Renowned Tejano accordionist Flaco Jiménez will once again combine his squeezebox talents with Los Texmaniacs for a special Saturday-night performance at Old Settler’s Music Festival, taking place April 21-24 at Old Settler’s Homestead in Tilmon, Texas. That pairing tops the list of artists rounding out the roster for the festival’s 35th-anniversary celebration, for which single-day tickets and non-camping packages go on sale today (Feb. 15). Camping packages are still on sale at discounted rates, but will go up to full price on March 1.
Latin-funk band Brownout and soul/r&b/gospel artist Sir Woman are among several Austin talents also performing during the four-day festival, along with visiting artists including Houston r&b band the Suffers, Los Angeles roots collective Dustbowl Revival and New Orleans-based soul-pop singer Maggie Belle. Nashville country/roots artist Brennen Leigh will perform on her own and with Austin’s Women of Western Swing.
Nomadic folk-jazz duo Handmade Moments and Minneapolis-based progressive bluegrass band Barbaro are also slated, along with Austin performers Zach Person (rock), American Dreamer (folk/roots); Sour Bridges (“browngrass — like bluegrass, but a little dirtier”); Anthony Garcia (multi-genre); and Elle Townley (country), winner of the 2021 Old Settler’s Youth Talent Competition.
They join previously announced top-tier acts the Del McCoury Band (as artist-in-residence), JJ Grey & Mofro, Railroad Earth, Galactic and Leftover Salmon. Peter Rowan’s Free Mexican Airforce featuring Los Texmaniacs, Steep Canyon Rangers, American Aquarium, We Banjo 3, the California Honeydrops, Sierra Hull and Shinyribs also were announced in January.
The 2022 lineup represents some of the finest talents in roots music, including many Old Settler’s vets who eagerly book return engagements after their first visit. Like Old Settler’s patrons, they’re fans of the festival’s relaxed ambiance, convivial nature and family-friendly environment. They appear on two mainstages — this year operating with staggered times so audiences won’t have to miss any performer — plus a dedicated campground stage. As writer Joe Nick Patoski pointed out in Texas Highways magazine, “You don’t go to Old Settler’s only to see a show. You go to camp out … make new friends and renew old friendships, hang out, and even make your own music when the performing stages are quiet.”
Since moving to the 145-acre Old Settler’s Homestead site in 2018, the festival has continued to make improvements, including fully electrifying its campgrounds with renewable energy, eliminating noisy generators. Other amenities include on-site parking, play areas for children, a variety of food offerings and 30 acres of campground space. Old Settler’s also offers a special teen rate for younger music lovers attending with an adult (student ID required). Children 12 and under attending with an adult are admitted free. For more information about package options and to purchase tickets, visit oldsettlersmusicfest.org and click the “buy tickets” button. (Please note: the tab links to a separate ticketing site.)
The nonprofit festival also nurtures artistic development with its annual Youth Talent Competition, which has helped to launch a few careers, including that of first-year winner — and four-time Grammy winner — Sarah Jarosz. Musicians up to age 18 are invited to compete for cash, a 2023 stage slot, professional mentoring and special recognition. To apply, go to www.oldsettlersmusicfest.org/music/youth-talent.
Old Settler’s Music Festival takes place just 20 minutes from Lockhart and less than an hour from downtown Austin or San Antonio and two hours from Houston (program GPSs for 1616 FM 3158, Dale, Texas 78716).
