30 Days Out, August 2025 #2: Five Eight, Sixpence None the Richer, Return of the King, Pinkish Floyd
The next 30 days in Asheville live music are filled with gems. Athens alt-rock, ‘90s pop, and tributes to the king of rock ‘n’ roll and one of rock’s best and most enduring artists: Asheville has it all. Off we go!
Artist: Five Eight
Venue: Grey Eagle
Date: Friday, Aug. 22, 8 p.m.
Door: $14.76
Five Eight were among the remarkably creative clutch of bands that cameo ut of Athens. The group came along well after that early wave that brought us B-52’s, R.E.M, Mercyland and a bunch of others, but they found a good bit of well-deserved success. Thirty-plus after their debut, Five-Eight is now the subject of a new documentary, Weirdo. That film will be screened at this date, an evening that also includes as set by Asheville’s own Pinkeye, who are performing in support of their new album Better Stay Clear!
Artist: Sixpence None the Richer
Venue: Orange Peel
Date: Monday, Aug. 25, 8 p.m.
Door: $38.77
Remember “Kiss Me” from 1997? Sure you do. Sweet song. Great arrangement, nice production. That was Sixpence None the Richer, and they had other good original songs, too (though the Crowded House and La’s covers were arguably unnecessary). Strangely enough, the self-titled album that yielded “Kiss Me” earned a Grammy nomination for, um, Best Gospel Album. The current quartet features two original members (including singer Leigh Nash), and two members who were on board for that hit ‘87 album. In other words, the real deal.
Artist: Return of the King
Venue: Wortham Center
Date: Saturday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m.
Door: $40-70
You need not travel to Las Vegas (or, um, Branson) to witness a quality musical tribute to Elvis Presley. From the images I’ve seen, this production leans a bit toward the later years, but I expect they’ll work in a good overview of the King’s musical arc. Be sure to shout out a request for “(There’s) No Room to Rhumba in a Sports Car.”
Artist: Pinkish Floyd
Venue: Highland Brewing
Date: Sunday, Sep. 7, 7 p.m.
Door: $10 adv / $15/door
This roundup’s local pick is an Asheville-based group paying tribute to Pink Floyd. If you know anything at all about me, you know I’d dig this. You will too.
See you at the show!
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.