For the second year, Iowa City’s selection of venues will be hosting the Iowa City Songwriter’s Festival on November 5-7. Here are the standouts for the weekend!
Wednesday
Willis Alan Ramsey at The James Theater (7:30p)
One album was all Willis Alan Ramsey needed to make a big splash in the Texas country scene, and it has carried it through the next five decades. Earning the honor of a cover from the likes of Lyle Lovett, America, and Eric Clapton, he is your favorite artist’s favorite artist. Although his guitar playing is a joy, the lyrics are what brings him to Iowa City Songwriter’s Festival. With support from Iowa City local Sam Knutson, this is the perfect way to kick off a weekend of excellent music and storytelling.
Thursday
Craig Finn at Trumpet Blossom (9:00-10:00p)
Frontman of The Hold Steady, Craig Finn, has turned down the distortion on his amp for his seventh solo record Always Been. This narrative driven and piano led album has continued Finn’s picturesque songs about heartbreak and the American experience. I delved into the characters on this record and the writing style last December with Finn which you can listen to here. With shades of Shane MacGowan and Bruce Springsteen, the Minnesota native will not only be performing on Thursday night but be the artist in residence for the festival.
Native American singer Samantha Crain will be opening up for Craig Finn on the heels of her 2025 record Gumshoe. The album flaunts this all embracing sound and feeling that many artists strive for. Crain will be playing from 8:00-8:40.
A Discussion with Lucinda Williams at The Englert (8:00-9:00p)
The Friday night headliner will be in Iowa City a night earlier, striking up conversation in the Englert with Hannah Bonner who has a MA in Film Studies and a MFA in Creative Nonfiction from the University of Iowa. This event is free and open to the public!
Chicago Farmer, Simon Cropp and Songwriter Round at Black Angel (5:00-11:00p)
Although from Delavan, Illinois Cody Deikhoff has always had an affinity for the second city and its music. Citing former Maywood mailman John Prine as a key influence, Chicago Farmer’s folky and grounded sound has no excess than the “three chords and the truth”. Farmer’s latest record, Homeaid, released in March of this year. Chicago Farmer performs 10:00-11:00p.
Simon Cropp continues the folk streak, singing lullaby’s and telling stories from two and a half hours north of Iowa City in Decorah. He is no stranger to town, performing at Wildwood and the Iowa City Arts Festival in the past. Cropp’s return comes with a new albu, under his belt, 2025’s Paperback Dream. Cropp will perform 9:00-9:50p.
The songwriter roundtable taking place to begin the evening stars artists Joel Worford, Denny Richards, Kane Kyrie Edwards to discuss the makings of music and the complexness of writing. This inside look into songwriters minds will take place 5:00-6:00p.
Friday
Lucinda Williams at The Englert (8:50-10:00p)
In her third appearance at The Englert, Lucinda Williams brings her excellent band to Iowa City on her World’s Gone Wrong Tour. Hitting the road all fall in support of the record sharing the same name as the tour, it has been touted as a genuine, no frills performance that is driven forward by Williams poetry. Williams is a three time Grammy Award winner and has no signs of slowing down. Whether it is original tunes or her cover records of Tom Petty and The Beatles, an artist running at her pace is impressive, let alone at her age.
Lucinda Williams will be support by University of Iowa alumni Elizabeth Moen, who has been a favorite of the local scene for over a decade. Now based in Chicago, Moen channels the storytelling and rocking combo of Springsteen, even covering the title track of his 1978 album Darkness on the Edge of Town. This combination of Moen and Williams is a privilige to have come to The Englert and is a can’t miss, Moen will perform at 8:00p.
Dan Wriggins and Olivia Ellen Lloyd at The James Theatre (6:00-7:30p)
Dan Wriggins is arguably a writer first, long before any songs come in to play. Wriggins’ name may ring a bell if you are familiar with the band Friendship, an indie rock outfit from Philadelphia who just released their fourth record Caveman Wakes Up last year. While that front has been busy, Wriggins’ solo work has been quiet since 2021, but released a collection of poems entitled Prince of Grass in 2024. Wriggins’ writings, whether with his guitar, a full backing band, or just pen and paper, invite you into a world that he creates but is not always in control of, letting these ideas and stories take you there.
The Appalachia raised twang you’ll be hearing before Wriggins is Olivia Ellen Lloyd. The influences are clear with John Prine and Courtney Marie Andrews being tapped as some of the greatest in the eyes of Lloyd, who after only two albums, has begun to break into the folk scene, even opening up for Tommy Prine. Lloyd’s second record Do It Myself keeps walking down the road of open and warm lyrics, she goes on at 6:00p.
Nathan Graham and Todd Partridge at The Black Angel (9:00-10:00p)
Nathan Graham has been making waves in Chicago, playing everywhere from the recently opened Bookclub to the Obama Presidential Museum. Graham’s love of music has been decades in the work, beginning to play guitar at 13 while growing up going to gigs across the city. A lively performance from Graham on Jam in the Van sold me fully on his music. His record Saint of Second Chances was a fresh touch of blues rock and folk, Graham’s set is one to take in fully with a clear mind.
Todd Partridge has been very active across the state for over two decades. He calls Auburn, Iowa home and you can hear the plains in his songs. Taking from blues, country, and the world he grew up in, Partridge has put out 11 albums between his bands and solo work.
Shows at The Black Angel on Friday are free and open to the public!
Saturday
Hurray For The Riff Raff (duo) at The Englert Theatre (9:10-10:00p)
Alynda Mariposa Segarra has refined their incredible touch on indie rock over the past 18 years. Touring with Bright Eyes, Waxahatchee and countless other alternative legends, there is good reason Segarra has gotten the blessing from all of them. The 2024 record The Past Is Still Alive is a beautiful and reflective record that feels like a campfire story from your favorite uncle. Songs about loves earned and lost, journeys far away and happenings on a front porch, it feels insightful into the American experience of a lost era. This Mission Creek Festival alumni is a treat to have return with a special duo set.
Fred Eaglesmith at Gabe’s (11:00-12:00a)
Although many a band name has been behind Fred Eaglesmith as he plays, this multi-genre guru has been at the helm of some of Canada’s best folk, bluegrass, and rock for the past four decades. From the farms in Ontario to stages across North America, Eaglesmith uses the same chords he learned at 12 years old today. Fred sings stories of hard work, hard times, and hard living from his own experiences and tales of others.
Social Cig and Twin River at PS1 Cloud House (6:00p)
Although an unofficial part of the festival, Milwaukee favorites Social Cig are stepping into PS1 on a weekender in the midwest. This show was booked by community members and has local University of Iowa favorites Twin River opening up for them. Social Cig has had a busy stretch, helping the Brewers kick off their World Series run at a pre-show and has been a figure in Wisconsin for years. Whether its Summerfest or any of the UW’s, Social Cig has played it. This skate-indie rock sound is a great way to kick off the final night of the festival. Get there early for Twin River, a must see rock group whose house shows have blown up this semester, garnering hundreds of faces in whatever backyard they can all fit in.
Iowa City Songwriter’s Festival is another poignant display of the passion and love Iowa City has for the arts. There are lots of other free events throughout the community and gigs included in festival passes happening Passes are still available for the festival and individual shows. You can find tickets and more info here!
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