There’s something undeniably special about a weekend tucked away in the hills of Driftless Music Gardens, and this year’s Bonfire Music & Arts Festival was no exception. From June 12 – 14 in Yuba, Wisconsin, music lovers gathered under sunny skies and starry nights for three days of pure, unfiltered joy. With a fantastic lineup headlined by Railroad Earth, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, People Brothers Band, and Heatbox, the weekend became one long, beautiful jam session. Each evening was punctuated by laughter, hugs, dancing, and sunset shows that felt pulled from a dream.
The fest kicked off Thursday night with a warm welcome from the land itself. Rolling green hills cradle the grounds, and the weather played nice all weekend. The vibe was light, open, and buzzing with excitement. Feed the Dog got the groove flowing early, blending folk, rock, and Americana with jam-band improvisation. Next up, Heatbox unleashed his signature beat-box wizardry and hilarious comedy, packing the set with those “you had to be there” moments that longtime fans know so well.
Night 2 featured bands many consider family at DMG. Horseshoes & Hand Grenades had everyone singing along during a perfect golden-hour set. Sun Stereo followed with a performance nobody should have missed, and People Brothers Band delivered a show equal parts heartfelt and high-energy—truly a family reunion in musical form. Salty Dog then closed out Friday’s fun on the Campground Stage in style.
Saturday brought the most anticipation, and the whole day was filled with heavy hitters. The Foxgloves opened, and Sugar Lads followed with one of the weekend’s most entertaining sets. As the sun dipped behind the hills, People Brothers Band stepped into the golden-hour glow and delivered a second set that felt like storytelling in stereo. After a tent-jamboree from Mr Blotto, the main headliner, Railroad Earth, took the stage. Their mix of bluegrass, Americana, and jam-band magic cast a spell over the valley—people swayed, arms around friends, hearts wide open. It was everything the crowd had hoped for.
Every band brought homegrown charm and a deep love for music, grounding the weekend in the spirit that makes Bonfire special: connection, release, and a reminder of what it means simply to exist. Nothing compares to sitting around a Driftless bonfire at the end of a festival day.
Between sets, festivalgoers lounged at campsites, danced in the grass, blew bubbles with kids, and wandered between food trucks and art installations. Everywhere you looked, smiles bloomed, spontaneous hugs erupted, and strangers became friends. Bonfire kicks off the legendary summers at Driftless Music Gardens—so be sure to catch one of their many upcoming shows and festivals this year. Don’t miss out!
