Horsegirl + Lifeguard
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYHORSEGIRLHorsegirl is a noisy rock trio from Chicago composed of Penelope Lowenstein (she/her), Nora Cheng (she/her), and Gigi Reece (they/them), all 17-18 years old. Horsegirl draws inspiration from shoegaze and post-punk, in the realm of ‘90’s American and UK indie underground. Together for just over a year, they have played contemporary art museums, all ages venues, open mics, and house parties.LIFEGUARDLifeguard is a punk-band-power-trio. Emerging out of the young and exciting windy city DIY scene with the likes of Horsegirl, Post Office Winter, and Friko, Lifeguard have become a part of a cultural moment. Though the members are all still in high school, they are on the forefront of a younger generation taking old music, understanding what made it great, applying it to their art and pushing it in the future. This isn’t a nostalgia act, this is a band for now, distilling lessons learned from SST, Dischord and Sub Pop and channeling it into fury and anxiety for the modern world. – Joe TrainorFLORRY After some folk/country directions on their 2021 EP, Big Fall, Philadelphia country band rock band Florry is back with their Dear Life debut, the four song Sweet Guitar Solos. Whoever gave them those directions did a pretty good job because on their new EP they definitely seem like they’ve gotten to where they needed to be. Culled from various outtakes recorded between 2021 and 2022, the band slips and slides from a four-piece lineup to a seven-piece band with two- three guitars, fiddle, pedal steel, and vocal accompaniment. The band does a lot of things, such as raggedy alt country, cowpunk, and country rock, but mostly they have fun. On an electric version of 2021 track Big Fall is frontwoman Francie Medosch, bassist Jared Radichel, second guitarist John Murray, and drummer Joey Sullivan. When I Kicked You Out of the Band (I Wasn’t Kicking You Out Of My Life) sees the band add vocal accompanist/acoustic guitar player Victoria Rose and fiddle player Will Henriksen, with Murray on lap steel. The band finally lands on their current lineup with Cowgirl in a Ditch, with Murray back on guitar and Sam Silbert on pedal steel. The band also covers Lisa’s Birthday from the Drive-By Truckers.
Summer Salt
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYSUMMER SALT Campanita, the new record from trop-pop duo Summer Salt out May 19 on Wax Bodega, is a breezy, blissful, and intimate monument to love, family, and everything in between. Its 12 tracks meander through sun-soaked and rose-tinted memories, deep rooted relationships and loss. The album drifts across a palette of dreamy jazz, bedroom pop, beachy bossa nova, and desert-night indie rock. There are guitars, keys, and gorgeous, cloud-light harmonies, but there are strings, synths, horns, and harmonicas, too. Campanita takes its title from a nickname given to Terry’s sister, Madeleine, by their grandmother. When Maddie and Terry’s cousin, Angelina, passed away in January 2021, Terry was shaken to his core; it was the first time he’d experienced this kind of loss. He became determined to create something that would live on and celebrate the life of both his sister and cousin forever. The process of creating the record allowed Terry to stay close to the two of them, and the end result is a work that will not die: it will live on forever, drifting through the heavy, warm southwestern air. The band will celebrate Campanita, their fourth full-length release, with a full US headline tour beginning in May. The LP is a bold step forward in Summer Salt’s skyward career arc, which has built from auspicious Austin, Texas roots to count more than one million monthly listeners on Spotify and nods from both Live Nation’s Ones To Watch and American Songwriter. Throughout the record’s creation, drummer, percussionist, and keyboardist Eugene Chung experimented with new sonic elements, building a sound that’s fuller and more textured. “As we get older and write more songs, Matt and I are getting more interested in the production side of things and trying to make things sound a little different than what we’ve been doing,” says Chung. Terry and Chung composed the songs while living apart—Terry in Dallas, Chung in San Francisco. They self-recorded much of the material before meeting in Fort Collins, CO in December 2022 to finish at The Blasting Room. Chris Beeble produced and engineered, and Joe LaPorta mastered the record. Anthony Barnett and Winston Triolo contributed guitar, bass, and backing vocals, and will join Summer Salt on their headline tour this spring. More than any record before it, Terry and Chung are excited to put Campanita into the world. “It’s here forever,” says Chung. “Time can’t take this away from us.” THE RARE OCCASSIONSThe Rare Occasions are an LA-based, New England-bred indie rock band known for their explosive garage rock anthems with catchy vocal harmonies. The band has toured nationally, won the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and released a vast catalog of music online. ADDISON GRACEAddison Grace has fast proven a phenomenon with their one-of-a-kind brand of intimate songcraft, a seemingly irresistible melding of mesmerizing bedroom pop, sharp humor, and an utterly individual online persona. The 21-year-old UT-based singer, songwriter, and social media star – who is non-binary and uses he/they pronouns – drew immediate attention with their breakthrough debut EP, IMMATURING, earning acclaim for their character-driven tales of unrequited love and teenage uncertainty, all etched with candor, wit, and originality.
