CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL ANTHEM / STAR SCORES / DON WAS / MORE CONVERSATIONS
Heads Up!
4-Day Weekend and Saturday Single-Day passes are officially SOLD OUT.
Only a few passes for Thursday, Friday and Sunday remain.
Act now before they are all gone!
Don’t forget that sold out pass types are available via the festival’s official fan to fan resell platform, Ticketmaster Exchange. Patrons who purchase passes from other fans via the exchange can be confident that their passes are 100% legitimate. Big Ears cannot verify the authenticity of and will not honor passes purchased via a third party or any other method. Thank you for helping us keep passes in the hands of fans!
Chrysanthemum Tea with International Anthem
Friday, March 28 – Sunday, March 30 / Boyd’s Jig & Reel / 11:11a
| Chicago’s International Anthem sets up for weekend-long residency at Boyd’s Jig & Reel with a series of gatherings filled with music, deep listening, and good company Friday–Sunday mornings beginning at 11:11 AM. As the label celebrates its 11th anniversary (#IA11), these sessions will feature spontaneous performances and collaborations between artists from their ever-expanding family, plus exclusive first listens to upcoming releases—some still under wraps. In the spirit of #IA11, International Anthem will be pouring chrysanthemum tea for guests, a nod to the label’s symbolic vibrating flower. Stay tuned for artist announcements, and start your festival mornings steeped in music, community, and the boundless energy of International Anthem. Chrysanthemum Tea with International Anthem |
Star Scores
| As part of Roberto Carlos Lange and Kristi Sword’s Kite Symphony exhibition at the UT Downtown Gallery, the duo presents Star Scores—a series of live performances accompanying experimental films. Each day of the festival, Thursday – Sunday, a unique ensemble—featuring Lange, Rob Frye (Bitchin Bajas), and a cast of friends and special guests—will perform four experimental compositions alongside an impressionistic film exploring the forces shaping the West Texas landscape and Appalachian skies. This captivating experience merges visual art and music, offering a glimpse into the celestial world imagined by Lange and Sword. |
Thursday, March 27 / 7:30p Friday, March 28 / 1:00p Saturday, March 29 / 1:00p Sunday, March 30 / 1:00p |
Don Was
| At the heart of Big Ears 2025, the Blue Note Lounge & Pop-Up Record Store becomes a hub for jazz lovers, vinyl collectors, and deep musical conversations—including special appearances by Don Was. The Blue Note Records president will join jazz legend Charles Lloyd for a rare and insightful discussion about Lloyd’s extraordinary career, creative philosophy, and the evolving language of jazz. He’ll also sit down with writer Ashley Kahn for a deep dive into the legacy of Blue Note Records, the art of record-making, and the stories behind some of the label’s most iconic releases. The storied musician, producer and label head might have another surprise or two up his sleeve. Stay tuned for more! |
Charles Lloyd and Don Was / Friday, March 28 / 11:30a / Blue Note Lounge Don Was and Ashley Kahn / Saturday, March 29 / 10:30a / Blue Note Lounge |
In Conversation
Julien Baker & TORRES with Ann Powers
Acclaimed author and music critic Ann Powers (NPR Music) hosts an intimate discussion with Julien Baker and TORRES. A key element to boygenius’ success is Baker’s hushed intensity, a quality she brings to her highly anticipated new project, Send a Prayer My Way, where she and TORRES, another master of raw, fearless songwriting, explore the attractions of folk-tinged storytelling. The conversation will delve into the personal politics of music, sonic experimentation, and the evolving landscapes of indie rock and Americana in their work.
Julien Baker & TORRES with Ann Powers
Wadada Leo Smith & Vijay Iyer with Ashley Kahn
Sunday, March 30 / Old City PAC / 10:30a
Join GRAMMY-winning author and critic Ashley Kahn for a thought-provoking discussion with composer, trumpeter, and Pulitzer finalist Wadada Leo Smith and composer, pianist, scholar, and MacArthur Fellow Dr. Vijay Iyer. Together, they will explore their shared musical history of two decades, and the vision behind their forthcoming album as a duo, Defiant Life, set for release on ECM Records, March 21. This conversation will offer a rare glimpse into the minds of two giants of contemporary music.
Wadada Leo Smith and Vijay Iyer with Ashley Kahn
Ganavya, Carlos Niño & Alabaster DePlume with Ann Powers
In this moderated discussion, author and music critic Ann Powers (NPR Music) is joined by musicians ganavya, Carlos Niño, and Alabaster DePlume to explore how music acts as a bridge for community building and how community shapes musical expression. Drawing from diverse traditions and personal narratives, these musicians share insights that illustrate the powerful ways shared melodies foster connection and belonging. This event is a must for anyone passionate about the unifying power of music.
ganavya, Carlos Niño, and Alabaster DePlume with Ann Powers
Lonnie Holley & Grayson Currin
Visionary artist and musician Lonnie Holley sits down with journalist Grayson Currin for an intimate conversation. The two will explore Holley’s unique creative journey, his powerful blend of visual art and music, and the deep, personal stories woven into his work.
Lonnie Holley and Grayson Currin
Essential Tremors: William Tyler
Thursday, March 27 / 2:00p / Visit Knoxville Visitor’s Center
Guitarist and composer William Tyler joins Essential Tremors for a live podcast recording on Thursday, March 27 at the Visit Knoxville Visitor’s Center. Known for his expansive, cinematic guitar work, Tyler will discuss his creative process, musical inspirations, and the art of storytelling through sound in this in-depth conversation.
