Hatch Amphitheater Soft Opening with Phuncle Sam
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLY- FREE SHOW HATCH AMPHITHEATER SOFT OPENING WITH PHUNCLE SAM We’ve been working hard over at The Grey Eagle to bring you a brand new outdoor space to enjoy live music—filling the void left by the sad loss of The Outpost. Join us for a Free Show on Sunday, March 30, 2025, from 4:00PM to 7:00PM at The Hatch Amphitheater (42 South French Broad). This is our soft opening, and we’d love for you to come out, show your support, and help us break in the new space with good vibes and great music from Phuncle Sam: Asheville’s own Dead-Centric “jam band”. Since their formation in 2004, Phuncle Sam has been firmly rooted in musical exploration. The band serves up inventive interpretations of Jerry Garcia, Grateful Dead, and many others. They have built up a faithful following by using an approach that respects the improvisational traditions of The Grateful Dead, while exploring what can happen when individual band members bring their unique influences and interpretations into the mix. Stay tuned—there’s a lot more live music coming your way at The Hatch Amphitheater. See you there!
PATIO: Old Sap
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE OLD SAP Poet from Chicago, rambled out to Montana, cut a banjo from a tamarack, strings across the country, foot like a freight train, voice rushing down over lush Appalachia, sings a thrush tune through the rush hour and into your long-forgotten prairie dreams. Folk. Folk Rock. Americana.
Stephen Kellogg + Pat McGee
ALL AGES SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE On June 28th, the Grey Eagle will present Stephen Kellogg’s Old Friends Tour. This one-of-a-kind touring concept features SK and a different friend in each city. Drawing on relationships and history from his 25 year career, the pair will share the stage, swapping songs and stories, for a one night only, limited engagement event. We are thrilled to be welcoming Stephen Kellogg and Pat McGee! STEPHEN KELLOGG A Stephen Kellogg performance is like watching Ted Lasso live. Whether he’s playing music or doing stand-up, his shows leave people inspired and restored. For more than two decades, this wordsmith, Tedx speaker, stand-up comic, author and troubadour, has delighted audiences around the world. Planet Bluegrass calls him “a first class songwriter with a poet’s gift for fresh imagery,” and Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz says of Kellogg, “there are few people in rock n’ roll who are just so great.” He has received the Armed Forces Entertainer of the Year award and has had his work nominated for a Grammy. Rolling Stone magazine describes his sound as “John Prine fronting the Heartbreakers.” The recent “Sit Down & Stand Up” Tour was a one man show that opened to rave reviews from fans and critics alike, culminating in a two-night filming for a forthcoming one-hour comedy special. A mix of music, humor and storytelling, each performance paints a unique canvas that covers the full spectrum of human emotions. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll go home with a full heart. PAT McGEE The Pat McGee Band is what is commonly referred to as a band of journeyman musicians. In the 25 years since their initial formation, they’ve acquired a fanatical popular following, one that was so determined that it produced sales of over 100,000 copies of their first three albums and eventually caused Warner Bros. Records to take notice and sign the group to an exclusive contract at the end of the ‘90s. The band’s dedication to working the road was so steadfast that at one point in their ten year touring stint, they played a remarkable 98 concerts in a period of 103 days. They shared stages with the Who, the Allman Brothers, James Taylor, and many more, and also achieved the ultimate honors — performing for president Bill Clinton, touring with the USO and sharing their songs onboard the USS Eisenhower with 5,000 servicemen and servicewomen serving a tour of duty in the Arabian Sea. “There was no plan B,” McGee says in retrospect. “We sold 12,000 copies of our first album out of the trunk of our car. We had a rabid fanbase that supported us every step of the way. We never had that huge pop hit, but in a way that helped assure our success. We never had to count on replaying a single song in order to move forward. It was our diligence and devotion, our steadfast approach to making music that was honest and expressive that became the backbone of our sound.” Sadly, the band’s progress came to a tragic end in October 2006 when drummer Chris Williams succumbed to a heart condition. McGee struck out on his own, adding five solo albums to the half dozen efforts recorded under the band’s own banner.
