Crowds flock to Florence for ShoalsFest return [PHOTOS]

Jason Isbell’s hometown music festival returned to the banks of the Tennessee River for the first time since 2022 with a lineup mixing folk, rock and Americana music.

Crowds came together at McFarland Park, bringing chairs, blankets + even some showing up in boats for the two-day event that featured performances from:

• Jason Isbell + the 400 Unit
• Jackson Browne
• Patterson Hood
• Waxahatchee
• MJ Lenderman
• Garrison Starr

“I’m really proud that we have ShoalsFest here. It makes me feel good to see people from my hometown all enjoying internationally touring acts, legends, people in the Hall of Fame… It’s going to be a celebration. My set that night with my band, my friends and my family around, it’s going to be a celebration of where we come from and of all the people who have made us what we are.”

Jason Isbell before the festival

Keep reading to see more highlights from the festival + check out plenty of our favorite photos from the weekend.

Jason Isbell + the 400 Unit

Jason Isbell played both nights of the festival, joining Patterson Hood and Chris Tompkins for an acoustic set on night one before wrapping up the weekend by playing a set with his band, the 400 Unit.

Sunday’s setlist had a specific Alabama theme, maybe even more so than the usual home-state show from Isbell. He opened with Crimson and Clay, a song about his roots in the state.

Some other notable songs from the set included:

• Speed Trap Town
• Stockholm
• Cast Iron Skillet
• Ride to Roberts
• Alabama Pines
• Decoration Day (with Patterson Hood)

“It is my honor to have all of y’all in the crowd, thank you for doing this. I know it’s not easy to make the arrangements and come to the show but you did it and I’m grateful for each and every one of you.”

Jason Isbell to the crowd during his set Sunday

While Isbell might have brought the biggest crowd of the weekend, other artists certainly had strong fanbases in attendance.

Jackson Browne played his first show in Alabama since 2023 when he played at the Alabama Theatre. He capped off Saturday’s lineup which also included Chris Tompkins, Patterson Hood, Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham and Garrison Starr.

“Don’t want to get ahead of myself but it’s looking like it’s going to be the best day ever.”

MJ Lenderman

MJ Lenderman and The Wind + Waxahatchee took the stage Sunday, bringing a new mix of fans to the crowd. Katie Crutchfield, a Birmingham native, joined MJ Lenderman for a couple of songs before the latter returned the favor during Waxahatchee’s set.

Crutchfield took time out of her set to speak about Jason Isbell’s impact on Alabama, being a role model for many people who have grown up in Alabama.

2026 ShoalsFest?

Before the weekend ended, Isbell dropped just a few words that got a huge cheer from the crowd.

“See y’all next year.”

While no official announcement has been made, that was enough of a sign to get the crowd’s hopes up for a return to McFarland Park next fall.

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