Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-04-13
Pickathon returns to Pendarvis Farm July 30–August 2, 2026, and today the festival announces the second wave of artists joining its already formidable 26th-anniversary lineup. The additions deepen the festival's signature curation strategy: honoring the architects of the genres we love while championing the vanguard voices reinventing them.
Round Two Additions
Joining the Legends tier is Quasi, the beloved Portland-bred duo of Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss, whose two-decade catalog of angular, emotionally raw rock has quietly shaped the sound of an entire region. Their addition to Pickathon's storied lineup feels like a homecoming. Hip-hop legend and Bay Area icon Lyrics Born brings his genre-bending showmanship to the farm, a performer whose energy and range have kept him essential across decades.
The new Discovery Artists make an equally compelling case. Esther Rose continues her rise as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary country and Americana, her songwriting as plainspoken and precise as it is deeply felt. Canadian songwriter Leroy from the North arrives with a wry, poetic storytelling style already drawing comparisons to the greats. Psych-rock outfit Meatbodies bring a wall-of-sound intensity that will make excellent use of Pickathon's open-air stages, while Sgt. Papers delivers the kind of combustible live energy that's already igniting rooms wherever they play. Songwriter Ora Cogan offers something haunting and arresting: music full of gothic atmosphere and emotional precision. The Takes bring a jolt of live-wire indie energy, and Nathan Bowles, banjoist, drummer and improviser, rounds out the additions with a one-of-a-kind set that defies easy classification.
Full 2026 Lineup
Legends Steve Earle / Marcos Valle / Built to Spill / Shakey Graves / Quasi / Meridian Brothers / Lyrics Born / Alela Diane / Acid King / Clinton Fearon
Discovery Artists The Altons / Thee Sinseers / The Brothers Comatose / The Womack Sisters / Widowspeak / Hudson Freeman / Mary Halvorson / Leroy from the North / Florry / Family Company / Folk Bitch Trio / SA-Roc / Meatbodies / Hannah Frances / Ben Chapman / D.K. Harrell / The South Hill Experiment / Rumbo Tumba / Friendship / Boy Golden / Hannah Juanita / Sgt. Papers / Channing Wilson / Dylan Earl / Hogslop String Band / El Khat / Esther Rose / Briscoe / Automatic / The Takes / DUG / The Onlies / Ken Pomeroy / Prewn / mercury / Mexican Institute of Sound / PISS / Hannah Hill / Setting / Nathan Bowles / Caitlin Canty / Terror Cactus / Ora Cogan / Jonny's Day Out / Cosmic Tones Research Trio / Buddy Wynkoop / Portland Songwriters Guild / Rose Gerber / Willam Surly / Honky Tonk Basement / Corndog Cowgirl
A Track Record You Can Trust
For 26 years, Pickathon has served as the industry's crystal ball, the stage where fans first encountered The War on Drugs, Kamasi Washington, Tyler Childers, The Marías, Black Pumas, Khruangbin and Big Thief, long before they sold out arenas. The festival's continued ability to identify what's next and deliver it in one of the most immersive settings in American music.
"In an era of increasingly corporate music festivals, Pickathon remains proudly independent and deeply intentional," said founder Zale Schoenborn. "We don't book artists because they're obvious and everywhere. We book them because they're pointing to what's next, and over 26 years we've built a community that trusts in the Pickathon process."
An Immersive Cultural Metropolis
Pickathon is as much a marvel in place-making as it is a music festival. Every summer, Pendarvis Farm is transformed by local design teams into a walkable temporary village, with purpose-built stages and gathering spaces woven directly into the surrounding forest. These environments blur the line between artist and audience, from large-scale wooden stage structures to intimate, fern-lined bars and performance pockets. Sustainability is built into the experience, evidenced by Pickathon's long-standing zero-waste operations, reusable serviceware and site-wide composting systems.
Nearly every artist performs two distinct sets on different stages, while a rotating roster of DJs carries momentum between live performances. Beyond the music, Pickathon's tightly curated ecosystem includes literary readings, standup comedy, a family-focused neighborhood with programming for children, and the Curation series, an intimate, 100-seat farm-to-table dining experience hosted on site. A robust wellness offering including yoga, massage, showers and dedicated quiet spaces rounds out an experience built for sustained discovery rather than constant consumption.
For 2026, Pickathon's annual emblem is the frog: joyful, at times a little absurd, and strongest as a chorus of voices, much like the world we're building together.
Comfort by Design
Every ticket holder enjoys the same high standard of comfort: free cold water stations, open-air showers and artist-designed lounging zones tucked into the abundant natural shade of the forest. The festival is a single, unified community where access is open to all and the best view at every stage belongs to whoever arrives first.
Tickets & Playlists
Pickathon 2026 takes place July 30–August 2 at Pendarvis Farm in Happy Valley, Oregon. Early bird tickets are on sale now, with flexible Buy Now, Pay Later options available at checkout. Kids 12 and under attend free; teens 13–17 enjoy half-price admission.
For more information and tickets: www.pickathon.com
