30 Days Out, September 2025 #1: Brian Jonestown Massacre, Mt. Joy, Kendra Morris, James McMurtry
Indie rockers, indie singer-songwriters, and potential train wreck that could also be great: those are among the musical highlights in Asheville over the next 30 days. Fasten your seat belts; here we go!
Artist: Brian Jonestown Massacre
Venue: The Orange Peel
Date: Saturday, Sep. 6, 8 p.m.
Door: $44.20
Here’s the thing: Anton Newcombe’s BJM makes some of the most compelling modern psychedleic music; their albums are nearly always fascinating journeys through the form. But live onstage, calling Brian Jonestown Massacre a mixed bag is the height of kindness. They might storm off mid-set. They might engage in an onstage fistfight (no, really). They might play listlessly and without verve. Or they might be absolutely great. As the philosopher Charles Berry once said, “You never can tell.” You have been warned. Flavor Crystals open.
Artist: Mt. Joy
Venue: Asheville Civic Center
Date: Wednesday, Sep. 24, 8 p.m.
Door: $63.20
Los Angeles-based indie rock band Mt. Joy began in 2016, and received good notices for their debut single “Astrovan” and a self-titled debut album in 2018. Favorite lyrical themes include struggle, self-discovery and hope. The band’s fourth and most recent album, Hope We Have Fun was released in May; it charted on both the U.S. Billboard 200 and the UK albums chart.
Artist: Kendra Morris
Venue: Asheville Music Hall
Date: Sunday, Sep. 7, 8 p.m.
Door: $18,65
Coming out of NYC’s underground music scene, singer-songwriter Kendra Morris makes music that blends popular genres with a knowing nod to what has come before. Morris’ vocals have earned her comparisons to Amy Winehouse and Sharon Jones. An up-and-comer, she has yet to land any of her six albums on the charts here in the U.S., so her local date represents an opportunity to see her before she inevitably and deservedly breaks out.
Artist: James McMurtry
Venue: The Grey Eagle
Date: Wednesday, Sep. 10, 8 p.m.
Door: $30.75
Because every word of my 2022 summary is true – even the part about his opening act – I’m repeating it verbatim: McMurtry is an institution. Sophisticated, wryly observant songwriting and straightforward delivery. If you haven’t seen him, you simply must. Betty Soo (formerly of Charlie Faye & the Fayettes) opens. I’ve written about and/or interviewed McMutry several times.
See you at the shows!
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.