Copy, paste. Copy, paste. Copy, paste. More and more music festivals seem to follow this formula in recent years. Not so for Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN, who instead start on a “blank page” and create something entirely different. Founded in 2009 by Ashley Capps, Big Ears is celebrating its tenth iteration this year March 30 – April 2. With a diverse lineup of performers spanning various genres, including jazz, experimental music, classical, indie-folk, bluegrass, avant-garde as well as film, dance and visual mediums, Big Ears is the most unique festival out there today. One of the unique features of the Big Ears Festival is its focus on interdisciplinary collaborations and experimentation. Many of the performances feature musicians working in collaboration with visual artists or dancers, or incorporating multimedia elements into their performances.
The festival performances take place at various venues around town such as churches, museums, theaters, tiny venues like Pilot Light and Old City Performing Arts Center, and large venues like Tennessee Theater and Knoxville Civic Auditorium. This year sees an expansion to Knoxville Civic Auditorium to increase capacity for some of the more well-known acts. Also, there will be a presentation by David Byrne of his Reasons to be Cheerful project as well as a screening of his film American Utopia. Will he be at the secret show at Tennessee Theater on Saturday night? Since it is composer John Zorn’s 70th birthday this year, there is a residency (of sorts) at the Tennessee Theater where a selection of musicians will be performing ten of his pieces throughout the weekend. With so many unique performances taking place, this is who we are excited to see this year.
Los Lobos – Tennessee Theater, Thursday, March 30 at 9:30 p.m.
This year marks the 40th anniversary the Los Angeles-based roots rock group has been together. For the past four decades, the group has made a name for itself incorporating Chicano rock, blues, rockabilly, and mariachi music to create their own individual sound. Their high energy show and danceable tunes are sure to be a great way to kick off the first night of Big Ears.
The Mountain Goats – Mill & Mine, Thursday, March 30 at 10:45 p.m.
Fiercely loyal fans and newcomers will be well pleased to experience the indie rock icons in Knoxville on the first night of Big Ears. For the last three decades, John Darnielle has been churning out music under the name The Mountain Goats to high acclaim from the public and critics alike. Their set at Mill & Mine is sure to include a wealth of songs from Darnielle’s prolific output over the decades.
Xylouris White – Southern Railway Station, Friday, March 31 at 4 p.m.; The Standard, Saturday, April 1 at 11:15 p.m.
Greek singer and lutenist George Xylouris and Australian drummer Jim White came together to create a truly unique sound. Xylouris White performs Mediterranean inspired songs with a modern tilt. The pair perform with a back and forth between two excellent musicians that is bound to be an excellent show.
Iron & Wine – Knoxville Civic Auditorium, Friday, March 31 at 7 p.m.
Sam Beam is arguably indie royalty at this point. Since releasing his debut album, The Creek Drank the Cradle in 2002, Beam has solidified his foothold as a master of indie-folk. Having also collaborated with The Shins and Calexico, Beam has gathered quite a few fans to his music. Speaking of Calexico, they are playing KCA just before Iron & Wine at 4:30. Will they take the stage together to perform songs from their collaborative EP, In the Reins?
Andrew Bird – Knoxville Civic Auditorium, Friday, March 31 at 9:30 p.m.
Multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird is bringing his Inside Problems tour to Knoxville for Big Ears. His set is bound to include songs from his forthcoming album Inside Problems as well as a selection of fan favorites from his last fifteen albums. Bird’s violin playing and whistling is the stuff of legends so it will definitely be a “not to be missed” set.
Ken Mujo – Pilot Light, Saturday, April 1 at 12 a.m.
Those looking for an intimate late-night show that is sure to amaze, Kenichi Minami will be performing at The Pilot Light at midnight on Friday. Ken Mujo is at the forefront of the Japanese indie rock scene and infuses traditional Japanese melodies with feedback-laden acoustic guitar. This set is sure to be a one-of-a-kind show.
Devendra Banhart – Bijou Theater, Saturday, April 1 at 5 p.m.
Venezuelan-raised freak folk songwriter Devendra Banhart will be taking the stage at the historic Bijou Theater on Saturday afternoon and is bound to deliver a stellar set. Though performing mostly solo, Banhart has a way of filling up the whole theater with his songs. As it has been four years since his last album, Ma, it will interesting to see how the set shapes up.
Oneohtrix Point Never – Knoxville Civic Auditorium, Sunday, April 2 at 6 p.m.
Daniel Lopatin, better known as experimental electronic artist Oneohtrix Point Never, will be delivering a sample and synth heavy performance on Sunday at KCA. Lopatin is also a Cannes award winner for the soundtrack to Uncut Gems and is sure to bring an energy-filled performance to the last day of Big Ears.
Combo Chimbita – Mill & Mine, Sunday, April 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Columbian latinx group Combo Chimbita will be just one of the many Latin American-based/influenced groups to perform this year. Others like Meridian Brothers, Marc Ribot y Los Cubanos Postizos, Antonio Sanchez & Bad Hombres, Calexico, and others will also be bringing their energetic performances to the weekend. Combo Chimbita will be a great close to the weekend, infusing cumbia with electronica, psychedelia, and post-punk, Combo Chimbita to make for what is sure to be a unique experience.
