30 Days Out, April 2026 #1: Marisa Blake, Polyrhythmics, GWAR, Boogarins
A local luminary, an eclectic touring outfit, a terrifying spectacle and some great world-psych: those are the highlights of Asheville music in the coming 30 days.
Artist: Marisa Blake
Venue: Third Room
Date: Friday, April 3, 7 p.m.
Door: $25.44
Marisa Blake is as treasured member of the local music community. A versatile artist with an emotionally resonant approach to her work, Blake is celebrating the release of Observations form the Inside Out. If labels must be applied to her work, try Latin, soul and/or singer-songwriter. The evening will feature special guests Melissa McKinney, Elizabeth McCorvey and (the inexplicably mononymous) McKinney, plus a set from DJ MTN VIBEZ.
Artist: Polyrhythmics
Venue: Asheville Music Hall
Date: Friday, April 24, 9 p.m.
Door: $24.15
The band’s name suggests a sound that draws from the complex and intricate rhythms of the African musical tradition. But the group has a sound all its own, one that will confound those intent on pigeonholing the group into one or another genre. I interviewed band member Art Brown in 2024.
Artist: GWAR
Venue: Orange Peel
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 7:30 p.m.
Door: $51.55
If you don’t know what you’re in for with a GWAR show, you’d best remedy that before purchasing a ticket. Details of my own once-in-a-lifetime experience – which is pretty representative of what you can expect – are here. Soulfly and King Parrot are also on the bill.
Artist: Boogarins
Venue: Grey Eagle
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 8 p.m.
Door: $24.60
Alt-rock from Brazil: what’s not to love? This outfit plays a modern take on psychedelia with (perhaps inevitably) as tropicalia flavor. They’re released five albums to date; 2024’s Bacuri is their latest. On a personal note, about a decade ago I played in a band that opened for them. Up close or at a distance, Boogarins are quite impressive.
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.