Jesse Welles

Introduction

Jesse Welles unassumingly upholds and continues the tradition of traveling troubadours, relaying the news, putting pain into words, and healing with a little humor. Fearless, he reports from the frontlines of a divided country on the brink, addressing inequalities and injustices, cutting through all bullshit and driving directly to the source of the matter. His songs leave the same mark in front of a sold-out club as they do under the unbiased eye of a smartphone camera as he strums his guitar alone in the wilderness of Arkansas.

Career Highlights

Following tens of millions of streams and a groundswell of acclaim from Rolling Stone, the New York Times, and more, the singer, songwriter, and guitar player cuts deep on his 2025 full-length album Middle. "Breathe to write, write to breathe," he says. "Humans are meant to create, so I'm gonna create music and keep releasing it constantly." Jesse calls Ozark, AR home.

Early Life and Musical Journey

Growing up, his father worked as a mechanic, and his mom a school teacher. Early on, his grandpa copied The Beatles White Album and Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band for Jesse. At 12 years old, he finally scrounged up enough dough for a $56 first act guitar from Walmart. It became like another limb. He fed his obsession by checking CDs out of the public library and ripping them to the family computer, embracing classics from Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and Woody Guthrie.

Nashville and Touring

Relocating to Nashville, he launched his eponymous band Welles, releasing music and touring incessantly. He logged 280 shows in a year, canvassing North America and Europe alongside the likes of Royal Blood, Highly Suspect, Greta Van Fleet, and Dead Sara. Dropped from his old label (mid-Pandemic), he quit a job at a vegan meat manufacturer and returned to Arkansas.

Personal Changes and Online Impact

In February 2024, life changed again when dad suffered a heart attack. Sitting in his father's hospital room with a Woody Guthrie biography on his lap, Jesse realized what he needed to do. He walked into the Ozarks, placed his phone on a tripod, sang right to it, and posted the performance. The ensuing series of videos made a seismic impact online. He impressively attracted over 1 million followers on Instagram by performing tunes like Cancer, Fentanyl, and War Isn't Murder out in the cold.

Recent Work and Philosophy

On a creative tear, he served up two full-length albums, Hells Welles and Patchwork, and sold out successive headline tours. Now, Jesse turns the page on another chapter with his new album Middle and its first single Horses. "It's a pro-love song," he notes. "Fear leads to hate. Hate leads to all kinds of atrocities. You build up walls. If you love everyone, it's a lot easier on you and everybody else too. Hate is a whip for the mule. Nobody gets nutrition from it."

If my music helps you believe you can make art and tell the world how you feel, there would be nothing better," he leaves off. "I hope you get those paints out of the garage or fill up your journal. Turn on your phone and say what you gotta say. There's so much wild stuff in my head. I want to see where it can go.

Event Information

This event is 17 and over. Any ticket holder unable to present valid identification indicating that they are at least 17 years of age will not be admitted to this event and will not be eligible for a refund. Ticket Fee includes 1% City Amusement Tax.