A noted songwriter, he’s able to tell personal and raw tales crafted with his acoustic guitar and harmonica.
Album review: ‘Beautiful Noise’ by Stereospread
Jumping ahead of critics who might apply their own subjective labels to the band’s music, Asheville-based Sterospread has taken on the task itself, calling the sounds it makes “indietronica.”
Smart Bets: Kaleta & the Super Yamba Band
The Brooklyn-based afro-funk group stops by The Mothlight on July 31.
Arrested Development headlines LEAF Downtown AVL
The band’s live shows remain full of engaging energy and excitement. Speech and his group have a long relationship with Asheville audiences: Arrested Development played the LEAF Festival in 2009 and has appeared multiple time at The Orange Peel.
Smart Bets: Stevie Tombstone
The singer-songwriter and guitarist plays White Horse Black Mountain on July 31.
Smart Bets: Thunder Road: The Musical
The Gathering Dark’s creative blend of Mitchum and Springsteen will be performed July 28 at Sanctuary Brewing Co.
Smart Bets: The B-52s
The beloved band plays Biltmore’s summer concert series on July 26.
Acoustic Asheville: George Trouble
You can catch McDonald at the Haywood Country Club in West Asheville on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m., as part of the Sunday Night Roundup series.
Smart Bets: Anything That Floats Parade and RiverFest
RiverLink’s annual festivities take place July 20 on the French Broad River and at New Belgium Brewing Co.
Fashion Bath plays an album release show at Fleetwood’s
The creative team of Kevin Boggs and Max Murray reflect on their rock band’s terrifically cohesive “Domestic Bliss.”
Smart Bets: Folkmoot International Festival
The 36th annual celebration of dance, music and culture from around the world runs July 18-28 across Western North Carolina.
Michael Franti & Spearhead stage a benefit for MountainTrue and French Broad Riverkeeper
Ultimately, Franti chooses to lend his name and support to efforts backed by passion: “At the end of the day, it’s just [about] finding people who are passionate about the same things that I am, and who are doing things that have local and immediate impact.”
Album review: ‘Vessels of Sound, Vol. 2: Morse’ by VIA
The Asheville-based shoegaze/electronic band’s fourth collection displays ample charms.
SistaStrings and Nickel&Rose bring the sound of Milwaukee to Isis Music Hall
Teaser videos show this collaboration as a lush, experimental string band that sits somewhere in a Venn diagram between artists like Birds of Chicago, Kaia Kater, and Punch Brothers.
Brevard Music Center gets political during ‘A Copland Celebration’
According to cultural historian Joe Horowitz, “You’re not going to be able to attend the event without asking yourself what it has to do with the present moment.”
Smart Bets: Che Apalache
The “Latingrass” four-piece plays UNCA’s Concerts on the Quad series on July 15.
Smart Bets: DJ Audio
The Asheville producer/musician has a music video release party for his new single on July 12 at Room Nine.
Acoustic Asheville: The Jackson Grimm Band
The nine songs on ‘The Bull Moose Party’ showcase a full band that can deftly switch gears between folk, bluegrass and Americana.
Smart Bets: Lady Moon & The Eclipse
The Brooklyn-based multicultural ensemble plays The One Stop on July 6.
Smart Bets: Ahleuchatistas and Sea Moss
The Asheville and Portland-based duos reunite July 5 at The Mothlight.
Independence Day celebrations across WNC
Outdoor concerts, street dances, picnics with family (chosen or blood) and friends — all culminating in a fireworks spectacle — underscore the sweetness of a summer holiday.