At Unplugged Live Radio, the mission has never wavered: every song aired comes directly from an authentic Unplugged Live performance—no studio polish, no overdubs, no shortcuts. Just real voices, real instruments, and real moments captured on stage. As we close out 2025 and look toward early 2026, the acoustic and folk world is experiencing a powerful resurgence, fueled by landmark album releases, major tour announcements, and a packed calendar of intimate live performances. It is a perfect moment for Unplugged Live to do what it does best—spotlight the raw, human side of music.
Late 2025 has already delivered significant developments across the acoustic landscape. Alison Krauss & Union Station returned with Arcadia, a new album that reinforces their enduring influence on modern acoustic and roots music. Decades into their career, the group continues to set the bar for precision, emotional depth, and live performance excellence—qualities that resonate deeply with the Unplugged Live ethos.
Sierra Hull, one of the most technically gifted and forward-thinking mandolinists of her generation, has also been in the spotlight. Her recent feature in Acoustic Guitar offered a masterclass-level discussion on artistic evolution, technique, and songwriting maturity. Hull’s live performances—always intricate yet emotionally direct—remain essential listening for acoustic fans who appreciate musicianship without compromise.
On the touring front, Get The Led Out (GTLO), widely known as “The American Led Zeppelin,” has announced an extensive 2026 tour that includes a special acoustic-focused set built around deep cuts. Their April 2026 stop at the Collingswood Grand Ballroom promises stripped-down arrangements that highlight nuance and dynamics rather than sheer volume—exactly the kind of reinterpretation Unplugged Live listeners gravitate toward.
Iration, blending reggae rhythms with acoustic sensibility, is preparing for their 2026 Where It All Began Summer Tour alongside Tribal Seeds. While known for energetic live shows, their acoustic moments reveal a melodic and rhythmic intimacy that translates powerfully in unplugged settings.
Closer to home, the regional acoustic circuit is thriving through the holiday season and into the new year. Melissa and Pete will bring an “Acoustic Holiday Jam” to Double Nickel Brewing Company in Pennsauken, New Jersey, on December 26, 2025—a perfect post-holiday gathering rooted in harmony and warmth. Camille Peruto blends folk, pop, and rock influences during her live set at Bogey’s in Sewell, New Jersey, also on December 26, delivering emotionally driven songs that shine brightest in acoustic form.
Nicki Sbaffoni’s “Sippin’ Saturday Acoustic Requests” at White Horse Winery on December 27 offers a listener-driven experience that reinforces the communal nature of unplugged music. As December turns into January, The Felice Brothers take the stage at Brooklyn Bowl on January 2, 2026, for a performance leaning heavily into their acoustic roots—storytelling songs that feel lived-in and timeless. That same night, Acoustic Soul continues its monthly residency at Summit City Farms & Winery, reinforcing how consistent live acoustic programming builds genuine music communities.
Listening-room venues remain the backbone of the unplugged ecosystem. New Jersey’s Folk Project continues its revered Troubadour Acoustic Concert Series into 2026, providing one of the most respected stages for serious acoustic performers in the region. Brooklyn’s Voices In The Heights maintains its reputation as a singer-songwriter haven, while City Winery New York City carries a full slate of acoustic brunches and evening shows throughout the holiday season and beyond, blending world-class sound with intimate settings.
Looking ahead to spring 2026, the festival calendar underscores just how strong live acoustic music remains. MerleFest, scheduled for April 23–26, 2026, returns as a cornerstone event with a lineup that includes Alison Krauss & Union Station, Old Crow Medicine Show performing Big Iron World in full for its 20th anniversary, Molly Tuttle, and Sam Bush. Old Settler’s Music Festival in Texas follows closely behind with Railroad Earth, The Brothers Comatose, and The Last Revel anchoring its 2026 edition.
Suwannee Spring Reunion in Florida continues its legacy as a premier roots and bluegrass gathering, while the Baltimore Old Time Music Festival offers an intimate setting featuring artists such as Rhiannon Giddens and Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton. The Savannah Music Festival rounds out the season with a cross-genre celebration known for its consistently high-caliber acoustic programming.
Internationally, the unplugged tradition remains equally vibrant. The Shetland Folk Festival, Todmorden Folk Festival, Whitchurch Folk Festival, and Lost in the Hills Festival all return in spring 2026, each offering distinct regional perspectives on traditional and contemporary folk music.
This is the world Unplugged Live Radio exists to serve. Every broadcast pulls directly from live, unplugged performances—moments where songs breathe, musicians connect, and audiences listen closely. As acoustic music continues to thrive across stages large and small, Unplugged Live remains a dedicated home for listeners who value authenticity above all else.
For weekly updates, live acoustic discoveries, and performances that strip music back to its essential core, Unplugged Live Radio continues to be the destination—where every song tells its story exactly as it was played, live and unplugged.