Willie Watson
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYWILLIE WATSON For nearly two decades, Willie Watson has made modern folk music rooted in older traditions. He’s a folksinger in the classic sense: a singer, storyteller, and traveller, with a catalog of songs that bridge the gap between the past and present. On Folksinger Vol. 2, he acts as a modern interpreter of older songs, passing along his own version of the music that came long before him. Southern gospel. Railroad songs. Delta blues. Irish fiddle tunes. Appalachian music. Folksinger Vol. 2 makes room for it all. Produced by David Rawlings, the album carries on a rich tradition in folk music: the sharing and swapping of old songs. Long ago, the 11 compositions that appear on Folksinger Vol. 2 were popularized by artists like Leadbelly, Reverend Gary Davis, Furry Lewis, and Bascom Lamar Lunsford. The songs don’t actually belong to those artists, though. They don’t belong to anyone. Instead, they’re part of the folk canon, passed from generation to generation by singers like Watson. Arriving three years after Folksinger Vol. 1 — his first release since parting ways with the Old Crow Medicine Show, whose platinum-selling music helped jumpstart the 21st century folk revival — Vol. 2 expands Watson’s sound while consolidating his strengths. Several singers and sidemen make appearances here, including Gillian Welch, the Punch Brothers’ Paul Kowert, and Old Crow bandmate Morgan Jahnig. Even so, Watson has never sounded more commanding, more confident, more connected to the music that inspires him. Nodding to the past without resurrecting it, Willie Watson turns Folksinger Vol. 2 into something much more than an interpretation of older songs. The album carries on the spirit of a time nearly forgotten. It taps into the rich core of roots music. It furthers the legacy of American folk. And perhaps most importantly, it shows the full range of Willie Watson’s artistry, matching his instrumental and vocal chops with a strong appreciation for the songs that have shaped not only a genre, but an entire country.DYLAN WALSHEInternational touring & recording artist, Dylan Walshe, was born & raised in Dublin, Ireland. Dylan went on to hone his craft as a solo acoustic performer in London, then Europe, before eventually moving to Black Mountain, NC, which is where Dylan currently resides. Primarily a singer-songwriter, Dylan also sings traditional songs of the working classes & reinterprets a wide spectrum of songs in his own inimitable style. Dylan has received plaudits from such greats as Christy Moore, while No Depression has said “His voice is so strong and expressive, at once so holy and damned it can shake heaven and hell simultaneously. This suggests the old soul of a true roots artist, to be sure.”
Crystal Bowersox
– ALL AGES- FULLY SEATED SHOW- LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLECRYSTAL BOWERSOX Crystal Bowersox, a northwest Ohio native currently calling Nashville home, has built her life around music. Crystal’s love for music developed at an early age from a need to find peace in a chaotic world. Through art and creation, Crystal was able to direct her energy and emotion, finding a way to mend a mind in turmoil. For her, music was always the most effective form of catharsis, and she would play for anyone, anywhere. In her own words, “my guitar was an appendage. I couldn’t live without it.” Dead set on a career in music, Crystal moved to Chicago as a teenager, where she spent her days performing underground on subway platforms in between working odd jobs. While in the big city, she broadened her musical horizons and shared her talents with a variety of venues, ultimately auditioning for the ninth season of American Idol. Crystal’s time on the show proved to be well spent, as she immediately left the the soundstage for the recording studio. Since her introduction to the world through television, Crystal has released two LP’s, two EPs, and several singles. Additionally, she has used her talents to benefit several causes close to her heart, and has become an advocate and inspiration for people living with Type 1 Diabetes. To create her newest project, Crystal called on her “chosen family” of musicians. The combination of keeping those she cherishes close to her and taking an honest look at life has resulted in the truest music she has released to date. Crystal has drawn on her various influences — across folk-pop, classic rock, soul, blues and country — to make the kind of music that resonates with her spirit. It is both tender and tough, rough yet polished, and it encompasses many genres without falling neatly into one category. As one of her songwriting partners describes it, Crystal has “a voice like dirt and diamonds.” Her music is intended to bring a positive message of love and light to the world – things that folks will be able to take with them on their own journey, so that they, too, can feel truly alive.RYAN TAYLOR PRICE Ryan Taylor Price is a singer/songwriter in Asheville, North Carolina. Price was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and cut his teeth on Seattle’s dynamic music scene, where he was a founding member of successful bands Human Ladder and Alkai Diggins. Those rock n roll roots fuse his music with a fantastic raw energy, even as he leans into the imagery and storytelling of American Roots music. After an epic cross-county journey that involved a dog, a camper full of guitars, and an adventurous family, Price settled into the rich musical traditions of Western North Carolina, where he helped found The Greybirds, who were noted for their lyrical song writing and rich, vibey instrumentation. His outstanding vocals are a perfect complement to his musicianship, and his performances feature a seamless blending of the acoustic and electric experience. Price is always in pursuit of the next great song. For a great song, he believes, has the ability to heal, inspire, and connect people.
