Rhiannon Giddens Announces Biscuits & Banjos: A Celebration of Black Roots Music

Celebrated singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens has announced the launch of her own festival, Biscuits & Banjos, set to take place in Durham, North Carolina from April 25-27, 2025. The festival will celebrate Black culture, with a particular emphasis on roots musicians, marking the 20th anniversary of the influential Black Banjo Gathering.

Uniting Generations of Roots Music Trailblazers

Reunion of the Carolina Chocolate Drops

Giddens, a Pulitzer Prize-winning artist, will headline the festival and curate its lineup, which will feature a highly anticipated reunion of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, the groundbreaking, Grammy-winning string band she co-founded with Dom Flemons. The group, which has not performed together since 2014, will reunite with its original 2005 lineup, as well as other members who joined in the years that followed. This reunion set promises to be a highlight of the festival, as it brings together the pioneering voices that have shaped the landscape of roots music.

Diverse Lineup of Roots Music Luminaries

In addition to the Carolina Chocolate Drops reunion, Biscuits & Banjos will feature a diverse lineup of acclaimed roots music artists. Flemons will have his own set, as will another Carolina Chocolate Drops alumnus, Leyla McCalla, who has established a successful solo career. The festival will also welcome the legendary Taj Mahal, jazz great Christian McBride, country favorite Rissi Palmer, the Legendary Ingrammettes, and New Dangerfield. Giddens herself will participate in several performances, showcasing her versatility and collaborating with special guests in a revue-style show.

Celebrating the Legacy of the Black Banjo Gathering

The festival's timing is significant, as it coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Black Banjo Gathering, an event that played a pivotal role in launching the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Giddens, who has a deep personal connection to this milestone, expressed her desire to honor the connections that tie Black culture together through music, food, and storytelling. Biscuits & Banjos aims to bring the same spirit of discovery and community to a new generation of artists and fans.

Immersive Festival Experience

Biscuits & Banjos will offer a multifaceted experience, with lectures, readings, workshops, and food events complementing the musical performances. Unique highlights include a celebrity chef biscuit bake-off, free banjo lessons, and square dances, all within walking distance of one another in downtown Durham. The festival's non-profit status and funding from various organizations and foundations, including the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund, underscores its commitment to celebrating and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Supporting Hurricane Relief Efforts

In a gesture of community support, a portion of the festival's ticket sales and merchandise proceeds will be directed towards hurricane relief efforts in Western North Carolina, a region that has faced significant challenges in recent years. The organizers recognize the long-term nature of the recovery process and aim to contribute to the ongoing efforts to rebuild and restore the affected areas.Biscuits & Banjos promises to be a transformative celebration of Black roots music, bringing together legendary artists, emerging talents, and music enthusiasts from across the country. As Rhiannon Giddens' vision comes to life, the festival will serve as a powerful platform to honor the past, uplift the present, and inspire the future of this rich and enduring musical tradition.