live shows Archive
01 Jan 2026
30 Days Out, Jan. 2026 #1: Caverns of Gold, Jazz is for Everyone, Coverfest V, Beach Floyd
Happy New Year! Today 30 Days Out begins its 13th year of previewing upcoming live music in and around Asheville. This time I’m spotlighting two benefit events, both of which […]
15 Dec 2025
30 Days Out, December 2025 #2: Jon Stickley Trio, Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters, A Swannanoa Solstice, The Cheeksters
It’s time for an all-local edition of 30 Days Out. I’ve been running this twice-monthly roundup of live music in Asheville for twelve years now: six for Mountain Xpress, six […]
01 Dec 2025
30 Days Out, December 2025 #1: Min Xiao-Fen and River Guerguerian, Dillon Fence, Thievery Corporation, Squawk
Two superb locally-based acts, and two touring groups who don’t often make it the mountains of WNC. Those are the highlights of live music in Asheville for the next 30 […]
14 Nov 2025
30 Days Out, Nov. 2025 #2: Asheville Jazz Orchestra, JackTown Ramblers, Artimus Pyle Band, Eilen Jewell
Three of the four acts spotlighted in this roundup of live music in the coming 30 days are local acts. Top-quality local acts, mind you. There’s big band jazz, bluegrass […]
10 Nov 2025
BOOK EVENT: What’s the Big Idea
I’m pleased to announce the imminent release of my third book, What’s the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums. To celebrate its release, I’ll be appearing at Malaprop’s Bookstore in […]
04 Nov 2025
Reno’s OffBeat Music Festival: Small-scale and Curated by Design
Reno’s OffBeat Music Festival celebrated its 10th year this October. With a wide array of artists gracing multiple stages in a concentrated, walkable area, the festival presents local, regional and […]
03 Nov 2025
30 Days Out, November 2025 #1: Beach Fossils, Furious Bongos, They Might Be Giants, David Wilcox
If there’s a thread connecting the disparate array of artists spotlighted in this rundown of music coming to Asheville in the next 30 days, it’s critical praise. All are admired […]
20 Oct 2025
BONUS POST: Preview – Mitch Easter and Gang
One of the best (and most underrated) bands of the so-called new wave era was Let’s Active. Founded by Winston-Salem musical wunderkind Mitch Easter, Let’s Active combined sophisticated pop with […]
13 Oct 2025
30 Days Out, Oct. 2025 #2: Lemonheads, Mr. Jimmy, Indigo De Souza, New Mastersounds
A Chicago bluesman who relocated to Asheville. An Asheville singer-songwriter who has gone big. An Asheville favorite closing a chapter. And a hero of ‘90s alternarock. Those are among the […]
06 Oct 2025
Ben Folds is ‘Capable of Anything’
Ben Folds has always enjoyed defying expectations. The band he led for many years, Ben Folds Five, was a trio, not a quintet. And while the Winston-Salem native is no […]