Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on 2026-03-19
There’s a raw honesty to Jesse Welles that feels pulled straight from the American soil—songs shaped by lived experience, hard truths, and a stubborn belief that music still matters. On Saturday, August 15, 2026, Welles brings that spirit to Colorado as part of his Red Tour 2026, taking the stage at the Dillon Amphitheater with special guests Ratboys.
Tickets go on sale Friday, March 27 at 10AM MT.
Event Details:
Saturday, August 15, 2026
Dillon Amphitheater
135 W Lodgepole St, Dillon, CO
With special guest Ratboys
Tickets:
Purchase Tickets
Jesse Welles unassumingly carries forward the tradition of the traveling troubadour—relaying the news, putting pain into words, and finding moments of healing through humor. His songs speak directly to a divided country, addressing inequality and injustice while cutting through the noise to get at something real. Whether performing in front of a packed room or alone in the Arkansas wilderness with only a phone camera, Welles delivers music that resonates far beyond the moment.
Following tens of millions of streams and widespread acclaim from outlets including Rolling Stone and The New York Times, the singer-songwriter continues to evolve with his 2025 full-length album Middle. “Breathe to write, write to breathe,” Welles says. “Humans are meant to create, so I’m gonna create music and keep releasing it constantly.”
Welles calls Ozark, Arkansas home, where his early musical roots were shaped by family and discovery. His grandfather introduced him to The Beatles, while a $56 guitar from Walmart became the tool that would define his path. He immersed himself in the music of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and Woody Guthrie, absorbing the storytelling traditions that would later define his own voice.
After relocating to Nashville, Welles formed his band and spent years on the road, playing nearly 300 shows in a single year alongside acts like Royal Blood, Highly Suspect, Greta Van Fleet, and Dead Sara. When the pandemic upended that momentum, he returned to Arkansas, where a turning point came during his father’s health crisis in 2024.
Armed with a guitar and a tripod, Welles began posting stripped-down performances from the Ozarks, quickly building a following of over one million on Instagram. Songs like “Cancer,” “Fentanyl,” and “War Isn’t Murder” struck a chord with listeners seeking authenticity in a chaotic time. That creative surge led to multiple album releases and sold-out headline tours, culminating in the widely praised single “United Health,” which Rolling Stone described as “a John Prine-like ballad.”
With Middle and its lead single “Horses,” Welles continues to push forward. “It’s a pro-love song,” he explains. “Fear leads to hate. Hate leads to all kinds of atrocities. You build up walls. If you love everyone, it’s a lot easier on you—and everybody else too. Hate is a whip for the mule. Nobody gets nutrition from it.”
That philosophy carries through everything he creates. “If my music helps you believe you can make art and tell the world how you feel, there would be nothing better,” he adds. “I hope you get those paints out of the garage or fill up your journal. Turn on your phone and say what you gotta say.”
As Red Tour 2026 rolls into Dillon, audiences can expect an evening rooted in truth, connection, and the enduring power of song—music that doesn’t just entertain, but challenges, comforts, and inspires.
For more information, visit dillonamp.com.
