30 Days Out, February 2026 #1: Dar Williams, Mdou Moctar, Pleasantly Wild, Stephane Wrembel
February in Asheville used to be a kind of secret season: the tourists stayed home (or wen elsewhere), and locals had a brief respite during which we could get a table at our finer dining establishment. That also meant that dates by touring artists were a bit thinner on the ground. Today the paradigms have shifted for both better and worse. February’s not much quieter than other months, and name acts visit, but with recent years’ double-whammy of Covid and Helene, we need the tourists. Lucky for all concerned, there’s a tasty lineup of artists coming in the next 30 days. Here’s a quick look at four of special note.
Artist: Dar Williams
Venue: Wortham Center
Date: Friday, Feb. 13, 8 p.m.
Door: $39
Recognized as one of America’s most gifted singer-songwriters, New York-born Dar Williams debuted on record with 1990’s I Have No History. Quickly gaining a dedicated following, Williams dove with earnest into a career of recording and performing. Today she counts some sixteen albums to her credit; 2025’s Hummingbird Highway is her latest. Seth Glier opens.
Artist: Mdou Moctar
Venue: Ayurprana Listening Room
Date: Sunday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m.
Door: $29.21
Westerners might perceive a psychedelic flavor to his instrumental approach, but that quality might have more to do with its hypnotic, freewheeling nature than anything else. Women’s rights, religion, and Western exploitation of Africa all figure into the lyrics of Moctar’s original songs, but English-speaking listeners are likely to miss all that, as he sings in his native Tamasheq language. But the emotions at the core of his music get through. I interviewed Moctar in 2021. Tashi Dorji opens.
Artist: Pleasantly Wild
Venue: Orange Peel
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 8 p.m.
Door: $15.38
Asheville guitarist Derrick Pace assembled Pleasantly Wild in 2020. Hooky music with a danceable character and deep grooves is the trio’s stock in trade. Joining Pace are band mates Jim Arroway on bass and drummer Michael Fasano. Shankai & the Goonie Tunez open the show.
Artist: Stephane Wrembel
Venue: Grey Eagle
Date: Saturday, Feb. 21, 8 p.m.
Door: $30.75
Inspired by the gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt, Parisian guitarist Stephanie Wrembel adds textures of blues and swing to his interpretation of the style. His work has graced film soundtracks (like Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris), and his latest and 14th album is Django New Orleans.
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.