30 Days Out, May 2026 #1: Blue Ridge Orchestra, Wallflowers, Furious Bongos, George Terry
For this roundup for live music in Asheville, I take a quick look at two local acts and two touring groups. Support live music!
Artist: Blue Ridge Orchestra
Venue: Wortham Center
Date: Sunday, May 3, 3 p.m.
Door: $21
The Blue Ridge Orchestra’s current offering is ttiled “Boom-De-Ay,” and that shold be your first clue that the music will be uptempo and bombastic in the best possible way. Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Chaminade’s Callirhoë and Stravinsky’s Beceuse and Finale from his Firebird Suite are on the program, along with a modern work, Natalie Williams’ 2001 Sonic Boom. Should be explosive!
Artist: The Wallflowers
Venue: Orange Peel
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 8 p.m.
Door: $56.70
Bob Dylan was just in town in late April. Now his son’s here. Collect ‘em all, kids! No, seriously: while Jakob Dylan’s Wallflowers aren’t the most prolific band around – seven studio albums in 34 years – they’re a durable act. And while the lineup has been an ever-shifting one – the band is on its fourth or fifth member for most every instrument – the focus here is and always has been the scion of music’s bard.
Artist: Furious Bongos
Venue: Third Room
Date: Sunday, May 17, 8 p.m.
Door: $27.52
This group’s press materials make clear that while you might not recognize the names of its individual players, they’re well known to (and respected by) high-profile artists. And that’s important, because taking on the music of Frank Zappa requires serious, serious chops. This outfit has ‘em, and they apply their talents to some of the most fascinating music of the 20th century.
Artist: George Terry & the Zealots
Venue: Grey Eagle
Date: Sunday, May 24, 8 p.m.
Door: $18.45
Local sensation George Terry (aka George Trouble presents the premier/release of his latest album, Entanglement. This show will also celebrate the birthday of (here’s that name again) Bob Dylan. In all my years, I’ve somehow never managed to interview George, but I did review his 2018 album Jawbone.
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.