ICSF
A new, intimate 3-day music festival and conference centered around the craft of songwriting, presented by The Englert Theatre across downtown Iowa City.
Check out the official lineup for the 2025 festival! Weekend and All Access Passes are now on sale. Only a limited quantity available, so get yours today!
THURSDAY – SEPTEMBER 4, 2025
Courtney Marie Andrews & Deb Talan at Trumpet Blossom*
Jordan Smart at The Black Angel
Dodge Street Duo at The Black Angel
Penny Peach, Aaron Longoria, & Sophie Mitchell at The Black Angel
*Exclusive to VIP All Access Pass holders & ICSF Scholars
FRIDAY – SEPTEMBER 5, 2025
Jeff Tweedy at The Englert
Margo Cilker at The Englert
Sunny War at The James
Buffalo Nichols at The James
She Returns from War at The Black Angel
Abbie Sawyer at The Black Angel
Weary Ramblers at The Black Angel
SATURDAY – SEPTEMBER 6, 2025
Joy Oladokun at The Englert
Courtney Marie Andrews at The Englert
Loudon Wainwright III at The James
Ken Pomeroy at The James
Dave Moore at The Black Angel
Willy Tea Taylor at The Black Angel
Connar Moon at The Black Angel
Mars Hojilla at Northside Series
All shows at The Englert and The James require a pass or ticket. All performances at The Black Angel are free & open to the public!
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Iowa City Songwriters Festival is a new, intimate 3-day music festival and conference centered around the craft of songwriting. The festival will showcase world-class songwriters through intimate solo or duo performances at several venues across downtown Iowa City including The Englert Theatre, The James Theater, The Black Angel, and Trumpet Blossom Cafe.
ICSF will also include a conference-style event that features artist talks, panel discussions and mentoring sessions, as well as scholarship opportunities that allow attendees to learn about the craft and practice from the top artists in the country and dive deep into the timeless art and process of writing songs.
Based on the idea that Iowa City should be just as big a hub for songwriters as it is for other genres of writing, ICSF is meticulously curated for both the songwriting aficionado and the casual listener. The festival’s core goal is to cultivate a community of musicians, writers, and music lovers in Iowa City to honor the beautiful tradition of songwriting and the deep human connection it fosters.
ICSF Scholarship
The ICSF Scholarship is kindly sponsored by Doug & Sarah Goettsch and Big Grove for Good Foundation!
The Iowa City Songwriters Festival will offer up to 20 scholarships this year to musicians eager to expand their craft. ICSF Scholars will receive free access to all festival events, exclusive artist engagements, meals, and hotel accommodations during the festival. Applications are open until Friday, May 30 @ 11:59 PM CST. Scholars will be selected and notified by June 27.
Click below to learn more, and apply today!
Follow the official Songwriters Festival social media pages and The Englert’s newsletter to be the first to hear any news that drops!
Thank you to our incredible sponsors for making ICSF possible! If you or your organization would like to support the festival, please contact us at development@englert.org!
CHORUS SPONSORS
BRIDGE SPONSORS
MEDIA SPONSOR
2ND VERSE SPONSOR
2ND VERSE SPONSOR
GRANT SUPPORTER
Designs & Branding by Taylor Burnside