50th Anniversary of Watkins Glen Summer Jam (featuring Idlewild South, Dirty Dead, and Eric Travers Band)
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYIDLEWILD SOUTH (Allman Brothers Band)IDLEWILD SOUTH, The Allman Brothers Band Tribute, was founded by keyboardist and vocalist Don Eason, a veteran musician whose initial influence of The Allman Brothers Band’s live performance goes back to his first concert experience of the band on Easter Weekend of 1970, at The Winter’s End Concert in Bithlo, Florida. A duo of drummers, Robert Kintner and L.A. Freeman , plus percussionIst Roland J. Beckerman provide the foundation. Slide Guitarist/Vocalist Dave George and Lead Guitarist/ Vocalist Mark Mulholland bring forth the dual guitar harmonies and searing guitar leads Duane Allman and Dickey Betts pioneered in the late 1960’s. Former Dickey Betts Band Bassist Marty Privette holds down vocals and the bottom end for the band. In the tradition of The Allman Brothers Band, IDLEWILD SOUTH’s live shows can exceed a staggering 3 1/2 to 4 hours in length. The set lists are different every night, drawing from The Allman Brothers Bands self-titled debut album, 2nd album Idlewild South, Live At Fillmore East, Eat A Peach, and Brothers and Sisters, all recorded between 1969 and 1974. A few select songs from their albums between 1989 and 2000 are also included. Over the years IDLEWILD SOUTH has had the privilege of having Johnny Neel (Allman Brothers Band), Bruce Katz (Gregg Allman Band), Lamar Williams, Jr. (Son of former ABB Bassist Lamar Williams) and Guitarist Chris Hicks of The Marshall Tucker Band sit in for multiple shows. All of these great musicians will continue to play with IDLEWILD SOUTH as scheduling permits.DIRTY DEAD (Grateful Dead) Dirty Dead is a Grateful Dead / Jerry Garcia Band tribute band from Asheville, NC. The group creates fresh, new versions of the classic Dead tunes. Bringing in funk, reggae, hard rock, country, jazz flute and almost anything new and different, DD causes a ruckus with their new sound. Yet their roots to the music that Jerry and the Dead fostered is palpable. Dirty Dead’s performances strive for the same energy of improvisation to ‘bring out their dead’ vibe. The band is becoming known for its open, GD family vibe. They frequently welcome awesome talent to the stage to join the band for their epic sets. Since their first performance in September of 2016, the group has built a strong following. ERIC TRAVERS BAND (The Band)
DEHD
DEHD has partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 per ticket goes to supporting organizations working for equity, access, and dignity for all. – ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYDEHDUpon arrival during the fraught summer of 2020, Flower of Devotion felt like Dehd’s necessary prescription for us all. That was, of course, a moment of unprecedented anxiety and uncertainty, when just contemplating the future could seem overly optimistic. But Dehd captured and shared the precarious balance between real life and real hope, a feat mirrored by instant pop melodies and infectious punk energy. The Chicago trio had the audacity to look ahead when many of us didn’t, to imagine improvement through mere existence. It was an album we needed. We need its follow-up, the triumphant Blue Skies, even more. Dehd’s fourth album (and first for Fat Possum) is also the band’s second consecutive breakthrough, loaded with the most compelling, compulsive, and expansive songs of their career. Blue Skies offers another jolt of timely hope, only with twice the power. These 13 hits feel like flashlights in the dark, acknowledging how difficult everything from love and sex to living and dying can be while supplying the inspiration of their own experiences. “There’s a hole in my window/I was wondering how the rain was getting in,” Emily Kempf sings during the magnetic “Window,” acknowledging the problem before jubilantly exclaiming she’s moving toward something new. “Blue skies!” The rapturous reception of Flower of Devotion gave Dehd access to more resources — budgets, studios, producers. Rather than seek something new, however, they invested in themselves, their process, and their deep belief in what they have always done. They booked the same studio where they had recorded Flower of Devotion but tripled their stay, giving themselves time to play with arrangements and delight in a wonderland of drum machines and synthesizers. Through Dehd’s career, Jason Balla has been building his chops as a producer, so this was a chance to indulge and explore. Eric McGrady, meanwhile, considered how much more he could deliver as a drummer, adding layers to the thump of his past. And Emily, who admits that the process of making records has always been emotionally draining, focused on harnessing her indomitable energy, funneling her power into these songs without being overpowered by them. Dehd gave themselves runway to make mistakes and the space to make a statement. These 33 minutes run like a series