Squirrel Nut Zippers: Celebrating 30 Years of “Hot”
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY SQUIREL NUT ZIPPERS When Hot first hit the airwaves in 1996, it didn’t just ignite excitement — it sparked a cultural bonfire. With its infectious blend of swing, jazz, Delta blues, and Southern storytelling, Hot rocketed Squirrel Nut Zippers from the underground scene of Chapel Hill, NC, to the national stage, going Platinum and defining a generation’s rediscovery of vintage Americana. The band’s breakout sophomore album captured lightning in a bottle. Recorded at the famed Kingsway Studio in New Orleans (owned by Daneil Lanois), the record radiated with authenticity. Featuring a warm, analog sound, paired with wry, vivid storytelling, the album topped the Billboard 200 charts for an impressive 51 weeks and included such standout tracks as “Put a Lid On It,” “Blue Angel,” and its biggest hit to-date “Hell.” “Hell,” which at the time, was considered an unlikely radio single, topped the Alternative Airplay charts at #13 and has become a pivotal piece of pop culture as it continues to heat up the radio and TV airwaves, appearing on alt rock and Americana stations and in such prominent television shows as Wednesday (2025) and Lucifer (2021). Now, 30 years later, the Zippers are celebrating the ever-lasting magic of Hot with the “In The Afterlife” tour, where the band will play the record in its entirety. The 30th celebration of Hot is not just a look back — it’s a salute to resilience, innovation, and the enduring power of a band that never stopped evolving. Formed in 1993 by Jimbo Mathus, Katharine Whalen, and a tight-knit group of musical misfits, Squirrel Nut Zippers defied genre from the start. Their sound — an intoxicating mix of prohibition-era jazz, big band bravado, and punk-rock irreverence — invited listeners into a world where vaudeville met voodoo and speakeasy swagger met Southern soul. Led by Mathus, and managed by original drummer Chris Phillips, the modern-day Zippers continue to honor that legacy while breathing new life into their beloved catalog. As the Squirrel Nut Zippers bring Hot back to the stage, fans old and new are rediscovering what made the album — and the band — so unforgettable. Music that swings, sings, and sizzles with soul.
PATIO SHOW: Blue Cactus
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVEBLUE CACTUS Rooted in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Blue Cactus got their start among the active honky-tonk circuit, developing an electrified twang that now branches out effortlessly into folk, alt-country, and psychedelic-tinged rock. Having released three records to critical acclaim, they have grown a cult following in the South and beyond, their introspective lyricism and blistering guitar techniques making the band potent in the studio and on stage. Their 2025 album Believer was hailed in Bandcamp’s Best New Country list and earned them slots on SXSW, Hopscotch Fest’s main stage opening for Geese and My Morning Jacket, and PBS’ new original series, Shaped By Sound. Blue Cactus have toured throughout the US, developing a dedicated cult following. From intimate clubs to major festival stages, Blue Cactus is known for connecting deeply with audiences wherever they go.
Woody Wood & Abe Reid (of The Blue Rags)
ALL AGES PATIO SHOW- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE 3 NIGHT RUN: 5.25, 5.26, 5.27 5PM DOORS // 6PM SHOW WOODY WOOD & ABE REID (of The Blue Rags) The Blue Rags were a revivalist, ragtime boogie-woogie band from Asheville. Woody and Abe are going to reignite that magic fire! Aaron “Woody” Wood is an old soul as authentic as the foothills from which he emerged. When pressed on it, he calls his music “Cosmic Appalachian Soul.” He is steeped in the old Delta blues and the folk music from these mountains while fearlessly leaning into rock, soul and funk. It’s common to look around in the audience for his local shows and see lots of other musicians in the room just soaking in what Woody does. (from Where Y’at?) Abe Reid is a North Carolina blues musician and one of the modern keepers of the Piedmont blues tradition. Reid won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, one of the most respected competitions in blues music.
Woody Wood & Abe Reid (of The Blue Rags)
ALL AGES PATIO SHOW- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE 3 NIGHT RUN: 5.25, 5.26, 5.27 5PM DOORS // 6PM SHOW WOODY WOOD & ABE REID (of The Blue Rags) The Blue Rags were a revivalist, ragtime boogie-woogie band from Asheville. Woody and Abe are going to reignite that magic fire! Aaron “Woody” Wood is an old soul as authentic as the foothills from which he emerged. When pressed on it, he calls his music “Cosmic Appalachian Soul.” He is steeped in the old Delta blues and the folk music from these mountains while fearlessly leaning into rock, soul and funk. It’s common to look around in the audience for his local shows and see lots of other musicians in the room just soaking in what Woody does. (from Where Y’at?) Abe Reid is a North Carolina blues musician and one of the modern keepers of the Piedmont blues tradition. Reid won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, one of the most respected competitions in blues music.
