Five of the Coolest Things We Saw at Billy Reid’s Annual ‘Shindig’

Fashion designer Billy Reid hosted his tenth annual shindig with the help of Kacey Musgraves, Joshua Hedley and a new fashion collection.

Written by Cillea Houghton
Five of the Coolest Things We Saw at Billy Reid’s Annual ‘Shindig’
Kacey Musgraves; Shindig photos by Tera Wages

Soul music is integrated into the fabric of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and the same can be said for Billy Reid’s “Shindig,” the annual festival hosted by high-end fashion designer, Billy Reid. For the past 10 years, Reid has personally curated the lineup and invited his friends – fellow designers, James Beard Award winning chefs, Grammy winning artists and more – to Muscle Shoals for a weekend of incredible food, music and fashion. The 2018 soiree brought out the likes of Kacey Musgraves, Joshua Hedley and “Cocaine & Rhinestones” podcast host Tyler Mahan Coe, along with Reid’s annual fashion show where he displays his new collection, and Sounds Like Nashville was on the scene for the 10th annual festival. Here are some of the notable moments:

Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves served as the headliner at the Shoals Theatre on Saturday (Aug. 25) and her set proved her growing star power. The burgeoning superstar put on a flawless performance, dazzling the crowd with a set that included respected numbers like “Sapce Cowboy,” “Merry Go Round” and “High Horse,” along with vibrant covers of “Neon Moon” and NSYNC’s “Tearin’ Up My Heart.” Musgraves knows how to turn her catalogue of songs into a magical live experience, and she had the crowd captivated every second of her remarkable show.

Joshua Hedley
Speaking of rising stars, Joshua Hedley’s performance before Musgraves took the stage proved he’s just that. The Americana-meets-country star has an unforgettable voice and debut album to match, showing off his reverence for classic country with his exquisite set that feels like you’ve been transported back to the 1960s. Hedley has a storyteller’s soul and that was on full display at the Shoals Theatre.

The War and Treaty
The War and Treaty have voices you need to hear. The husband and wife duo of Michael and Tanya Trotter combine soul music with roots and country to create an incredible sound all their own. The twosome left the crowd who gathered to see them in Wilson Park astounded with a set that included a handful of incredible tracks from their debut album Healing Tide. With spellbinding voices and the purest of souls, The War and Treaty are a truly special act with a powerful message. Watch for their undeniable talent to rise in 2019.

Robert Finley and St. Paul & the Broken Bones
Robert Finley brought all the soul to the Shoals Theatre stage during his opening performance for St. Paul & The Broken Bones on Friday (Aug. 24). You would never guess Finley is 65-years-old based on the incredible energy he brought to the stage, keeping the audience on its feet with his show-stopping performance that earned multiple standing ovations. He paved the way for soul group St. Paul & The Broken Bones to dazzle the crowd with their soulful sound, with lead singer Paul Janeway holding the audience in the palm of his hands with his impeccable range.

Billy Reid’s Runway Show
In the midst of managing all the music and the delectable eats, Billy Reid found time to display the new pieces from his upcoming collection. Reid transformed a gymnastics studio into a rustic runway-ready space to reveal his eclectic spring of 2019 line. With plenty of champagne and refreshing cocktails to go around, guests were treated to first-hand insight into several of Reid’s original designs. Fans can expect to see preppy, yet modern looks where comfy meets classy, pulled from a palette of beige, white and gray blends. Stripes and geometric patterns are used to create chic dresses and shirts, while a beautiful black gown with red, blue and yellow accents serves as the wildcard piece. Reid has a way of building sophisticated and multifaceted designs, and the 2019 collection is no exception.