[LATE SHOW] Dead Prez: 25th Anniversary Show
ALL AGES // STANDING ROOM ONLY DEAD PREZ is the pair of politically militant rappers, Stic.Man and M-1. They have become known for their hard-hitting style and socialist lyrics, focusing on anti-racism, anti-capitalism, critical pedagogy, as well as activism against social injustice and corporate control over the media (especially hip-hop record labels.)In 1990, M-1 headed to Tallahassee to attend FAMU (Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University) where he and Sticman met and connected due to their mutual love of music and knowledge. “I was soaking up the Black Panther Party as a whole,” M-1 remembers. “I learned about their lives and it helped mold me.””I realized there’s a struggle already going on and I have to try to help ride it out,” interjects Stic.man. M-1’s quest for insight led him to join the International Democratic People’s Uhuru Movement (InPDUM) in Chicago for three years while Stic.man remained behind in Florida and started getting into trouble. Burned out by the arduous labor of Uhuru, M-1 decided it was time to do that music thing and Stic.man agreed.Dead Prez transcribed the leftist political education they acquired into lyrical poetry. Brand Nubian’s Lord Jamar discovered them in New York and helped them sign a deal with Loud Records. But being the new kids on the block of a powerhouse label like Loud (home to the Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep) wasn’t easy. dead prez wasn’t always Loud’s priority but that didn’t stop them from building a fan base around their over-the-top performances. (They’ve been known to ignite dollar bills and toss apples into the audiences, declaring they eat healthy).With hard-hitting beats, politically aware rhymes, deft lyricism and strong song concepts, dead prez emerged in 2000 as one of rap’s most politically strident outfits. Stic.man and M-1’s music provided a voice for the voiceless, a sobering look at the global power structure that was crippling billions of people internationally and millions of Americans domestically. The duo’s first two studio albums, 2000’s Lets Get Free and 2004’s RBG: Revolutionary But Gangsta, were accompanied by four acclaimed Turn Off The Radio mixtapes and solo albums, and in 2012 they returned with Information Age. Dead prez’s consistent artistry, and activism, has earned them legendary status, and they remain one of the driving forces in Hip-Hop today. SKYZOO is the embodiment of a DIY attitude, he’s achieved his success in the form of truly being an independent artist, thus molding him into so much more. Skyzoo has become known as being the ultimate artist, one able to make classic music with a lasting impact. Listeners can identify with his story, they can see the many sides of themselves in him. No matter the mood, season, or circumstance, Skyzoo offers music to live to and live by. The best way to describe him? Let the people tell it and words such as “brilliant”, “classic”, and “masterpiece” are constantly used to describe his catalog, with each yearly entry raising the stakes. The beauty in it all is as his slogan goes: “Lyrics Will Never Be The Same”. LANDON WORDSWELL is a poet / emcee from the St Louis area. Wordswell meshes his unique multisyllabic style with strategically placed wordplay and a bold brand of honesty that allows the listener to feel as though they are personally getting to know the artist. Landon sends the listener on a journey through the ups, the downs, the ebbs & flows of his life experiences.
Gooseberry
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY GOOSEBERRY Brooklyn-based trio Gooseberry, formed in 2019, melds alternative rock, indie, and blues to craft their distinctive sound. Comprising Asa Daniels (guitar, vocals), Evin Rossington (drums), and Will Hammond (bass), the band has racked up millions of streams and has garnered praise from editorial stalwarts Galore, Under the Radar, and more. They’ve become integral to NYC’s music scene, headlining venues like Bowery Ballroom, as well as supporting notable touring acts such as Ringo Starr, BabyJake, and Tanner Usrey. In September 2024, Gooseberry released their debut full-length album, All My Friends Are Cattle. They delivered the first taste of the LP in the form of gritty alt-rock single “Kikiyon”. The album was tracked over the course of three months, predominantly at Precision Sound Studios in New York City. Drums were recorded by Grammy-winner James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin (Dream Theater, John Petrucci, Rush). Grammy-nominated engineer Colin Bryson (Zach Bryan, J Balvin, Willow Avalon) served as producer and recording engineer (reprising his role from the Validate Me EP). Grammy-winner Phil Joly (The Strokes, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk) mixed the record, and Jennica Best (Colatura) mastered it. Honorary fourth member Dan Janis (Baked Goods) provided saxophone and flute for a handful of tunes. The record has already been streamed 600K+ times and counting. This debut full-length record represents Gooseberry’s most ambitious project yet, showcasing the expansive distance they cover, from punch-you-in-the-mouth punk rock to lyrically-driven singer-songwriter to atmospheric prog rock. According to Glide, “Gooseberry is positioned to have a significant role in the modern rock scene.” Though powered by heavy 90s alternative influences, this LP showcases what Gooseberry can be: an exciting amalgamation of many genres and sounds, taking the listener on a journey that never once leaves the ear tired and consistently keeps the mind guessing where they will head next. FO DANIELS Fo Daniels combines the raw intensity of a rock and roll band with a singer-songwriter’s attention to lyrical and emotional detail. With a general disregard for trends and genre restriction, Daniels and his band blaze their own trail, quickly growing their diverse catalog of records- which contains a wide variety of influences but is united by the common themes of originality, heart, and rebel spirit. Their tenacious touring schedule has left audiences deeply inspired up and down the East Coast, spreading the word about a sound which can be best described as “pretty and gritty”.
