Inaugural Freely Fest to Feature The Killers, T-Pain, and More in Nashville

The non-profit Freedom Forum is hosting the new music festival celebrating free speech and the First Amendment.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 1:07pm

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The non-partisan nonprofit organization Freedom Forum has unveiled the lineup for its inaugural 'Freely Fest', taking place on April 8th at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, and streaming live globally. The Killers, T-Pain, Dominic Fike, Janelle Monáe, and Avery Anna are all featured on the lineup for the festival, which celebrates the 'power of music and our First Amendment freedoms.'

Why it matters

Freedom Forum has spent more than three decades working toward the organization's vision of an America where everyone knows, values, and defends religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. Freely Fest aims to make the First Amendment relevant by connecting it to popular culture, using music as a universal language for expression.

The details

The event blends performances with artist stories and interactive experiences to highlight free speech. Freedom Forum Chair and CEO Jan Neuharth said 'Freely Fest will shine a light on freedom of speech — a foundational right that belongs to us all and fuels the free expression that shapes our culture. Music tells the story of America. Every generation has its defining anthems. Melodies that bring us to our feet or move us to tears. Lyrics that capture moments of joy or reflect times of sorrow. Songs that have sparked change and fueled movements. All powered by the First Amendment.'

  • Freely Fest will take place on April 8, 2026.
  • Tickets for the event are available at FreelyFest.org.

The players

Freedom Forum

A non-partisan nonprofit organization that has spent more than three decades working toward the vision of an America where everyone knows, values, and defends religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Jan Neuharth

The Chair and CEO of the Freedom Forum.

The Killers

An American rock band that is set to perform at the inaugural Freely Fest.

T-Pain

An American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer who is set to perform at Freely Fest.

Dominic Fike

An American singer-songwriter who is set to perform at the inaugural Freely Fest.

Janelle Monáe

An American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer who is set to perform at Freely Fest.

Avery Anna

An American singer-songwriter who is set to perform at the inaugural Freely Fest.

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What they’re saying

“Freely Fest will shine a light on freedom of speech — a foundational right that belongs to us all and fuels the free expression that shapes our culture. Music tells the story of America. Every generation has its defining anthems. Melodies that bring us to our feet or move us to tears. Lyrics that capture moments of joy or reflect times of sorrow. Songs that have sparked change and fueled movements. All powered by the First Amendment.”

— Jan Neuharth, Chair and CEO of Freedom Forum

What’s next

Tickets for Freely Fest are available now at FreelyFest.org.

The takeaway

Freely Fest aims to celebrate the power of music and the First Amendment, bringing together a diverse lineup of artists to highlight the importance of free speech and expression in shaping American culture.