The Lemonheads: Love Chant World Tour
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY THE LEMONHEADS The Lemonheads return in 2025 with Love Chant (out via Fire Records, October 24th), their first studio album in nearly two decades – a bold, melodic reaffirmation of Evan Dando’s singular songwriting voice. Written across continents and recorded primarily in São Paulo, Brazil, where Dando now resides, Love Chant finds the frontman reconnecting with longtime collaborators while introducing new creative voices. It’s a record of fresh starts and familiar sounds – emotionally raw, melodically rich, and unmistakably Lemonheads. The new album features contributions from J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr), Juliana Hatfield, Tom Morgan, Bryce Goggin, Erin Rae, and Nick Saloman of The Bevis Frond. It’s a diverse but coherent work – from the full-throttle hooks of “Deep End” to the spectral softness of “The Key Of Victory,” and the Modern Lovers-like drive of the title track. Co-released alongside Dando’s forthcoming memoir Rumours Of My Demise (via Faber, November 6th), Love Chant marks both a return and a reckoning – the sound of an artist who’s lived, lost, and located the thread once again. Formed in Boston in 1986, The Lemonheads have long thrived on that intersection between chaos and charm. With a revolving cast built around Dando’s melodic instincts and ragged charisma, their early punk roots were forged across three scrappy albums on local label Taang! before signing to Atlantic Records and releasing 1990’s Lovey. It was on tour for that record in Australia where Dando connected with Tom Morgan and future bandmate Nic Dalton – a meeting that reshaped the band’s songwriting and sound. Their commercial breakthrough came with 1992’s It’s A Shame About Ray and 1993’s Come On Feel The Lemonheads, both records that married punk energy with melodic pop, and established Dando as one of alternative rock’s most compelling figures. National TV appearances followed, and so did the tabloid glare – by the late ’90s, the music sometimes took a backseat to Dando’s unpredictable, chaotic public persona. He disbanded The Lemonheads in 1997 following a turbulent performance at Reading Festival. In 2003, he released his acclaimed solo album Baby I’m Bored – quieter and more introspective, it hinted at a new phase. But it wasn’t long before The Lemonheads were reborn. In 2006, a self-titled album marked a head-on collision of wordy ’70s punk and cosmic country, followed by Varshons (2009) and Varshons 2 (2019), two mixtape-like collections of cover versions that spanned Townes Van Zandt to GG Allin, Leonard Cohen to The Bevis Frond – always with the same emotional clarity and melodic magnetism that defines Dando’s output. Over the years, The Lemonheads’ shape has shifted – Descendents, Dinosaur Jr, Blake Babies and members of Fuzzy have all passed through the ranks – but at its core has always been Dando’s songwriting: wry, vulnerable, catchy, and true. With Love Chant, that core burns brightly once more. Recent years have only deepened the band’s influence. Artists like Courtney Barnett, Waxahatchee, Phoebe Bridgers and MJ Lenderman cite The Lemonheads as touchstones, covering their songs and praising their emotional candor and melodic economy. ERIN RAE
Scott Miller
ALL AGES SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE SCOTT MILLER “Long before co-founding that dapper twangpop outfit [The V-Roys], Miller logged many miles on the singer-songwriter trail as kind of a cross between John Prine and Loudon Wainwright III.” -No Depression “Scott Miller’s songwriting has always balanced wit with woe.” -Relix Recently inducted to the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame, fiery roots-rock singer/songwriter SCOTT MILLER returned to his native Virginia to tend the family farm while continuing to release and perform new music informed by that rural area, history, and Appalachia. The Staunton nativefirst made a name for himself in the 90s as guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter with the superb pop/rock band the V-Roys before establishing himself as a gifted and eclectic solo artist, first with his ad hoc group the Commonwealth and later on his own. “[Miller combines] the emotional honesty and intelligence of a singer/songwriter with the swagger and enthusiasm of a rock & roller… a gifted and eclectic solo artist.” (AllMusic.com). As seen on tour with Patty Griffin, Robbie Fulks, Paul Thorn and American Aquarium. TIN ROOF ECHO Born in the musically storied city of Macon, Georgia but rooted in Asheville, North Carolina since the late ’90s, Joe Hooten has spent the past two decades crafting a singular voice under the name Tin Roof Echo. Since his 2014 debut The Original Plan, Hooten has released seven albums, each steeped in raw, introspective songwriting and a fiercely DIY spirit that lets the songs speak plainly and powerfully.While his early work showcased a lo-fi, home-recorded aesthetic, 2024’s Flowers Falling signals a bold step forward. Secretly tracked over several months with producer Kevin Boggs at Loc-Level Sound in Asheville, the album features a cast of celebrated collaborators from Steep Canyon Rangers, Drive-By Truckers, and the Amy Ray Band. It was mastered by the legendary John Keane (R.E.M., Indigo Girls, Widespread Panic) in Athens, Georgia, and blends aching Americana with soulful grit and melodic urgency. Hooten’s 2021 live album Mornings Are for Singing—recorded in stairwells at his day job—remains a cult favorite for its warmth and originality.A staple of Southeastern stages, Hooten has played iconic venues like the Grey Eagle, Evening Muse, and Orange Peel, and appeared at festivals including Enofest, Finsterfest, AVLFest, and the inaugural AVL Punkfest. He’s shared bills with a broad and respected roster including Scott Miller, Freedy Johnston, David Childers, Agent Orange, Soul Asylum, and PYLON REENACTMENT SOCIETY.Beyond the stage, he helped organize Caverns of Gold: A Benefit for WNC Hurricane Relief, a Bandcamp-exclusive compilation supporting grassroots aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. He’s currently collecting and distributing gently-used guitars and other stringed instruments for Asheville Middle School students. Oh—and when he’s not breaking hearts, he makes plenty of glorious noise with his punk band, PINKEYE.
