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<\/center>One of the many pleasures associated with living in the small mountain city of Asheville NC is access to great live music. I grew up in the 70s and 80s in Atlanta, where going to a concert often meant traveling to a sports arena, and watching the tiny performers from the nosebleed seats (where you’d get a \u201ccontact high\u201d from the pot smoke).<\/p>\nHere in Asheville, I go to shows that have anywhere from a few dozen to just over a thousand people in the audience, and the bands are up close and personal (especially when I have a photo pass). Because my town is such a go-to destination for touring acts, I get the pleasure of seeing high profile performances in small venues. That just wouldn’t happen in other cities.<\/p>\n
I go to a lot of shows here in town. That said, I travel to regional festivals fairly often as well. Looking back on 2014 \u2013 an especially eventful year for me all ’round \u2013 three of my four favorite concert events were festivals.<\/p>\n
Big Ears<\/strong><\/a> Moogfest<\/strong><\/a> Musical Box<\/strong><\/a>
\nDesigned as a relatively small-scale festival with a decided emphasis on the edgy, this Knoxville TN festival presented a long list of fascinating acts, few of whom do the festival circuit as a rule. The scale of the event meant that it felt almost like a series of house concerts. Highlights included Marc Ribot<\/strong>, David Greenberger<\/strong>, Steve Reich<\/strong>, Television<\/strong>, Dean Wareham<\/strong>, Rachel Grimes<\/strong>, and Radiohead<\/strong>‘s Jonny Greenwood<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nThis one’s a sentimental favorite: it takes place in my hometown; it honors the late, great Robert A. Moog<\/strong> (a man whom I was lucky enough to meet a number of times), and it features some great music. Without a doubt the highlight of 2014’s Moogfest for me was meeting and interviewing Keith Emerson<\/strong>, but the three-day event (all within walking distance of my home) was packed with memorable experiences.<\/p>\n
\nFor me, Genesis<\/strong> lost their magic not long after the departures of Peter Gabriel<\/strong> and Steve Hackett<\/strong>. This Canadian tribute group recreates said magic in a most authentic fashion, both visually and aurally. It’s a total experience, and from the packed house at The Orange Peel that night, I’d say that classic 70s progressive rock still has a significant following.<\/p>\n
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