Loudoun might be famous for its craft beverages, farm-to-table food and spectacular scenery, but there’s something else the county is known for: live music. Summer might be coming to an end but there’s still music in the air in Loudoun. Here, we select five not-to-miss late-summer music events and experiences to enjoy in Loudoun. Get you dancing shoes on!
868 Estate Vineyards’ 7th Annual LoCo Fest, September 1
Make your way to scenic 868 Estate Vineyards outside Hillsboro on the first Sunday of September for the seventh edition of the winery’s beloved annual LoCo Fest. More than 20 local musicians perform at the event with proceeds going toward equipment for Loudoun musicians. Artists to look out for this year include Laura Cashman, Delta Spur, Todd Brooks & Pour Decisions and Ramona. On top of the good sounds, there will be food trucks, beer from Lost Rhino Brewing Company and wines from 868.
LoCo Wine Festival, September 14-15
Wine and song always go well together and while the wine is the main star of the inaugural LoCo Wine Festival at Old Farm Winery at Hartland on September 14-15, there’s live music all weekend too. While names of performers have not been released yet, expect a stellar line-up of local and regional acts performing in the tasting room and the patio fronting the vines. Visitors will also taste vintages from up to 10 local wineries, shop at a vendor’s market and enjoy food from a selection of food trucks. Come on down!
Crossroads Music Festival Featuring Howard Jones, September 20-21
Eighties pop icon Howard Jones takes centerstage at Tally Ho on September 21 as the big-name headliner of this day-long festival in downtown Leesburg. The party actually starts the evening before at Tally Ho with a performance by East Coast indie folk band Every Echo featuring local stars Emma Rowley and Todd Wright and support from Loudoun country singer Juliana MacDowell. The following day more than 30 artists perform in cafés, bars, restaurants and the town square. Jones, whose hit songs have been featured on cult TV shows Stranger Things and Breaking Bad, bills his performance as "Songs and Stories from the Crossroads with Howard Jones.” An extra treat for music fans? The headliner performance by Howard Jones is a solo performance with interviews between songs— in “fireside chat” style. It’s a music experience you don’t want to miss!
Tarara Summer Concert Series
September 29 is the final show in the wildly popular Tarara Summer Concert Series, a roughly four-month long series of live Saturday concerts. The featured act for the finale is 80s tribute band The Legwarmers, but there’s a music party every Saturday in September at the scenic property on the Potomac River. Check out the hilarious Amish Outlaws on September 21, Southern rock cover band High Noon on September 14 and “yacht rockers” Boat House on September 7. For fans of jazz, swing and The American Songbook, there’s an extra concert on September 1: Scott Hetz Clark with Big Night performing Sinatra and Rat Pack classics. We reckon Ol’ Blue Eyes himself would approve.
Smaller Venues
While the bigger summer concerts may be winding down, music keeps rolling in Loudoun with bands and singer-songwriters performing most weekends at multiple smaller venues. Franklin Park Performing Arts Center in Purcellville hosts its Performing for Dessert classical music series on Sundays through September. Catch pianist Alfred Yunn’s Chick Corea tribute on September 1, and the flute and violin of Juilliard graduates Shawn Wyckoff and Maria Millar in “Sonic Escape, Bach to the Classics,” on September 8. On top of this, multiple Loudoun wineries and breweries including Lost Barrel Brewing, Dirt Farm Brewing and Flying Ace Farm have live music on weekends.
