Get Into The Rhythm: Jackson Indie Music Week
Official schedule is courtesy of jxnindiemusic.com.
In a city like Jackson, there’s always music in the background, the soundtrack of the city. On the radio, in the grocery or in your ear, everywhere you go, any video you see, there’s a musical accompaniment. Songs recall fond memories and help the heart heal, even if you can only understand half the lyrics. Music not only stirs the soul, it stirs the City With Soul. And for one week - March 22-28, 2026 - Jackson is going to turn the music up to eleven with the eleventh Annual Jackson Indie Music Week.
It’s always been difficult for indie music artists to get exposure. Brad Frankin, founder of Jackson Independent Music Week, has been a signed artist. He has played at festivals and venues across the country. Frankin says, “Playing at AC3 and South By Southwest was cool, but it made me wonder why we don’t celebrate music like this in the 'Birthplace of America’s Music.’”
That’s why Jackson is giving indie artists the stage for an entire week (several stages, actually), so that they can shine doing what they love to do. Billed as the fastest-growing indie music festival in the South, Jackson’s Indie Music Week gives independent artists a platform, their music a week to shine, and the entire Jackson area a great reason to come together in community.
Here’s what’s in store for the week:
March 22 - Official Kickoff Party - The Patton House
March 23 - Midtown Depot
March 24 - Rami’s Sports Bar & Grill
March 25 - The Patton House
March 26 - Duling Hall
March 27 - Martin’s Downtown
March 28 - 301 Capital & Green Ghost Tacos
Neighborhood venues across Fondren, Belhaven, Belhaven Heights and downtown will play host to an eclectic variety of live performances, workshops, industry panels, networking sessions and other community events. The festival celebrates four core pillars of independent music: artist support, community building, economic empowerment and education. Expect wild performances, intimate showcases, cool and collaborative jam sessions and much more, all culminating in the annual ICON Awards on Thursday, March 26, at Duling Hall to honor Mississippi indie music trailblazers.
There’s no doubt that Jackson Indie Week runs on community energy: local volunteers, sponsors, partners, and passionate audiences all dancing to the same beat. Past events have drawn increasingly growing crowds and not just for the music, but for the sense of belonging it creates. It’s a time and place where locals and visitors alike can discover new sounds, connect with the indie music scene, and be a part of something uplifting. According to Frankin, Jackson Indie Music Week isn’t just another music festival. It’s a concerted effort to amplify Jackson and now the festival is in its eleventh year and providing a platform for artists to grow their audiences, get in front of booking agents, sell their merchandise and learn from the pros.
Frankin says there are plenty of programming opportunities available to festival goers and artists alike, not just musical performances.
“We have an education panel where we have famous Mississippians come to give indie artists the tools and info they need to be successful. The big label model doesn’t really exist like it used to and indie artists are flourishing. We want indie artists to know that this is a viable means to support yourself and you don’t have to go and sign with a label,” he said. “You eat what you kill, but that is more rewarding.”
Tickets for Indie Music Week start at $10 for individual shows, with all-event passes available for $60. Early-bird options and a full schedule are live at jxnindiemusic.com. Getting involved is straightforward: volunteer to help at events, sponsor a showcase, spread the word — or just buy a ticket and show up. Bring the whole neighborhood.