REMAINING PASSES / ONLY AT BIG EARS
As announced last September, we are capping the number of passes for the 2024 festival at last year’s levels to help ensure an optimal Big Ears experience for all who attend. At this point, over 96% of 2024 passes have been sold — and both 4-Day Weekend passes and Saturday Single Day passes are rapidly dwindling, with Sunday in particular not far behind. How long will passes be available? Who knows…that’s up to you.
Remember: if you purchase your pass before this coming Saturday, March 9, your RFID wristbands will be delivered to you in the mail, allowing you to skip the registration process and hit the ground running when you arrive in Knoxville! Purchase your pass here.
Last Call for Big Ears Passholders for André 3000 Shows
The exclusive opportunity for Big Ears passholders to purchase tickets to one of André 3000’s five intimate shows during the festival will only last a few more days. Early next week, the few remaining passes will be made available for the general public. You can re-use your Front Gate Tickets confirmation number from your 4-Day or Single-Day pass purchase as a passcode to access and secure additional tickets. Don’t risk missing out on this special opportunity. More details.
Only at Big Ears
John Paul Jones
Bassist, keyboard and mandolin player, composer, and arranger John Paul Jones – once in a little band called Led Zeppelin that made waves back in the day – has three rare, first-time-ever in North America performances scheduled for Big Ears: a solo concert of primary piano and electronics on Friday, March 22, at 2 p.m. at the Tennessee Theatre; Sons of Chipotle, an adventuresome duo with cello virtuoso Anssi Kartunnen on Saturday, March 23, at 3:30 p.m. also at the Tennessee Theatre; and a collaboration with guitarist and Sonic Youth founder Thurston Moore, truly a musical meeting of the minds, on Sunday, March 24, at 5:45 p.m. at the Mill & Mine.
Chocolate Genius, Inc.
Marc Anthony Thompson’s underappreciated yet brilliant recordings under Chocolate Genius, Inc. were reevaluated in The New Yorker by Hanif Abdurraqib last spring. Now, the Big Ears Festival excitedly welcomes Thompson for a rare performance of the 1998 album Black Music, alongside an all-star band featuring guitarist Marc Ribot, keyboard player John Medeski, Spencer Murphy on bass, and Claude Coleman Jr (Ween) on drums. Friday, March 22, at 8 p.m. at the Bijou Theatre.
The Harvest Time Project
Jazz legend Pharoah Sanders’ profound music continues to resonate posthumously, following his earthly departure in 2022. His iconic 1977 recording, 𝓟𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓸𝓪𝓱, re-released by Luaka Bop Records, has inspired The Harvest Time Project. Led by Josh Abrams and Tisiji Muñoz, they will be joined by special surprise guests to create a unique and unforgettable homage to Sanders at the Big Ears Festival on Sunday, March 24, at 2:00 p.m. at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium.
Joe Henry and the Julian Lage Trio
Joe Henry, known for his unflinching yet poetic and eloquent songwriting, returns to the Big Ears Festival on Sunday, March 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Tennessee Theatre, joined by none other than guitarist Julian Lage and his trio. Their anticipated performance follows closely behind the release of Lage’s latest album, Speak to Me, produced under the watchful eye of Henry himself.
Christian McBride with Rhiannon Giddens and Francesco Turrisi
Among his several Big Ears performances, bass virtuoso Christian McBride brings the North American debut of a new trio, with singer and instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens and multi-instrumentalist Francesco Turrisi. After dazzling reviews of the group’s second gig at London’s Wigmore Hall last summer, we’re eagerly anticipating their appearance on Saturday, March 23, at 8 p.m. at the Tennessee Theatre.
