloved folk-rock duo; country trio Chapel Hart, known for their breakout moment on America’s Got Talent; and legendary jazz drummer Harvey Mason. These artists and many more to be announced will perform across themed stages along the riverfront, including:

• Sawyer Point Stage (Gospel & Cultural Rhythms)
• Schmidlapp Stage (Jazz, Gospel)
• Freedom Center Stage (R&B, Blues)
• Covington Stage (Bluegrass, Country, Americana)
• Newport Stage (Southern Rock, Blues)
• Yeatmans Cove Stage (Cross-Genre)
• Public Landing Stage(Regional Music)

“The river was not only a means of transportation: it transported, created and shaped the music we know today — from jazz, blues, r&b, gospel, to rock,” says Tena Clark, America's River Roots Executive Music Director and CEO of DMI Music & Media Solutions.

In addition to more than 100 live performances, the musical experience at America’s River Roots Festival honors the history of music and our communities with performances that reflect both legacy and innovation. Special musical experiences will complement the stage lineup, including:

• Sounds From the River, an interactive educational concert and curriculum from Kathy Wade, local music icon, which traces the historical development and migration of music from the diverse populations that traveled along the Ohio River. ‌‍‍‍‌‍ ‌‍‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‌ ‌‍‌‌These performances will be hosted at the festival and at the Aronoff Center for sixth-graders in Cincinnati Public Schools.
• The Spirit of America Gala, an evening honoring artistic achievement and cultural storytelling, featuring Cincinnati’s world-class performing arts: Cincinnati Pops, Cincinnati Opera and Cincinnati Ballet at Music Hall on Oct. 7, with tickets available in lateJuly.
• King Of Them All: River Roots Edition, in partnership with afrochine, offering a focused look into Cincinnati’s iconic King Records, drawn from the stories and footage behind the full-length documentary.
• Riverboat Cruises from seven of America’s historical river cities will feature the music from their home port, including Memphis and New Orleans.

“Music is at the heart of America’s River Roots – it’s one of the pillars that brings people together,” says Susan Fisher, executive director of America’s River Roots. “This year’s lineup reflects that spirit. We’ve got something for everyone. We invite everyone to come to the riverfront to see your favorite band, find new favorites, and explore new sounds and experiences.”

An additional headliner and featured artists will be announced later this summer. For tickets, updates and the evolving lineup, visit americasriverroots.com.

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