NEW FESTIVAL ADDITIONS! / LAYAWAY PLAN ENDS SOON
bar italia
We’ve had to keep this one under wraps until now, but we’re delighted to have bar italia, the London trio of Nina Cristante, Jezmi Tarik Fehmi and Sam Fenton, join us in March. Evoking Serge Gainsbourg / Jane Birkin as well as The Cure and Slowdive, we find them totally addictive and bet you will too. Though their existence has been brief, they’ve already been feted as London’s most exciting new band.
Amythyst Kiah
Amythyst Kiah delivered breathtaking, show-stopping moments when she appeared with Yo-Yo Ma and Friends during Our Common Nature: An Appalachian Celebration in Knoxville this past May 27, not to mention the night before with Chris Thile at the Bijou Theatre. Now, we’re thrilled to welcome her to Big Ears proper.
Eli Winter Trio
An “elegant and emotive” musician whose music reaches far, wide, and deep into the traditions of what Griel Marcus called “the old weird America, Eli Winter is another great young artist reminding us that our traditions and the futures that they inform are in very gifted hands indeed.
Joseph Allred
It’s a special honor to be able to present musicians like Joseph Allred at Big Ears. Working quietly but prolifically outside the spotlight, his music is not merely guitar virtuosity but conveys a deep mystical connection to the natural world and the hymns and musical traditions of the rural south.
Drum Major Instinct
Drum Major Instinct is an experimental music duo from Asheville, North Carolina. With Jeff Arnal on percussion and Curt Cloninger on modular synthesizer, the duo have honed in on a sound that encompasses waves of energy, patterns within patterns (within patterns), sounds from the natural world, and running the voodoo down.
Matt Mitchell
Matt Mitchell is a pianist and composer interested in the intersections of various strains of acoustic, electric, composed, and improvised new music. In addition to his performance with flutist, saxophonist, and composer Anna Webber on Friday, March 22, he’ll perform his own solo piano show.
Wyatt Ellis
A mandolin wunderkind, at just 14-years-old Wyatt Ellis has quickly become one of the most-watched young musicians in Bluegrass. He has been championed by many of Bluegrass’ finest, including Tennessee-bred virtuoso mandolinist Sierra Hull. With two songs in the top five on the Bluegrass Today Chart and a recent Grand Ole Opry debut, he is well on his way. Watch him pick and pluck on Saturday, March 23.
The Tennessee Sheiks
The Tennessee Sheiks, familiar faces to East Tennesseans, are sticking to their roots by joining us at next year’s Big Ears Festival. They trade solos on Swing, Bluegrass, Blues, Alt country, Jazz, and originals, creating a distinctive exchange and synergy that make each performance a joy. Come experience that joy on Thursday, March 21.
JG Thirlwell – Silver Mantis
We’ve already mentioned that JG Thirlwell + Ensemble will be joining us in 2024 to perform re-imagined versions of songs from his Foetus canon and beyond, but now we’re excited to announce that he’ll also bring his Silver Mantis project. Silver Mantis is a 50-minute electro-acoustic presentation, performed with software and sampling, theremin, prepared piano, and a projection created exclusively for the project by acclaimed Swedish visual artist Sten Backman. Silver Mantis has enraptured audiences at prestigious international venues such as Roulette Intermedia, Cafe Oto, and Elastic Arts — and now Big Ears Festival.
Big Ears Layaway Plan Ends Soon!
Layaway plans for 4-Day and single-day festival passes are available until Saturday, January 13. Between now and then, you can secure your pass for as little as $44. Upon checkout, after selecting your pass and confirming your mailing address, simply select “2024 Big Ears Layaway Plan.” After your initial deposit, remaining payments will be automatically made via the method of your choosing. Don’t miss your opportunity to take advantage of this convenient payment option – head over to our website, check out the options, and grab your pass to “one of the world’s greatest music bashes” (New York Times) today. Buy passes now!
