Wes Duchek and Kathy Beck dance during Wheatstock Music Festival on Aug. 17, 2019, at Quantum 9 Arena. In its 15th year, the 2023 event expands to two days on Aug. 18-19 in Helix.

HELIX — Big news out of the tiny town of Helix — Wheatstock Music Festival is expanding to two days for its 15th year.

The festival kicks off Friday, Aug. 18, at 6:30 p.m. and continues Saturday, Aug. 19, 4 p.m. at Quantum 9 Arena. The Friday night headliner is Flatland Cavalry and Saturday night closes out with Pecos & the Rooftops.

“I can’t believe we got both of these bands,” said DeWayne Dunlap, Wheatstock founder and president. “They are on an upward trajectory and they are on the top of the Texas music scene.”

Pecos & the Rooftops, Dunlap said, offer more of the country and Red Dirt sound that Wheatstock often showcases. The group’s breakout hit, “This Damn Song” lifted them through the roof. The band’s vibe, Dunlap said, features a gritty mixture of country, folk and Southern rock.

A change in the initial program, the festival added Flatland Cavalry to the lineup. Featuring a blend of traditional and modern country, Americana and folk music, their unique sound appeals to fans of all ages.

“They are one of the hottest bands in the United States right now,” Dunlap said. “They are so good.”

Opening the Friday night show is Them Dirty Roses. A southern rock act with Alabama roots, the group is now based out of Nashville.

Saturday lineup includes:

The Lowdown Drifters — after getting their start in Washington, the group packed up two years ago and moved closer to the Red Dirt music scene in Texas. Dunlap is excited to bring the first female-fronted act to Wheatstock with Kat Hasty. A singer-songwriter from Texas, she initially recorded songs in the bathroom of her apartment.

Also, Tylor & the Train Robbers, a Boise-based group with Helix roots, will perform. Referring to them as the “house band,” Dunlap is always thrilled to welcome Tylor Ketchum and his brothers, Jason and Tommy Bushman, back to town. Tylor & the Train Robbers have played Wheatstock numerous times.

“Those guys were raised in Helix and they are doing really well,” he said. “They’re cutting albums and living the dream.”

The music festival features free camping, food vendors, a beer garden, merchandise sales and bouncy castles for the kids. Admission is free for active military personnel and kids 12 and younger.

“It’s really family-oriented,” Dunlap said. “And the music every year has been mind-boggling.”

Two-day passes are $100; Friday only is $50 and Saturday is $70. Also, two-day VIP passes are $250. For tickets, visit www.wheatstock.org. Also, up-to-date information is available via Facebook at bit.ly/3QPKiqk.