Festival artist
Trampled by Turtles
Duluth bluegrass at speed — Saturday headliner at the Arches Amphitheater
When
Sat · Aug 1
Stage
Arches Amphitheater
Genre
Bluegrass / Folk
Home
Duluth, MN
Trampled by Turtles are a Duluth, Minnesota string band formed in 2003, built around frontman Dave Simonett's songwriting and the band's signature blend of traditional bluegrass picking with indie rock intensity. They're known for high-energy live shows where the speed and precision of their acoustic instruments — fiddle, banjo, mandolin, upright bass, guitars — creates an almost electric atmosphere. At Salmonfest 2026 they headline the Arches Amphitheater on Saturday, August 1.
What to expect live
Trampled by Turtles live shows are loud by acoustic standards — the band plays with intensity and precision, building songs from quiet introspection to full-band picking frenzies. 'Wait So Long' and 'Alone' are the anthems; the crowd usually knows every word.
The bluegrass lineage
The band draws from traditional bluegrass — Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Flatt and Scruggs — but filters it through a Duluth sensibility that leans into darkness, longing, and the Upper Midwest winter. They're one of the bands credited with the broader Americana and folk revival of the 2000s.
Why they fit Salmonfest
Salmonfest has a roots-music backbone — folk, bluegrass, Americana — and Trampled by Turtles are one of the genres' premiere live acts. The outdoor amphitheater setting and the Alaska festival crowd make for a natural match.
Pro tip
Get to the Arches Amphitheater early to secure a good viewing spot — TBT's Saturday slot draws the biggest single-act crowd of the weekend.
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