Music, Smoke, and Small-Town Soul at Feels Like Home Festival 2025

The Feels Like Home Festival returned to Brownwood, Texas, this October with bigger crowds, bolder music, and even more smoke in the air. Headlined by Texas country heavyweights Randy Rogers Band, Pat Green, Josh Abbott Band, and Stoney LaRue, the festival balanced star power with rising acts like Bottomland, Joe Peters, and Graham St. Clair Band. Across two stages, it felt like a love letter to the state’s roots scene — equal parts boot-stomping and heartstring-tugging.

But what truly set the tone was the barbecue — ten of the state’s top pitmasters turned Reunion Lawn into a smoky wonderland, offering brisket, ribs, and sausage tastings that rivaled any standalone BBQ fest. A few growing pains remained, but they barely dimmed the charm. Feels Like Home has quickly become what its name promises — a gathering that feels less like a commercial festival and more like a Texas family reunion set to a country soundtrack.

Check out our full gallery below!

(All images credited to The Encore photojournalist Meagan Sullivan)

Check out our full festival recap here!