Big Ears Festival is Sold Out / Festival App is Here / Mardi Gras
From the beginning, your support for this year’s Big Ears Festival – our first in 3 years – has been overwhelming and energizing. We’re been inspired by and grateful for your enthusiasm and are every bit as excited as you are. March 24 – 27 is going to be an unforgettable weekend, and we still have more to tell you about between now and then. We’ll see you in Knoxville in only 23 days from today!
If your plans have changed and you cannot join us for Big Ears – or if you missed out on purchasing passes – you can visit LYTE, which enables one to buy or sell passes – no mark ups allowed on the face value of the ticket – while retaining all of the documentation required to register at the festival and pick up your wristbands. PLEASE REMEMBER: There are no “tickets” to Big Ears and unauthorized purchases from third party vendors are not valid and will not be honored.
FESTIVAL APP
The App for Big Ears 2022 is now live and available to be downloaded on both iPhone and Android. The app is the best way to keep up to date on the festival schedule, organize your festival itinerary, learn about the best spots to dine and visit while in town, and to stay informed about festival updates and surprise performances throughout the weekend.
MARDI GRAS!
One of the most exciting dimensions of the Big Ears 2022 experience will be our celebration of the rich musical melting pot of New Orleans and the Black Caribbean traditions—principally of Haiti and Cuba—which have given it so much of its energy, inspiration, and vitality. The weekend of programming culminates on Saturday night at The Mill and Mine, with the Big Ears Krewe du Kanaval, a multi-hour extravaganza curated by Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s Ben Jaffe and featuring Pres Hall, along with Haiti’s legendary RAM, and acoustic roots band Lakou Mizik. They’ll be joined by the Mardi Gras Indian band 79rs Gang, Sporty’s Brass Band, Congolese / Canadian DJ Pierre Kwenders, and surprise special guests, plus drumming, dancing, unique sets, décor, and costumes galore in an exhilarating, unfolding, truly kaleidoscopic experience. It will start at 9pm on Saturday night and run until…
Earlier in the day, we also host the Krewe du Cattywampus Second Line-style Parade, with our wonderful collaborators, Knoxville’s own Cattywampus Puppet Council, as well as other special guests, followed by an afternoon street party. More of those details to come.
