For Music Lovers
Experience Music the Way It Was Meant to Be Heard
Forget arenas and algorithms. This is original music, up close, in the places where songs were meant to live — coffee shops, bars, wine bars, and a 110-year-old opera house.
What Are Songwriter Rounds?
A songwriter round is an intimate performance format where three artists sit together and take turns playing original songs. After each song, the writer shares the story behind it — where it came from, what it means, the line that almost didn't make the cut.
It's the Nashville tradition brought to the Black Hills. No drum kits, no light shows — just a guitar, a voice, and a story. You hear music the way it was written: raw, honest, and right in front of you.
Most people who attend their first round say the same thing: “I had no idea music could feel like this.”
Your Invitational Day
11:30 AM
Grab a coffee at Blackbird Espresso
Settle in before the first round.
12:00 PM
First songwriter round begins
Three songwriters, one intimate venue. Pull up a chair.
12:30 - 5:00 PM
Walk between venues
New rounds start every 30 minutes at different downtown spots. Wander at your own pace.
5:00 PM
Break for dinner
Downtown Spearfish has you covered. Grab a bite before the evening show.
7:00 PM
Evening showcase at The Matthews
Every songwriter performs one song, then the headliner takes the stage.
Why Spearfish?
Spearfish sits at the northern edge of the Black Hills — a small town with big creative energy. Every venue in the Invitational is within walking distance downtown. You can spend a September afternoon wandering from coffee shop to wine bar to brewpub, catching original music at every stop.
It's the kind of town where the bartender knows the songwriter and the songwriter knows your name by the second verse. That's not marketing — that's just Spearfish.
Good to Know
Tickets
Daytime rounds are typically free or low-cost. Evening headliner shows at The Matthews require tickets, available through Eventbrite when announced.
Walkable
Every venue is within a few blocks in downtown Spearfish. No car needed once you're here.
All Ages Welcome
Daytime rounds at coffee shops and most venues are all-ages. Evening shows at bar venues may be 21+. The Matthews is all-ages.
Listening Room Etiquette
Songwriter rounds are intimate. Keep conversation low, phones on silent, and give the artists your attention. They're sharing something personal.
Lodging
Spearfish has hotels, motels, and vacation rentals. September is beautiful in the Black Hills — book early.
Bring Friends
The best way to experience the Invitational is with people you love. It's a weekend you'll talk about.
September 25-26, 2026
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