Get Ready for the Artown 2026 Headliners!

Published May 29, 2026

Get Ready for the Artown 2026 Headliners!

by Beth Macmillan

Artown has a fantastic lineup of Headliner Concerts which are held at Bartley Ranch Regional Park throughout July. For all these performances, the gates open at 6:30pm and shows begin at 8pm.

Performers are selected for their artistic excellence and relevance, and provide attendees with a rare, up-close and personal experience at our area’s magnificent outdoor venue, the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater.

July shows include:

Thursday, July 2

DIRECT FROM SWEDEN: THE MUSIC OF ABBA

The Music of ABBA are no strangers to the incomparable sound and look of Sweden’s greatest music export, and with meticulous attention to costumes, makeup, musical arrangements, dance, sing along and enjoy hits such as Dancing Queen, Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Fernando, SOS, Take a Chance on Me, Knowing Me Knowing You, and many more. Direct from Sweden, The Music of ABBA will deliver an ABBA experience you'll never forget with some of Sweden's most experienced and talented singers and musicians; the audience will be on their feet the entire show!

Filer image element — **MICHAEL FEINSTEIN**

Tuesday, July 7

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN IN BECAUSE OF YOU: MY TRIBUTE TO TONY BENNETT FEATURING THE CARNEGIE HALL ENSEMBLE

Feinstein brings to life the Big Band Celebrations and the Tony Bennett legacy like no other. Supported by the Carnegie Hall Ensemble, Feinstein pays a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Tony Bennett, bringing his iconic songs to life in a symphony of sound. The performance will feature hits such as Because of You, Rags to Riches, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, The Best is Yet To Come, I Get a Kick Out of You, Stranger in Paradise and many more.

Thursday, July 9

THE KRONOS QUARTET

For over five decades, Kronos has redefined the possibilities of the string quartet, transforming it into a dynamic vehicle for innovation, cultural storytelling, and social reflection. Their trailblazing spirit continues to shape the future of the artform with new voices, bold ideas, and boundary-breaking performances. Kronos has been at the forefront of revolutionizing the string quartet into a living art form. Today, with new voices and renewed vision, Kronos continues to forge the sound of the people.

Friday, July 10

AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH WYNTON MARSALIS

Wynton Marsalis, a living legend, has been described as the most outstanding jazz musician and trumpeter of his generation, as one of the world's top classical trumpeters, as a big band leader, a brilliant composer, a devoted advocate for the Arts and a tireless and inspiring educator. His life is a portrait of discipline, dedication, sacrifice, and creative accomplishment. According to Marsalis, what you hear in a great jazz band is the sound of democracy. Through jazz music, Wynton Marsalis represents America through his tours which go all over the world.

Sunday, July 12

GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA

Glenn Miller's first orchestra was a failure, but he knew what he wanted and worked relentlessly to succeed. In March 1938, he launched his second band, the one that would become legendary, and it has been a hit ever since. Miller rose to fame as one of the most successful dance bandleaders of the Swing Era, with hit records, radio broadcasts, and sold-out performances at theaters, hotels, and dance halls. In 1942, at the height of his popularity, he disbanded the orchestra to volunteer for the Army, forming the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band to entertain troops in Europe. On December 15, 1944, Major Miller disappeared over the English Channel in a single-engine plane and was officially declared dead a year later. The 1954 release of The Glenn Miller Story starring Jimmy Stewart renewed public demand, leading the Miller Estate to form the Glenn Miller Orchestra, which performed its first concert on June 6, 1956. Just as in Glenn's day, the orchestra remains one of the world's most sought-after big bands.

Tuesday, July 21

BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA

Featuring songs from Stevie Wonder’s ground-breaking 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life, the Blind Boys of Alabama are recognized worldwide as gospel legends. Honored by the NEA and The Recording Academy/GRAMMYs with Lifetime Achievement Awards, inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and winners of six GRAMMY® Awards, their career spans over 70 years. Known for crossing musical boundaries, they perform traditional gospel and contemporary songs. In March 2024, the book Spirit of the Century was released, chronicling the untold story of America's longest-running gospel group with insights from band members and colleagues. Appearances in several major media outlets followed. After all these years, the Blind Boys continue to inspire audiences worldwide.

Thursday, July 23

STEEP CANYON RANGERS

Steep Canyon Rangers arrive at a moment of renewal and reaffirmation with Next Act, their 15th studio album that was released May 22, 2026. The record represents a conscious tightening of focus: a return to the bluegrass foundations that first bound the band together, approached with the confidence and emotional range earned through years of collective evolution. It is an affirmation that bluegrass still contains endless expressive possibilities. Next Act finds the Rangers sounding deeply at home in their own musical language, drawing strength from tradition while continuing to write new chapters within it. Formed in North Carolina and shaped equally by the Appalachian Mountains and the Piedmont, Steep Canyon Rangers have long occupied a singular space in American roots music.

We’re delighted to bring these artists to northern Nevada, and we believe you will thoroughly enjoy these performances. Get your tickets fast, as this relatively small venue tends to sell out quickly.

Beth Macmillan is the Executive Director of Artown, one of the largest arts and culture festivals in the western United States, offering over 500 events with a wide range of artistic disciplines, including music, dance, theater, visual arts, literature, and more.

Get Ready for the Artown 2026 Headliners!

Published May 29, 2026