Chase Matthew to Headline BBQ & Barrels Festival in Owensboro, KY

The rising country star will close out the annual festival on May 9th.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Chase Matthew, a quickly rising country music star, is set to headline the BBQ & Barrels festival in Owensboro, Kentucky on May 9th. The free concert is part of the two-day festival, which was formerly known as the International Bar-B-Q Festival. This will be the third year the festival has featured a free country music concert on the front lawn of the Owensboro Convention Center.

Why it matters

The BBQ & Barrels festival is a major annual event in Owensboro, drawing large crowds to the city's downtown area. Chase Matthew's headlining performance is expected to be a major draw, as the rising country star recently scored his first #1 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

The details

In 2024, country star Chris Janson headlined the free concert, while last year it was 90s country legend Clay Walker with Drew Baldridge as the opening act. This year, Chase Matthew will take the stage on Saturday, May 9th to close out the festival. The night before, local favorite DJ Shay will host a dance party. Both shows are sponsored by Owensboro Racing & Gaming.

  • The BBQ & Barrels festival will take place on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th, 2026.
  • Chase Matthew will headline the free concert on Saturday, May 9th, 2026.

The players

Chase Matthew

A rising country music star who recently scored his first #1 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

BBQ & Barrels

An annual festival in Owensboro, Kentucky that was formerly known as the International Bar-B-Q Festival. It features a free country music concert on the front lawn of the Owensboro Convention Center.

Owensboro Racing & Gaming

The sponsor of the free concerts at the BBQ & Barrels festival.

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What’s next

The City of Owensboro is offering a limited number of Pit Passes for sale for $25 each, which are expected to sell out quickly.

The takeaway

The BBQ & Barrels festival continues to attract top country music talent to Owensboro, solidifying the city's reputation as a destination for live music and entertainment in the region.