Your Roots Are Showing 2025: An Irish Folk Music Gathering to Remember
Well now, that was something special. Your Roots Are Showing 2025 just wrapped up, and if you weren’t there, you missed a week full of incredible music, warm conversations, and more than a few late-night sessions that’ll be talked about for years to come. With over 1,000 folks from all corners of the world, 100 showcase acts, and some of the finest minds in the business coming together, this wasn’t just an event—it was a proper gathering of the folk family.
Kicking Off with a Bang – FOLK iN FUSION
We kicked things off with a cracker of an opening concert, FOLK iN FUSION, and let me tell you, the energy in the room was unreal. Grammy winners Ron Block, Peter Rowan, and Rhiannon Giddens took the stage alongside the legendary Dirk Powell, Liam Ó Maonlaí, our very own co-founder Brendan McCreanor, fiddler Gerry O’Connor, Amelia Powell, Kenny Sharp and Brown Liquor Music, Enda Scahill, and the phenomenal Irish Championship Dancer David Geaney.
It was a night filled with jaw-dropping musicianship, spontaneous collaborations, and moments that felt like pure magic. And in a truly fitting highlight, Peter Rowan received the first-ever Your Roots Are Showing Lifetime Achievement Award—a moment that brought the house down in the best way possible.
In Conversation: Peter Rowan x Anna Kline
This year, Anna Kline from IBMA sat down with bluegrass legend Peter Rowan for an ‘In Conversation’ session that felt more like a fireside chat than an interview. Peter shared stories from his days with Bill Monroe, mused on the ever-changing world of folk and bluegrass, and had the whole room hanging on his every word.
Panels, Keynotes & Plenty of Wisdom
Rhiannon Giddens took the stage for the keynote, and what a moment that was. She spoke about the deep roots of folk and banjo music, the activism woven into these traditions, and the power of music to challenge, heal, and inspire. It was the kind of talk that lingers in your mind long after it’s over.
The panels were buzzing all week, covering everything from touring without losing your mind, getting festival bookings, social media that doesn’t make you cringe, and how to get your music into films and TV. And those pre-conference ‘How to Showcase’ webinars? Absolute lifesavers. More than a few artists walked away with new contacts, new ideas, and a fresh plan for the year ahead.
The Gig Fair: Making Things Happen
Forget stiff, awkward networking—the Gig Fair was where the real action happened. Artists got proper face-to-face time with festival bookers, venue programmers, and industry folks who actually make things happen. Some walked away with gigs booked, others with new relationships that could turn into something special down the road. Either way, it was the place to be, and we have a feeling next year, even more folks will be lining up for it.
Looking Ahead
If one thing’s certain, it’s that Your Roots Are Showing has become the spot for musicians, industry heads, and fans to come together, share stories, and make real connections. We’re already thinking about next year and we hope you are too.
Until then, keep the tunes alive, keep the sessions going, and we’ll see you in 2026!
Comments