MaMuse
ALL AGES SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE MAMUSE Join MaMuse for an evening of music and song to uplift the spirits and rejuvenate the soul. MaMuse (“Ma” as in Mamma; “Muse” as in the one who inspires) is returning to Asheville with their band to share harmonic, uplifting, luscious, folk-soul: a musical tune-up for the heart. Wholeheartedly fed by the folk and gospel traditions, MaMuse (Sarah Nutting and Karisha Longaker) create uplifting music to inspire the world into thriving. Interweaving brilliant and haunting harmony with lyrics born of honed emotional intelligence, MaMuse invokes a musical presence that inspires the opening of the heart. Playing a family of varied acoustic instruments, including upright bass, guitar, mandolins, and flutes, while backed by guitar and keys, these two powerful women embody a love for all life. The synergy created through this musical connection is palpable and truly moving to witness. “Weaving extraordinary voices with surprising syncopation, MaMuse’s soulful folk commitment is evident with every note.” ”Vocal bliss” — Dan DeWayne, California WorldFest With fifteen delicious years of co-creation and five full length albums under their belts, MaMuse keep their hearts tuned to the creation of music for the health of ALL BEINGS. Come one, come all, and invite your friends to weave a tapestry of joy and connection together through song.
David Wilcox Annual Thanksgiving Homecoming Concert
ALL AGESFULLY SEATED SHOWLIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLEDAVID WILCOX There are songwriters who chronicle life, and then there’s David Wilcox—an artist who metabolizes it. He has long been a quiet force in American folk music; a musician’s musician, a writer’s writer, and a seeker whose gift lies in making the personal feel universal. With the upcoming release of The Way I Tell the Story (2025), Wilcox proves, yet again, that resilience isn’t just a survival skill—it’s an art form. The record shimmers with musical sophistication but leaves just enough space for the listener to feel what Wilcox has always done best: tell the truth, gently but without apology. The music he’s creating now comes from a place that can’t be faked. In recent years, Wilcox’s life has been shaped by his wife’s Parkinson’s diagnosis—a shift that reordered his priorities and redefined his sense of time, love, and presence. But rather than retreat, Wilcox leaned in. “Times get tough, and music gets good,” he says, and means it. These songs don’t dramatize. They don’t resolve neatly. They sit in the complexity of living—open-eyed, unafraid, quietly brave. Wilcox’s career began in earnest in the late 1980s, when his self-released debut The Nightshift Watchman caught the attention of A&M Records. His major-label debut, How Did You Find Me Here (1989), became an unexpected hit, selling over 100,000 copies largely by word of mouth and live shows alone—an unheard-of feat for a debut folk record. Critics took note of his deft guitar work and emotional clarity, but it was the unassuming wisdom threaded through his lyrics that truly set him apart. Rolling Stone praised his “soulful insight,” while The New York Times called his music “a kind of open-hearted therapy.” Wilcox’s music still resonates, especially now, because it doesn’t try to outpace the moment. It meets it. In his world, craft is a form of care. Introspection is a public offering. And staying soft in a hard world isn’t a liability—it’s a kind of leadership. For audiences seeking something more than noise, more than nostalgia, Wilcox’s songs remain a rare kind of company. Not flashy. Not loud. Just deeply, generously alive.
