West Asheville’s newest concert venue The Mothlight held its grand opening this weekend, selling out its first Saturday-night show and giving music lovers a fresh hangout on Haywood Road.
About 250 people came to check out the airy, newly renovated space Saturday, Oct. 12. Exposed rafters, brick walls and lighting dim enough for an Outback Steakhouse set the mood for an upbeat crowd of Ashevilleans. As a private club, first-time visitors had to sign up and sign in at the door before getting their wrist stamped.
Local musician Jaye Bartell warmed up the crowd before Chicago-turned-Asheville indie-folk singer Angel Olsen took the stage. Her rich vocals with sparse backing had listeners rapt. Singer-songwriter Richard Buckner also performed in the space Friday, Oct. 11.
Owners Jon and Amanda Hency stayed busy behind the bar Saturday, serving up $5 well drinks and pint cans of PBR, among other brews.
In the back of the space, an art show by artist Nathaneal Roney included large sequential prints incorporating words and images on human utility.
In an interview before its opening, owner Jon Hensy told Xpress: ““We want to provide a home for a more experimental, progressive realm of bands that are touring that I don’t think really have a home here in Asheville.”
Mothlight’s next show will be The Crocodiles with Royal Bangs and The Shine Brothers on Tuesday, Oct. 22. More info at mothlight.com.
The following correction has been made: Names of the owners are Jon and Amanda Hency, not “Hensy.”
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