30 Days Out, March 2026 #1: Glen Phillips, Tito Puente Jr., Mammoth, Asian Soundscapes
Two sons of legends proudly carry on the family business. Front man of an excellent band tours solo. And a world-class composer who happens to call Asheville home stages a local show. Here we go!
Artist: Glen Phillips
Venue: Grey Eagle
Date: Thursday, March 12, 8 p.m.
Door: $32.81
Goofy band name notwithstanding, Toad the Wet Sprocket turned out some wonderfully melodic pop-rock. Singles like “All I Want,” “Fall Down,” “Good Intentions,” “Something’s Always Wrong” and especially “Walk on the Ocean” are exemplars of the tuneful, ear-candy end of ‘80s and ‘90s alternarock. While the band’s songs are credited to the whole group, lead singer Glen Phillips is the primary songwriter. He’s also the lead singer. So a solo show is likely to have a good bit of what one would want, with the added bonus of an up-close-and-personal vibe.
Artist: Tito Puente Jr
Venue: Third Room
Date: Saturday, March 14, 7 p.m.
Door: $30.63
Tito Puente (Sr.) was a giant of Latin Jazz. A New Yorker of Puerto Rican ethnicity, Puente was at the forefront of the mambo scene, scoring hits and establishing the style. He died in 2000, but his youngest child and namesake carries on the tradition.
Artist: Mammoth
Venue: Orange Peel
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 7 p.m.
Door: $48.44
Formerly Mammoth WVH, this band is led by guitarist Wolfgang Van Halen. Watch Mountain Xpress for my feature/interview with Wolf. Yeah, you may recognize the surname.And for some, that’s all you’ll need to know. But he’s his own man, with quite a lot to offer. Also on the bill: 10 Years, James and the Cold Gun.
Artist: Asian Soundscapes
Venue: White Horse*
Date: Friday, March 27, 7:30 p.m.
Door: $20 (pay what you can)
World-renowned pipa player and composer Min Xiao-Fen brings an evening of music, joined by koto player Mari Ohta and percussionist Amy Xin Yin. MXF’s concerts are always fascinating, and like little else you’ll see or hear. Read much more about her here, and go-go-go to this show. *NOTE: The venue sustained some damage during remodeling, and some shows are being rescheduled or moved to other venues. Check before going.
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.