Honored to share one from the North Carolina canon! Elizabeth Cotten wrote “Freight Train” as a young girl, and it has soared across generations as a pillar in the Folk tradition and pioneer in finger-picking.

The idea that hope is going to exist in every generation, every year, every century and every place, even under the most dire of circumstances, is what inspired my new album, Hope Is the Thing with Feathers – out Sept. 18.

We’re having so much fun out here! Love seeing all of you and sharing this music. Heading into the last leg of this tour, see you there: www.rhiannongiddens.com/tour

Great start to the tour this weekend! Thank you Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance & Hopkins Center for the Arts.

Well ok now - so a few years ago now I fell into the podcast world and I've never escaped - I listen to mostly history podcasts every day and I think it's a powerful medium when used correctly.

Thank you DownBeat Magazine for selecting me as your “Beyond Artist of the Year” in the 74th Annual Critics Poll.

Scenes from Silkroad’s Juneteenth celebration in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This free concert was a part of The Smithsonian’s national commemoration of America’s 250th.

‘Hope Is the Thing with Feathers’ is culmination of two decades of music and personal growth. I can’t think of a better way to share it with you, than with the artists who have been by my side for the whole journey.

"It's true that we were younger once And now we’re growing old Maybe we don’t want the things we wanted then Why chase that dollar My baby's got a heart of gold I know that we will find ourselves again" Stream my new single "Carolina Rain" now: rhiannongiddens.lnk.to/hopeisthething

I’m so excited to announce my new album, Hope is the Thing with Feathers - out September 18 on LP, CD and digitally on Nonesuch Records! Pre-order and stream my original song, “Carolina Rain” now: rhiannongiddens.lnk.to/hopeisthething

“Pretty Bird” from Silkroad Ensemble’s dress rehearsal for “Sanctuary: The Power of Resonance and Ritual.” Looking forward to sharing this music all summer – starting tonight in Tulsa, OK! Learn more about this free event: www.visittulsa.com/event/silkro...

I’ll see you in Seattle in just 2 weeks on June 26 at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery with Mary Chapin Carpenter & Hurray for the Riff Raff (duo). Get tickets now: bit.ly/4xlWu77

Less than one month until Mavis Staples and I reunite for American Tunes: Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing! Get tickets: events.seated.com/american-tunes We’ll also be joined by Mary Chapin Carpenter & Hurray for the Riff Raff (duo). See you soon.

It is a true honor to have received the Composers Now Visionary Award! I want to take this moment to advocate for collaboration, and non-traditional composers like myself.

Summer is upon us – it’s time to sing under the stars! Join Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mavis Staples, Hurray for the Riff Raff and myself for this very special celebration of songs that connect generations. Get tickets: events.seated.com/american-tunes

Trying this again. People often ask me what it's like living in Ireland and I always say, lovely people, beautiful land, crappy weather, tragic history - and guess what? Ugly race-based ultra-capitalistic mess hits here too.

My heart breaks - my friend, Oberlin classmate and colleague Limmie Pulliam, who was part of the creation process of my and Michael Abel's opera Omar (he voiced him in the workshops and in this recent concert performance at Oberlin) has transitioned.

We did it! Another sold out night at Carnegie Hall in the books. Thank you to everyone who was a part of my show: The Hidden Soundtrack of America. As I said onstage, WE get to choose the parts of America’s history that we celebrate.

This is my America!! We’ll see you tomorrow night (5/7) at Carnegie Hall - tickets are almost sold out. Get yours: www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2026/05/08/Rhiannon-Giddens-0800PM

We’re heading to the UK/Europe! Artist Presale starts tomorrow* Sign up and be the first to get access: laylo.com/rhiannongiddens/m/T7p3Nh It means a lot to return and share this music - can’t wait to see old and new friends along the way. Grab your tickets now and we’ll see you there.

Y’all have been asking about what’s next for Biscuits and Banjos, and I’m so glad we can finally share it with you! Introducing: the Biscuits & Banjos Foundation! Join us in celebrating the African diaspora's role in shaping American identity and culture through music, literature, food & community.

Yesterday proves that it doesn’t have to be a weekend festival to have a weekend impact. Our single day programming was so successful and so many local people came out! I was so happy to feel the Biscuits and Banjos vibe on the streets of Durham again.

Biscuits & Banjos is now featured at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in their ‘American Currents’ exhibit! Such a full circle moment to look back as we prepare for Biscuits & Banjos Presents: Beloved Community this Sunday and Monday.

Biscuits and Banjos Festival Presents: Beloved Community is next weekend! Join us on 4/26 for a full day of Free Community Programming, and 4/27 for a show at DPAC featuring my band, Mavis Staples, Blind Boys of Alabama, Rissi Palmer, and Toshi Reagon.

That’s a wrap on Silkroad Ensemble’s Sanctuary Tour!

Join us on April 26 at The Fruit in Durham, NC for a day of FREE music, storytelling and workshops! Learn more: www.biscuitsandbanjos.com/community-programming RSVP: bit.ly/3NLoYoO RSVP is required for all events at The Fruit as space is limited. Entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

We’re giving away a trip for one winner and their guest to join me in Durham for my Beloved Community concert + a signed Martin Guitar!

Silkroad Ensemble's Sanctuary Tour has truly been a transformative experience so far. An honor to perform with these musicians and break down the barriers between audience and performer. We're on tour for the rest of the month, and have lots of free community engagement events surrounding the shows.

It’s almost that time again! Here’s where you can find me this summer. Looking forward to gathering and keeping this music in our hearts. Additionally, Fan Presale for San Francisco, Wilmington and Bar Harbor are live tomorrow at 10am ET. Sign up and get tickets: rhiannongiddens.com/tour