of interconnected singles, each song so hooky and strong that you’ll be hard-pressed to name a favorite. The triumphant “Bad Love” is a surge of self-liberation, Emily leading the charge through an anthem about admitting your faults, seeking forgiveness, and finding a way forward. “I got a heart full/I got a heart full of redemption,” she offers at the start, a moment that suggests Springsteen writing with The Go-Go’s. A Tom Verlaine quiver to his voice, Jason takes a nighttime walk in the city as anxiety closes in during the irrepressible “Stars,” calming himself with a concrete reminder he’s still here. And there’s Eric’s splendid “Hold,” a chiming wonder with elastic bass lines and cascading piano parts that interlock beneath his hypnotic voice. He affirms the impact of simple acts of love.ULNA
OUTPOST: Pete’s Thing
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- RAIN OR SHINE- BADMINTON TOURNAMENT- 2PM-10PMLive Music Featuring:The Paper CrownsWoody WoodTony BlackMike Rhodes+ more! Back in 2003, I began hosting badminton parties at my Oakley house. Along with these parties came some great tunes from AL & Woody, Barefoot Manner, Hot ButterRum and so many more! It’s time to do it again. So on April 8th come on down and spend the day near the river. The music will start around 2:00 and go until past 9:00! You are welcome to bring your own food (charcoal grills available) or order a taco from the onsite Taqueria. I am very excited to say that my friends Woody Wood, Tony Black, and Mike Rhodes along with The Paper Crowns will be playing music for us. You have the option to join the Badminton tournament for an extra $10 fee. Cash Prizes and other goodies will be provided while playing. Random mixed-drawn teams, best of three games, & more to determined. Proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of WNC • Door Prizes• 50/50 proceeds going BBBS • Face Painting• Tye Dye Station — bring your own shirt!
OUTPOST: Pete’s Thing
– ALL AGES – STANDING ROOM ONLY – RAIN OR SHINE – BADMINTON TOURNAMENT – 1PM-8PM Live Music Featuring:The Pond Brothers – 1pm-4pmThe Paper Crowns – 5pm-8pmBack in 2003, I began hosting badminton parties at my Oakley house. Along with these parties came some great tunes from AL & Woody, Barefoot Manner, Hot ButterRum and so many more! It’s time to do it again. The Paper Crowns and The Pond Brothers will be providing the music this year. Come early to join the Badminton tournament see below for more details. Feel free to bring a dish but The Grey Eagle Taqueria taco truck will be on site. There will be a tye-dye station so bring an item if you wish. Badminton Info Random drawn doubles Sign up by 1:15 (in person or reach out to Pete for a later slot) Cash prizes Double elimination style Best of three You have the option to join the Badminton tournament for an extra $10 fee. Cash Prizes and other goodies will be provided while playing. Proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of WNC.
The Trouble Notes: Liberty Awaits Tour
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYTHE TROUBLE NOTES The Trouble Notes’ music is an eclectic fusion of genre across the entirety of the musical spectrum, creating a sound that is truly unique to its own. – Rob Underwood, BBC Radio Lincolnshire Sitting somewhere between world folk, modern classical, and tribal dance music, The Trouble Notes have traveled their way across continents in search of musical influences. Travel across oceans and time with the soulful melodies of Bennet’s violin and Carola’s voice as your body pulses with the explosive energy from Florian’s guitar. Worldly percussion rhythms transport the audience across genre with a uplifting spirit for which The Trouble Notes have become world renown. Their new show “More Violins, Less Violence” is packed with songs from their 2nd Studio album “Liberty Awaits”. Their repertoire brings the traditions of Europe and the Americas together and carries a message of Unity in Diversity. The includes songs like “Grand Masquerade” and “Never Dream Alone” that have featured in Videos amassing millions of views worldwide.Art and Music must be a force for healing in this world. Help us support children effected by Violence. 1 Dollar of every ticket and 1 Dollar of every More Violins, Less Violence Shirt will be donated to a charitable cause helping children affected by violence. LIFE LIKE WATERLife Like Water is a multi-colored tapestry of sounds and influences. With a focus on hypnotic rhythms, elegant vocal harmonies, and melodies that contain flavors of Africa, Ireland and the Middle East, the music of this eclectic ensemble is sure to uplift and inspire.
This is What Dreams Are Made Of: Disney Channel Dreams & 2000s Pop Throwbacks Dance Party
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYTHIS IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF: DISNEY CHANNEL DREAMS AND 2000s POP THROWBACKS DANCE PARTYA Disney Channel Dreams & 2000s pop throwback Dance Party in Asheville, presented by Le Petite Fete!