Rock Academy Mixtape
-ALL AGES-LIMITED SEATING (FIRST COME FIRST SERVE) + STANDING ROOM ROCK ACADEMY Rock Academy is a Year-Round Rock Band Performance Program that take our bands out of the classrooms and into Asheville’s music scene. Students learn to perform a wide variety of musical styles and songs of various genres including blues, classic rock, hard rock, punk, surf, americana and more. Our music students grow into skilled musicians and take their band “on the road” to play in front of live audiences at some of the top venues in the area. The Asheville Rock Academy’s talented students have played some high-profile gigs, including the Main stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Academy bands have also played with Cliff Williams of AC/DC and American Idol’s Caleb Johnson. Join us for this year’s “Mix Tape 2025” show!
Bendigo Fletcher
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLYBENDIGO FLETCHER Shapeshifting on an axis between folk, alternative, country, and soul, Bendigo Fletcher’s lofty melodies soar above earthy instrumentation on their 2022 Wingding EP [Elektra Records]. Charmed with psychedelic flourishes, yet tightly rooted in tried-and-true songcraft, the Louisville quintet—Ryan Anderson [lead vocals, guitar, banjo], Andrew Shupert [backing vocals, lead guitar], Evan Wagner [backing vocals, keys, guitar, percussion], Conner Powell [bass], and Chris Weis [drums]—continues to instantly transfix across the EP’s four tracks. “More than a few times, I’ve explored the Wingding font universe as an entertaining break from more pressing tasks. I like the name ‘Wingding’ for a fictional creature, like the Mothman of West Virginia folklore. It’s also another word for party,” Anderson says. “This EP is a collection of distractions we built over the last few years when gatherings and adventures felt pretty unattainable.” After crisscrossing paths in the Louisville scene and life in general (“Chris is my brother-in-law’s childhood best friend,” notes Anderson), Bendigo Fletcher initially formed in 2016. The group organically built an audience across their native Kentucky one gig at a time. During 2018, they made waves with the independent Consensual Wisdom EP highlighted by fan favorites “Wonderfully Bizarre” and “Soul Factory.” Following a tireless grind, the band signed to Elektra Records and unveiled their debut album, Fits of Laughter in 2021. Beyond amassing millions of streams, the album earned widespread critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, FLOOD Magazine, and more. Music Connection dubbed it, “Alt-rock, country-flecked folk-rock soaked in LSD,” while Atwood Magazine praised the collection as “a record of reverie, celebration, and true to its name, laughter: music made for good times and bad, that promises to leave us all a little more elated.” Along the way, Bendigo Fletcher captivated crowds on tour with the likes of Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Hiss Golden Messenger, Mt. Joy, Nathaniel Rateliff, Anderson East, Rayland Baxter, and Shakey Graves. In 2022, Bendigo Fletcher returned to Nashville, TN’s Cartoon Moon Recording Studio to track their Wingding EP. Once again, the band teamed with Fits of Laughter producer and original Wilco/Uncle Tupelo drummer Ken Coomer in the studio. For the first time, the band enlisted Grizzly Bear bassist and producer, Chris Taylor, as a mixer. “In addition to the brilliance of Ken’s ear as a song maker, I appreciate the environment he maintains,” notes Ryan. “All ideas are considered, and we try to just have fun trying new sounds. I think that mentality lends to a unique blend, keeping the band outside of any one box. And I’ve found constant inspiration in Chris’ work as a soundscaper since a friend introduced me to Veckatimest in high school. Having him on the project was really exciting, and I think his mixes present the band’s ethos in a beautifully natural way.” PRODUCING A KIND GENERATION
[EARLY SHOW]: David Lowery
