Enjoy The “Mu-aushups” At Word Of South Festival

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Word of South Festival, a celebration of literature and music, is thrilled to announce that the iconic band Earth, Wind & Fire will headline the 2026 festival with a special ticketed performance on Friday, April 24, at the Adderley Amphitheater in Cascades Park. The performance will serve as the official kickoff to the festival weekend, which runs April 24 – 26, 2026.

With a career spanning over five decades, Earth, Wind & Fire has become one of the most celebrated and influential musical groups of all time. Formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969, the band’s groundbreaking sound spans multiple genres — including jazz, R&B, soul, funk, disco, pop, Latin, and Afro-pop — and has helped define the modern musical landscape. With over 90 million records sold worldwide, Earth, Wind & Fire ranks among the best-selling bands of all time. Known for timeless hits such as “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Let’s Groove,” and “Shining Star,” their signature fusion of uplifting rhythm, powerful vocals, and dynamic horn arrangements has inspired generations and continues to unite audiences around the world. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, the band’s legacy of joy, creativity, and connection endures through every electrifying performance.

Tickets for this highly anticipated performance are now on sale and can be purchased online at wordofsouthfestival.com/tickets.

“Earth, Wind & Fire represents everything we love about bringing people together through art and music,” said Sara Marchessault, Word of South Festival Director. “Their music has inspired generations and transcended genres, much like the Word of South Festival itself. We couldn’t imagine a better way to kick off our 2026 weekend than with their legendary sound filling Cascades Park.”

Since its inception in 2015, the Word of South Festival has become a vibrant gathering that explores the intersection of literature and music. Each year, the festival brings together a diverse lineup of authors, musicians, and creative performers to showcase the inspiring connection between these art forms. In addition to the headlining performance, the 2026 festival will feature a wide variety of musical genres, from gospel and hip-hop to bluegrass, jazz, Americana, R&B, and beyond. Special events will also include family-friendly programming and unique “mu-aushups” — collaborative performances where authors and musicians swap roles and create new work together.

The Word of South Festival is made possible in part through the support of the City of Tallahassee, Leon County, and Visit Tallahassee. These local partners play an integral role in the festival’s success, helping to highlight Tallahassee as a hub for arts and culture.

Don’t miss this extraordinary celebration of music, literature, and community. For more information on tickets and event details, please visit www.wordofsouth.com.

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About Word of South

Word of South, a festival of literature and music, is a unique blend of writers and musicians and an exploration of the relationship between the two disciplines. Since its beginnings in 2015, the festival has showcased nationally recognized authors and musicians in all sorts of interesting ways. We’re especially proud of our “mu-aushups”: authors and musicians appearing together (some of whom have never met), as well as our cookbook authors, kids programming, and musical performances of every genre—from gospel and hip-hop to pop and bluegrass, jazz and country, Americana and R&B. Bring the whole family, and come see what’s down South!