A Celebration of Disc Golf and Live Music
The United States Disc Golf Championship has always been about more than disc golf, and few additions have helped expand the event quite like the Fresh & Now Concert Series. What started four years ago as a live music experiment has become one of the defining experiences of Championship Week at the USDGC. Fresh & Now has established itself as a destination for both disc golf fans and live music lovers. Last year’s event was the biggest yet, featuring nightly music from nationally acclaimed acts, live painting, putting competitions, player appearances, a freestyle frisbee demonstration, ping pong, and a massive tent buzzing with activity throughout the week. In 2026, everything that has made Fresh & Now a success returns, along with new additions and its most packed lineup yet.View this post on Instagram
The 2026 Fresh & Now Lineup
Leading the way in 2026 is Dizgo, one of the fastest-rising bands in the modern jam scene. The Indiana-based quartet has earned a reputation for high-energy performances that blend funky grooves, rocking energy, electronic influences, and plenty of improvisation. Over the past several years, Dizgo has steadily climbed festival lineups and shared stages with some of the scene’s biggest names. Their appearance at Fresh & Now continues the series’ tradition of bringing artists to Winthrop at pivotal moments in their careers, as their audience and reputation continue to grow nationwide.The remainder of the schedule rounds out the largest Fresh & Now lineup to date. Thursday’s festivities begin with an EDM showcase presented by 5i Productions and Another Round Myrtle Beach. Friday features performances from JP Taylor, Graciana Love, and Abby Bryant. Saturday features Dizgo followed by a late-night DJ set from Hek Yeh before Channel Bluff closes out the weekend on Sunday. And more artist announcements are still to come.View this post on Instagram
A Tradition of Artists on the Rise
For Event Director Jonathan Poole, Fresh & Now is about bringing together two passions and two communities that have long shared plenty of overlap: disc golf and live music. A lifelong live music enthusiast and increasingly respected concert promoter within the jam scene, Poole built the series around artists he believed fans would be excited to discover.The idea behind Fresh & Now was to feature bands that our fans may not have heard of, but may one day look back and have a fond memory of seeing them at the USDGC. -Jonathon PooleLooking back at the first three years of the series, that approach has produced an impressive lineup. Artists such as Big Something, Karina Rykman, Perpetual Groove, Chalk Dinosaur, Kanika Moore, and many others have all taken the Fresh & Now stage while building momentum on the national touring circuit. Big Something arrived at Fresh & Now as one of the Southeast’s premier touring bands and has continued to grow through major festival appearances, millions of streams, and the success of its own festival, The Big What? Karina Rykman’s profile has risen rapidly through headline tours, major festival appearances, and the release of her debut album JOYRIDE, which featured collaboration from Trey Anastasio. Chalk Dinosaur has continued building a devoted following through a relentless touring schedule and a catalog that now spans nearly 30 albums and EPs. Last year’s lineup provided another example in Kanika Moore. Best known as the frontwoman of Doom Flamingo, Moore performed at Fresh & Now during a year that saw her appear at festivals and venues across the country. Her growing profile has made her a sought-after collaborator throughout the live music scene, highlighted by a main role in String Cheese Incident’s always-anticipated Saturday night set at Hulaween last year.
The pattern isn’t that these artists were unknown. Many were already major draws and coveted bookings when they appeared at Fresh & Now. What the series has consistently demonstrated is an ability to bring artists to Rock Hill while they are still on the rise, often before they take the next step in their careers. That reputation is beginning to extend beyond the disc golf world. According to Poole, bands and management companies now regularly reach out seeking opportunities to perform at the event. Artists see the USDGC as a unique opportunity to connect with a passionate audience, while fans get the chance to discover performers they may someday be able to say they saw at Fresh & Now before they became much bigger names. And if Fresh & Now can attract live music fans to Winthrop with the draw of its artists, that’s more eyes on disc golf, more new players, and more growth for the sport. Whether you’re a longtime disc golfer, a dedicated music fan, or both, make plans to join us at Winthrop this October.View this post on Instagram
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