CELEBRATING LIFE, LITERATURE, LAUGHTER, AND MORE
Festival Pass Update
Will Big Ears 2025 sell out? When are passes being shipped to me? Is this a scam? In case you missed, it, we shared updated information about festival passes last week.
You can find it here.
Welcoming Billy Collins and Geoff Dyer
We are delighted to announce that two of our favorite literary figures – America’s beloved and celebrated poet Billy Collins – and British novelist, essayist, and enlightening cultural commentator Geoff Dyer – will join us for Big Ears 2025 in just a few short weeks.
Billy Collins

Dubbed “the most popular poet in America” by Bruce Weber in the New York Times, Billy Collins is an American phenomenon. No poet since Robert Frost has managed to combine high critical acclaim with such broad popular appeal. “Luring his readers into the poem with humor, Mr. Collins leads them unwittingly into deeper, more serious places, a kind of journey from the familiar to quirky to unexpected territory, sometimes tender, often profound.” (The New York Times) Music, especially a love for jazz, is woven throughout his work. His latest collection of poetry is Water, Water.
Geoff Dyer

Geoff Dyer’s many books include four novels and a compelling range of non-fiction spanning travel, photography, literary analysis, cultural criticism and beyond. He appeared at Big Ears in 2023, reading from his deeply moving But Beautiful: A Book About Jazz – a unique “historical novel” that Keith Jarrett declared “…the only book about jazz that I have recommended to my friends.” His latest collection of essays, The Last Days of Roger Federer, is a beguiling meditation on the last days and works of writers, painters, musicians, and tennis stars.
Carlos Niño Salons

After appearing at Big Ears last year with Andre 3000, the visionary percussionist and producer Carlos Niño returns with an amazing band this coming March, and then will host a couple of “salons” later in the weekend with a shapeshifting cast of special collaborators and guests.
Friday, March 28 – Carlos Niño Salon Night 1: Subtle Movements Trio
Surya Botofasina, Nate Mercereau, Carlos Niño & Special Guest + an Opening DJ set by Carlos Niño
A salon of deep listening and spontaneous creation, where Niño and his circle of sonic travelers—including keyboardist and healer Surya Botofasina, shape-shifting guitarist Nate Mercereau, and surprise guests—conjure waves of resonance, rhythm, and revelation.
Saturday, March 29 – Carlos Niño Salon Night 2: First Time Trio
Carlos Niño, Laraaji & Idris Ackamoor + an Opening DJ set by Carlos Niño & some Conversation
A meeting of three luminous musical explorers—Carlos Niño, Laraaji, and Idris Ackamoor—coming together for the first time in an open, improvisational journey. With Niño’s intuitive percussion, Laraaji’s radiant zither, and Ackamoor’s soulful saxophone, this salon will unfold as a fluid conversation in sound—spontaneous, meditative, and full of possibility.
Laughter: The Best Medicine Playshop with Laraaji and Arji OceAnanda

We’re delighted to have New Age ambient music pioneer Laraaji return to Big Ears this year. As already announced, he’ll perform music from his new three album project of solo piano improvisation entitled Sun Piano, Moon Piano, and Through Luminous Eyes and join Carlos Nino for a special show, but there’s more!
Laraaji will once again collaborate with sound healer, musician, and Shakti Reiki master, Arji OceAnanda, to lead a couple of laughter and sound release playshops through guided call and response chanting, internal ‘laughter-cises,’ and playful interactions accompanied by music. These interactive, invigorating, uplifting and meditative experiences will offer an opportunity to revive yourself with gentle body movement, relaxation, and periods of intuitive wisdom and deep stillness.
Welcoming First Presbyterian Church

Knoxville’s historic First Presbyterian Church – located just behind the Tennessee Theatre – has long been a vital behind-the-scenes partner for Big Ears, serving as a rehearsal space for many of the unforgettable concerts and performances we have presented over the last 16 years.
This year, the church will host not one, but two separate and unique venues for a full slate of special performances during the festival weekend – the serene and intimate Chapel as well as the soaring and beautiful Sanctuary. Each with its own unique atmosphere, these new venue additions will provide the perfect setting for more than 20 special performances during Big Ears weekend, which we’ll be sharing next week when we release our detailed 2025 festival schedule.
Remembering Susan Alcorn

We were deeply saddened and surprised to learn of Susan Alcorn’s passing last week. She was undoubtedly one of the most creative and adventurous exponents of the pedal steet guitar, taking it far beyond its traditional role in country music, but she was also warm, engaging, and delightful person. Her appearance at Big Ears in 2018 was an immense pleasure, with her solo performances of Astor Piazzolla’s tangos among our most cherished festival memories. We were so looking forward to her return this year. The world has lost a true visionary.
May she rest in peace.