Winner of 14 Grammies, legendary singer Emmylou Harris at Tønder Festival 2026

On Friday 28th August, Tønder Festival's audience will have a rare opportunity to hear and see one of the most important figures in American music, Emmylou Harris, live and up close. The last time the folk, country and americana legend appeared at Tønder Festival was in 2000. Now she is back to give her final and only Danish concert on her farewell tour of Europe.

The 78 year-old singer, songwriter and activist, Emmylou Harris is one of the most influential voices in American music. Over more than four decades, she has made her mark on folk, country and americana music with her individual blend of authority, warmth and artistic curiosity.

She has made over 25 albums, won 14 Grammies, sold more than 15 million records and been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame: she is an icon resounding over styles and generations.

For Tønder Festival's artistic director, Maria Theessink, it has long been an ambition to present Emmylou Harris again at Tønder Festival, which Harris headlined in 2000.

"Her concert that evening remains a musical highlight in my life. It means so much to bring Emmylou Harris back here for her final, exclusive Danish show on her farewell European tour,” says Maria Theessink, adding:

"It is an added delight that Emmylou and Daniel Lanois are appearing at our festival the same year. These two have worked together several times. Emmylou Harris’ album ‘Wrecking Ball’, which came out 30 years ago and helped cement her artistic status, was produced by Daniel Lanois.”

A fine evening of song and history

Emmylou Harris' career grew in the 1970s. She gave country music a noticeable lift with her expressive voice, her elegant songwriting and her gift for finding – and improving – others' songs. As a songwriter she is known for her honest, sharp and wise pen, never choosing the easy path, always the authentic. She has fingerprinted countless classic recordings. Besides Daniel Lanois she has worked with many great artists, among them Gram Parsons, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Mark Knopfler, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Rodney Crowell and Willie Nelson.

At Tønder Festival 2026 Emmylou Harris is performing with her band and you can expect an evening of beautiful songs, stories, wisdom and that particular Harris tone.

THE MUSICIAN

Emmylou Harris (USA)

Hearing Joan Baez’ voice on the radio got Emmylou Harris started playing guitar. Every evening, 16 year-old Emmylou listened to a radio station playing folk music, as she did her homework. Then she began working at learning her first three chords.

Today, the 78 year-old singer, songwriter and activist is one of the most important voices in American music. For over forty years, she has been influencing folk, country and americana music with her rare, individual blend of authority, warmth and artistic curiosity. She has made over 25 albums, won 14 Grammies, sold over 15 million records and been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, making her an icon reaching out over the genres and the generations.
Emmylou Harris had her breakthrough in the 1970s and she gave country music a palpable lift with her expressive singing and her gift of finding – and improving– others' songs. As a songwriter, she is famous for her honest, sharp and wise pen, never falling for the easy way, always the genuine.
Harris' singing has adorned countless classic recordings, and she has worked with many well-known names, among them Gram Parsons, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Mark Knopfler, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Rodney Crowell, Willie Nelson - and Daniel Lanois, also appearing at Tønder Festival this year. He produced and played on Emmylou Harris’ album Wrecking Ball (1995) – one of the chefs d'œvre of her career - while she sang on his solo album Shine (2003).

Emmylou Harris was last at Tønder Festival in 2000. Now she is back with her band, for the final time. On Friday 28th August 2026, she will play her only Danish concert here, as part of her farewell tour of Europe. You are promised a fine evening of beautiful songs, stories, wisdom and that unmistakable Emmylou Harris tone.

www.emmylouharris.com

Tønder Festival 2026 – so far:

Emmylou Harris (USA), Aaron Lee Tasjan (USA), Skerryvore (SCO), Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys (UK), Joce Reyome (CAN), Erik Koskinen (USA), Ron Sexsmith (CAN), The Brothers Comatose (USA), James McMurtry (USA), Susan O´Neill (IRL), Ulige Numre (DK), Susto Stringband (USA), Sunny War (USA), Poul Krebs (DK), Emily Scott Robinson (USA), The Felice Brothers (USA), Rum Ragged (CAN), Daniel Lanois (CAN), Fantastic Negrito (USA), Jesper Lindell & The Brunnsvik Sounds (SE), Bye Bye Brenda (DK), Jake Blount (USA), AySay (DK), Heidi Talbot (IRL/SCO), Tako Lako (DK).

Tønder Festival 26th, 27th, 28th and 29th August 2026

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