Jason Isbell, Black Joe Lewis among headliners for upcoming St. Louis music festivals

It's not too early to tune your ears to the sounds of summer.

Fans of the broader spectrum of roots music likely already know that our neighbor to the east, St. Louis, has positioned itself as a festival destination. The early-summer staples Twangfest and Open Highway Music Festival bring quality acts to the Gateway City.

With artist announcements in recent days, these two fests already are beckoning to listeners. Each offers lineups worth driving a couple hours to see and hear. Here's a very cursory look at each.

Twangfest (June 7-10)

Where: Off Broadway

Can't-miss acts: An institution on the St. Louis concert scene, Twangfest feels intimate while inside Off Broadway's cozy confines, but the artist roster is always expansive. The festival's 25th-anniversary lineup features a deep bench of first-class songwriters and vibrant performers.

Among them, Black Joe Lewis (Wednesday; Lewis will stop at Rose Park the next day, June 8); James McMurtry and Robbie Fulks, two great songwriters sharing a night in separate sets (Thursday); Amy LaVere and Will Sexton playing together (Friday); and The Waco Brothers (Saturday).

Ticket details: Tickets range from $25-$35 for individual nights; Friends of Twangfest packs run from $160-$190.

Website: https://twangfest.com/

Open Highway Music Festival (June 16-17)

Where: Chesterfield Amphitheater

Can't-miss acts: Curated by standout area musician John Henry and his team, the Open Highway slate just keeps getting better. National and regional acts intermingle, and festival favorites from the likes of Treeline (formerly Roots N Blues) appear in a fresh context.

This year's lineup is anchored by the great Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (Saturday), who will have just released a new record by the time they arrive; Southern rockers Blackberry Smoke (Friday); gifted Kentucky songwriter S.G. Goodman (Saturday), whose "Teeth Marks" was one of last year's best; St. Louis mainstay Beth Bombara (Friday); and Columbia's own Burney Sisters (Saturday).

Ticket details: $35 for Friday general admission; $75 for Saturday general admission; $100-$120 for the weekend; concertgoers age 12 and younger admitted free.

Website: https://www.openhighwaymusic.com/

Aarik Danielsen is the features and culture editor for the Tribune. Contact him at adanielsen@columbiatribune.com or by calling 573-815-1731. Find him on Twitter @aarikdanielsen.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Isbell-led Open Highway, Twangfest kick off St. Louis summer festivals