WV native Stephen Thomas returns home with DaBaby, Waka Flocka, & Ying Yang Twins at Woody Fest
This article was originally published by Real WV. Donate Here.
Charleston, WV — Woody Fest ‘26 has officially announced Stephen Thomas as part of its star-studded lineup which already includes DaBaby, Waka Flocka Flame, and the iconic Ying Yang Twins. The music festival will be held at the Shawnee Sports Complex on August 1.
Thomas performed at the Charleston Municipal Auditorium on his last trip home, sharing the stage with major headliners including Ja Rule, Ashanti, Plies, and Kevin Gates.
Since then, recently named as an “Artist To Watch in 2025 – 2026” by The Source, his momentum has skyrocketed.
Stephen Thomas has recently made major waves in the industry, landing on the Top 60 radio charts and Top 200 Billboard charts with his breakout Rock & Alternative single “Back Home.” Stephen Thomas has also surged to No. 2 on the worldwide iTunes charts, solidifying his global reach and crossover appeal.
He has also been widely recognized for his recent crossover into Country Music with his song “Come Home To Me,” which gained over 100,000 views within its first week, earning placement in one of the biggest country music outlets in the industry.
At the same time, his Rock & Alternative releases have sparked viral momentum — generating over 500,000 views on TikTok in less than 24 hours, while an Amazon Music commercial he is featured in is now nearing 1 million views on TikTok.
Adding to his growing list of accolades, Stephen Thomas has earned 5 Grammy Considerations, while his EP “The Universal Me” continues to make major noise, surpassing 150,000 streams on Spotify in under 12 hours and earning him an official plaque.
Stephen Thomas’ EP “The Universal Me” is a defining body of work that further solidifies his position as a pioneer of the “Universal Genre” movement. The project is recognized as the first of its kind to feature five different songs representing five distinct genres, within an artist catalog that spans seven total genres overall, showcasing his ability to move fluidly across musical boundaries while reshaping what modern artistry looks like.
This genre-defying approach is what continues to separate Stephen Thomas as a true innovator in today’s music landscape, blending sounds, audiences, and cultures into a unified creative direction.
His music has also landed on major editorial playlists across Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, along with recognition as one of MTV’s legendary premieres, positioning him as one of the most exciting emerging artists to watch.
WOODY FEST ‘26: A SUMMER EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
Woody Fest ‘26 is set to bring unmatched energy to the Shawnee Sports Complex on Saturday, August 1, 2026, featuring a powerhouse lineup headlined by DaBaby, alongside Waka Flocka Flame and Ying Yang Twins.
Presented by A to Z Outlet, the festival is expected to draw thousands from across the region for an unforgettable outdoor concert experience packed with high-energy performances, local talent, and a festival atmosphere like no other.
Additional performers include:
DJ Lauryn Trill, Neenee Incognita, White Mic, Duck City, Pantry Band, Prince Phae, Big TC, DJ Charlie Blac, and more — with hosting by Leeshia Lee.
TICKETS & EVENT DETAILS
Location: Shawnee Sports Complex
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Gates Open: 3:00 PM
Early Bird Tickets: $70 On Sale: Friday, May 1st at 10:00 AM
Tickets: Coming Soon
More from BBG on Stephen Thomas:
If you appreciate BBG's work, please support us with a contribution of whatever you can afford.
Support our stories