Woody Wood & Abe Reid (of The Blue Rags)
ALL AGES PATIO SHOW- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE 3 NIGHT RUN: 5.25, 5.26, 5.27 5PM DOORS // 6PM SHOW WOODY WOOD & ABE REID (of The Blue Rags) The Blue Rags were a revivalist, ragtime boogie-woogie band from Asheville. Woody and Abe are going to reignite that magic fire! Aaron “Woody” Wood is an old soul as authentic as the foothills from which he emerged. When pressed on it, he calls his music “Cosmic Appalachian Soul.” He is steeped in the old Delta blues and the folk music from these mountains while fearlessly leaning into rock, soul and funk. It’s common to look around in the audience for his local shows and see lots of other musicians in the room just soaking in what Woody does. (from Where Y’at?) Abe Reid is a North Carolina blues musician and one of the modern keepers of the Piedmont blues tradition. Reid won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, one of the most respected competitions in blues music.
Woody Wood & Abe Reid (of The Blue Rags)
ALL AGES PARTIALLY SEATED SHOW WOODY WOOD & ABE REID (of The Blue Rags) The Blue Rags were a revivalist, ragtime boogie-woogie band from Asheville. Woody and Abe are going to reignite that magic fire! Aaron “Woody” Wood is an old soul as authentic as the foothills from which he emerged. When pressed on it, he calls his music “Cosmic Appalachian Soul.” He is steeped in the old Delta blues and the folk music from these mountains while fearlessly leaning into rock, soul and funk. It’s common to look around in the audience for his local shows and see lots of other musicians in the room just soaking in what Woody does. (from Where Y’at?) Abe Reid is a North Carolina blues musician and one of the modern keepers of the Piedmont blues tradition. Reid won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, one of the most respected competitions in blues music.
FREE PATIO SHOW: Canon Tyler
– ALL AGES- FREE SHOW- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVECANON TYLER Canon Tyler is a singer-songwriter & guitarist from the hills of North Georgia. With sonic elements of Bluegrass and Contemporary Acoustic Music, Tyler’s lyrics blend the story telling aspects of traditional American folk and Laurel Canyon era singer-songwriters. Together this creates a sound that is both fresh and familiar to fans of roots music. Tyler’s latest album, “Thickets & Brambles” is an homage to the rich heritage of North Georgia. Consisting of 10 tracks, “Thickets” delves into the heart of the region’s musical legacy. Through introspective lyrics and narrative storytelling, Tyler invites listeners on a personal journey of life in the foothills. Sonically, the album is a tapestry of Bluegrass, Appalachian Folk music, and Folk-Country, creating a sound that echoes the landscapes of North Georgia. The inclusion of banjo, fiddle, and Tyler’s own flatpicked guitar adds layers of depth and authenticity to each track. “Thickets & Brambles” is a musical exploration that captures the spirit of North Georgia while offering a heartfelt reflection on coming of age in the modern world.
FREE PATIO SHOW: Woody Wood
– ALL AGES- FREE SHOW- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVEWOODY WOODCosmic appalachian soul.
PATIO SHOW: All Night Boogie Band
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVEALL NIGHT BOOGIE BAND All Night Boogie Band is an award-winning blues, rock and soul-inspired band that formed in the Green Mountains of Vermont. Since 2021, the experienced quintet (and occasionally octet, with horns) has loudly expressed unique sound full of originality, vigor, and dedication to the resonance of great American music. With 2 full-length LP’s of original music, the semi-finalists of the 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis have added a 2023 New England Music Award as a “Rising Star”, a 2025 New England Music Award nomination for “Best Blues Act”, and a 2025 Seven Daysies Award for “Best Blues Group” to their name. Their dynamic and high-energy live shows have been said to be “things of legend”. Their 3rd LP will be released July 2026.
Freddie McClendon w/ Tripp Todd
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY FULL BAND SHOW FREDDIE McCLENDON Freddie McClendon is a singer-songwriter from Greenwood, South Carolina. He first fell in love with music as a child living in a retirement home where his dad worked, spending his earliest years dressing up as Elvis and performing for the residents who encouraged him to perform. After his father’s shocking murder in 2023, McClendon turned to writing songs as a way to process his grief. In 2024 he released Present Memories. In 2025 he appeared on Season 23 of American Idol, performing his original song “You Never Loved Him,” which moved Carrie Underwood to tears and prompted Luke Bryan to call him “the next Paul Simon.” McClendon’s songwriting often blends personal history with observations about the South, most notably in his viral single King Henry, which challenges the “Good Ole Boys” system and generational corruption in South Carolina. His live shows have grown steadily, selling out in numerous markets across the southeast. His unreleased tracks “Drinkin’ Crimes,” “Rambler,” and “Lover” have already drawn millions of views ahead of their official release, and he plans to release new music throughout 2026. In early 2026, he will also join SUSTO on their North American tour as a supporting act. TRIPP TODD Tripp Todd is a Asheville raised and Nashville-based indie rock band, blending pop sensibility with alt-country soundscapes. Drawing inspiration from acts like the Beatles, MJ Lenderman, Jeff Buckley, Wednesday, and Wilco, the band combines deeply melodic hooks with raw, jagged instrumentals