Drivin N Cryin
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYDRIVIN N CRYIN In 1985 Drivin N Cryin played their first show at Atlanta’s famed 688 Club. Recent inductees to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Music Hall of Fame, founding members Kevn Kinney, Tim Nielsen and longtime drummer Dave V Johnson find themselves enjoying a continued legacy, having survived the pressures of fame, a shifting musical landscape, multiple lineup changes, traveling miles of back roads and highways to arrive here. Latest projects include a re-release of Mystery Road on Island Records (Universal), a Darius Rucker cover of the band’s beloved anthem “Straight To Hell”, a remastered 1997 eponymous album re-released as Too Late To Turn Back Now followed by the latest studio album Live The Love Beautiful and the ongoing 100+ song tribute series to the songwriting of Kevn Kinney Recent dates with Hootie & The Blowfish, The Black Crowes, Blackberry Smoke, Marshall Tucker Band and Jason Isbell amid touring the US and abroad on their own including repeat appearances on Rock Boat, Outlaw Country Cruise, Moon Crush and other specialty events. Comfortable in their past and confident in their future, Drivin N Cryin are armed with an arsenal of songs, a full tank of gas and no intention of stopping any time soon. LAID BACK COUNTRY PICKER Laid Back Country Picker and Honey are the Hillbilly Power Duo. Picking up where the White Stripes left off, they deliver a blistering show, equal parts 70s Guitar Rock, Honky Tonk and Country Punk. They have toured internationally, opening for the likes of Deep Purple as well as playing festivals and clubs across the US. Blurring the lines with wit, humor and hot picking, LB is his own genre. Imagine Waylon Jennings sitting in with Motorhead.
PATIO (FREE): The Nature Boys
– ALL AGES – FREE SHOW- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE NATURE BOYS Nature Boys is a trio of longtime Asheville musicians, featuring some from Town Mountain—Jesse Langlais, Jack Devereux, and Nick DiSebastian. Their sound is rooted in bluegrass among other things. Come enjoy this new Asheville trio!
PATIO: Bam-a-Lam
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BAM-A-LAM This duo of guitar/drums one-man-band multi-dextrous rock-n-roll fire and standup bass acrobatics with harmony singing appears to have several more arms and heads (than 4 and 2 respectively) and serve up lo-fi pop aural satisfaction. Made up of Asheville musical veterans Jason Krekel and Craig Kelberg who combined have performed under more bands and diverse genre styles than can be counted…Has to be seen to be believed!
PATIO: Jesse Valcich and Skylar Gowanloch
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE JESSE VALCICH AND SKYLAR GOWANLOCH Jesse Valcich and Skylar Gowanloch are American musicians, singers, and songwriters seeking to express the existential tug of human experience through an eclectic music style and poetic lyricism. Skylar’s subtle and vibrant lyricism takes her listeners on long journeys through unfolding emotional landscapes. Jesse, known both for his solo work and his role as guitarist and singer of the band Strictly Liquid, is more on the nose. Whether it’s stripped down acoustic arrangements or loud and rowdy electric compositions, Jesse digs his heels deep into the raw unfolding nature of sound. Drawing inspiration from The Beatles, The Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Phish, their contemporary americana sound blends elements of blues, jam, rock-n-roll, and experimental noise. Jesse’s soon-to-be-released folk album “I See You Now in Everything,” featuring Skylar and recorded in the back of their Ford E250 conversion van, will be available to stream in the spring of 2025 across all platforms along with past releases, “Weird Year” and “Surrender Into Grace.”
Dogpark
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY DOGPARK Dogpark got their start performing at University of Richmond (their alma-mater), before launching into sell-out shows across the country. The band consists of Eamon Moore (lead vocals), Chris Conte (drums), Declan Harris (lead guitar), and Billy Apostolou (bass/guitar)). Infectious stage presence and an homage to the indie-rock of the 90s have kick-started their career from a backyard band to a mainstage group. The band’s EP, ‘Breaking in Brooklyn,’ proves that they are here to make a mark, and with the release of their upcoming second EP, they’re just getting started. LIMITED NUMBER OF ‘DOGPARK’S VIP HANG’ PACKAGES AVAILABLE Includes: One (1) General Admission ticket, Invitation to an intimate pre-show experience with Dogpark, including: Intimate 2-song performance by the band, Q&A session. Commemorative laminate signed by the band, Merchandise shopping opportunity before doors open, Early entry into the venue
Bit Brigade Performs “Super Mario World” + “F-Zero” LIVE
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY BIT BRIGADE Bit Brigade performs rock covers of full NES game soundtracks as their gamer speedruns the game live on stage. “When was the last time you attended a live music performance with a genuine element of risk involved? And no, going to a Gwar show with a white t-shirt on doesn’t count. When Bit Brigade takes the stage your mind will frantically oscillate between “Oh! Agh!! Please don’t die!!” and “YES! He’s doing it!!”Combining the dread and daring of a live video game speed run with the spot-on technique of a live band covering the musical accompaniment to everything you’re seeing on-screen in real time, Bit Brigade will have you swinging between the two mediums. From thrashing about to live renditions of your favorite stage themes, fingers yearning to the sky in a rock ‘n roll parody of sea anemones seeming to silently plead, “Please, feed us more fretboard pyrotechnics!,” to being locked in stock-still rapture as the infallible maestro of the d-pad, Noah McCarthy, takes on the final boss and risks his video game life under the threat of intense peer scorn (or the reward of night-long glory and a credits score). No matter the outcome, Bit Brigade must play on until the deed is done – which it always is – on the first (and last) try. Once Noah’s NES buzzes on, there’s no turning back.” – Metalhead Mike of The Shizz, summer 2011
