FARMette 2026 · IU South Bend

A day of Hoosier harmony

We can't begin to tell how deep and wonderful this day of community and song felt. South Bend shined.

Tim Easton's keynote left us in awe of his songwriting, his storytelling, and his faith in our capacity as change makers. Our showcase rooms were filled with top notch talent, and our expert panels answered all of our questions and more. They have set the bar high for 2027.

A full day of original music on Saturday, June 6: keynote, panels, private showcases, and an evening of performances. The official evening showcases featured Suzie Vinnick, The Hammer and the Hatchet, and The Temperances. Sunday morning closed the weekend with a brunch show at Chicory Cafe featuring Shiny Shiny Black.

Tim Easton and attendees playing guitars together in a hallway at IU South Bend — Tim Easton and friends, hallway jam. FARMette 2026, IU South Bend

Tim Easton holding his guitar up during the keynote — Keynote speaker Tim Easton. FARMette 2026, South Bend

Tim Easton at the microphone giving the FARMette 2026 keynote — The keynote. FARMette 2026, South Bend

The audience gathered for the keynote — Gathering for the keynote. FARMette 2026, South Bend

A full house for the panels at IU South Bend — A full house for the panels. FARMette 2026, South Bend

Registration in the IU South Bend atrium — Registration in the atrium. FARMette 2026, South Bend

J C Clements and Mike Green beside the FARM banner — J C Clements and Mike Green of FARM. FARMette 2026, South Bend

A band performing in the Fiddler's Hearth private showcase room — Fiddler's Hearth showcase room. FARMette 2026, South Bend

A songwriter performing in The Well Coffeehouse showcase room — The Well Coffeehouse showcase room. FARMette 2026, South Bend

Brandi Hart performing at FARMette 2026 — Brandi Hart. FARMette 2026, South Bend

A duo performing at the evening showcase — Evening showcase. FARMette 2026, South Bend

A duo performing in a private showcase room — Private showcase room. FARMette 2026, South Bend

Doug Harsch at The Well Coffeehouse room table — Doug Harsch, The Well Coffeehouse room. FARMette 2026, South Bend

Shiny Shiny Black performing at the Sunday brunch show at Chicory Cafe — Shiny Shiny Black, Sunday brunch show at Chicory Cafe. FARMette 2026, South Bend

Tim Easton playing at the Sunday brunch show at Chicory Cafe — Tim Easton at the brunch show. FARMette 2026, South Bend

The Sunday brunch crowd at Chicory Cafe — Sunday morning at Chicory Cafe. FARMette 2026, South Bend

The audience at a FARMette 2026 panel — Panel audience. FARMette 2026, South Bend

Navigating Industry Gatherings Like a Pro

Moderated by Marilyn Rea Beyer, host of The Midnight Special and Folkstage on WFMT Chicago and a member of the FAI Folk DJ Hall of Fame. With "Chicago" Mike Beck (ASCAP award winning songwriter and founder of Song Camp Europe), Mike Green (FARM board member and retired booking agent, Mike Green and Associates), Miguel Gonzalez (singer songwriter and FARM board member), and James Curley (author of The Singular Songwriter, FARM board secretary).

DIY Home Studio Best Practices

Moderated by Nate Butler, audio engineer, guitarist in Shiny Shiny Black, and cofounder of Goshen's Nimble Wit Productions. With Ryan Clapper (Senior Sales Engineer, Sweetwater), Kevin Scott Joiner (owner, Vault 36 Recording Studio, Mishawaka), and Doug Harsch (South Bend singer songwriter, thirty years of project studios).

Thank you

Private showcase hosts

Our private showcase hosts gave artists a chance to shine and network. Thank you for supporting original music in Indiana.

Wild Rose MoonPlymouth

Nimble Wit Productions

The Well CoffeehouseSouth Bend

ALMSRichmond

The Music VillageSouth Bend

Pilgrimage WineryCambridge City

Fiddler's HearthSouth Bend

The Irving TheaterIndianapolis

The Space BetweenSouth Bend, hosted by the Thorntons

The Redwood Folk Collective

Sponsors and partners

Al Kniola (Gold); Gail Ginther and Metamora; IU South Bend Office of Campus Events, which also provided the venue; The Well Coffeehouse, which sponsored morning coffee; and the DoubleTree by Hilton South Bend for the room block.

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