PREVIEW: Ella Langley, Sam Barber and Tucker Wetmore Take Over the Fairpark for RedWest 2026
PREVIEW
PREVIEW
☆ BY ELIJAH CLOWER ☆
RedWest is back for year three, and this time it’s two days of country music at the Utah State Fairpark on Friday and Saturday. Last year Post Malone, Noah Kahan and Kacey Musgraves sat at the top of the poster. For 2026 the festival went a different way and handed the top spots to artists who have been climbing fast, a few of whom were already here last October a little lower on the bill. That makes this year feel like a bit of a graduation, and honestly that’s a fun story to watch play out.
Ella Langley is the best example of that. She played RedWest in 2025 and now she’s closing out Friday night, which makes a lot of sense after the run she’s had since “you look like you love me.” Right under her is Shaboozey, and good luck finding anyone in that crowd who doesn’t know every word to “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” Koe Wetzel brings the rowdier side of the day, so if you’ve seen one of his shows before you already know the front of the stage is going to get loud. Max McNown and Michael Marcagi are both worth getting there early for, with Sons of Legion, Tyler Nance, Tyce Delk, The Logan Ryan Band, Paige Fish and Slater Nalley filling out the afternoon.
Saturday belongs to Sam Barber and Tucker Wetmore as co-headliners. Barber is another returning face from last year, and that voice on “Straight and Narrow” is going to hit even harder as the sun goes down behind the mountains. Wetmore has been on a steady rise since “Wine Into Whiskey,” so pairing the two on the same night feels like a good call. The Wyatt Flores and Cameron Whitcomb stretch could end up being the sleeper highlight of the weekend, with Ashley Cooke, Stella Lefty, The Jack Wharff Band, Late Night Thoughts, Rattlesnake Milk, Jason Scott & The High Heat and Joe Jordan rounding out the day.
The Acoustic Sessions stage is back for both days if you want a quieter break from the main stages, and VIP+ holders get their own stage on top of that. The weekend actually starts Thursday night (October 15) with a pre-party at the Fairgrounds headlined by Chase Rice, along with McCoy Moore, Landon Wilks, Cody Lohden and a late night DJ set from Country Night. Doors are at 5 PM. It’s included for VIP, VIP+ and alumni ticket buyers, and anyone else with a festival wristband can add it on.
Set times are up now on the RedWest site and app, so plan your day before you head out. GA, GA+, VIP and VIP+ passes are still available along with a limited run of single day tickets, and the festival only recognizes tickets bought through RedWestSLC.com or its resale partner Tixel. If you bought after October 1, your wristband is waiting at Will Call by the GA entrance. Keep that wristband on between days, because a cut or stretched one won’t get you back in. The whole festival is cashless, bags need to be clear and no bigger than 12" x 12" x 6", and chairs and blankets aren’t allowed, so plan on standing. Bring an empty water bottle for the free refill stations. Re-entry is allowed, and kids 6 and under get into GA free with a photo of their birth certificate. Parking isn’t included with any ticket and should be bought ahead of time, with no overnight parking, so the TRAX Green Line to the Fairpark station might be the easier move.
Bring a jacket, because Salt Lake nights in October don’t play around. See you at the Fairpark.