ALL AGES FULLY SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE DAVID LOWERY David Lowery is a highly accomplished songwriter, performer, producer, and advocate for artists’ rights based in Athens, GA. He began his career in the early 1980s while studying mathematics at the University of California Santa Cruz, where he founded the critically acclaimed ensemble Camper Van Beethoven and the associated record label, Pitch-a-Tent Records. With these two entities, he played a pivotal role in jump-starting the indie rock movement. Camper Van Beethoven released six albums before going on an extended hiatus in 1990. Afterward, Lowery formed the ensemble Cracker in 1991, which produced five top-ten alternative/rock radio tracks and three platinum albums. During this time, he also produced and recorded albums for other artists such as The Counting Crows, Magnolia Electric Company, and Sparklehorse. In 2004, Camper Van Beethoven reformed, and since then, Lowery has been recording and touring with both bands, often playing together on a double bill. In 2005, Lowery and his wife (a concert promoter of some note) started the Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven Campout festival at the iconic Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace. The festival ran through 2019 when the venue changed ownership. In 2019, Lowery began releasing a series of loosely autobiographical albums, including In The Shadow of the Bull (2019), Leaving Key Member Clause (2021), and Vending Machine (2023). These albums are currently only available in physical formats or via Bandcamp and are not available on streaming services. Originally intended as an experiment, the limited release strategy generated revenues that far exceeded what would be expected from a streaming release. Thus, Lowery has continued in this manner, as apparently in the streaming age, less is more. Lowery is currently touring in support of these three albums.
PATIO: Riyen Roots & Kenny Dore
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE RIYEN ROOTS & KENNY DORE Roots and Dore are an acoustic blues, roots and soul duo from the music rich mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. With their unique style and captivating original songs and covers from some of the best in blues and soul history, they are one of the busiest acts in the US. Having toured Europe and their shows in New Orleans the first week of JazzFest annually and playing 150-200 shows a year at clubs and festivals for over fifteen years. They have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the blues business including Bobby Rush, Eric Gales, Cedric Burnside, John Dee Holeman, Bob Margolin, Maria Muldaur, Mac Arnold, Guitar Shorty and many more. They’ve even opened for Billy Bob Thornton’s band The Boxmasters twice. Always a great time!
Golden Folk Sessions
ALL AGES 6PM DOORS / 7PM SHOW FULLY SEATED SHOW LIMITED NUMBER OF PREMIUM SEATING TICKETS AVAILABLE GOLDEN FOLK SESSIONS Golden Folk Sessions (formerly Open Folk AVL) offers an intimate, carefully curated listening experience that celebrates the art of original music. Each event showcases six handpicked artists, performing three-song sets in a quiet, seated environment where the music takes center stage. To add a sense of surprise and discovery, the lineup is revealed only when the show begins. Running from 7–9 PM, these early shows create the perfect evening for music lovers who value live performances and a good night’s rest. With over 100 shows hosted and extraordinary artists from around the globe gracing our stage, Golden Folk Sessions is entering an exciting new chapter. Under a new name and with a new home at The Grey Eagle—one of the Southeast’s most iconic venues—we’re thrilled to continue fostering community through music. Staying true to our values of accessibility, we aim to make music available to everyone. Presale tickets guarantee your seat and support both Golden Folk Sessions and The Grey Eagle. For those attending on the day of the show, our “pay what you can, if you can” option ensures that all are welcome to be part of this unique and meaningful experience. • $25 for Priority Seating (first three rows) • $10 General Admission (presale) • $0-$25 Day-of-Show (no minimum) We can’t wait to see y’all there
