It’s 9 a.m. and I’m sitting in a crowded Starbucks about a mile from the festival grounds. As has been the case in years past, the internet at Bonnaroo, even in the press tent, is patchy at best. Luckily, I brought a bicycle to slip in and out of the festival quickly. It’s not the most convenient approach, but the air conditioning is a welcome change from the humidity and the cold iced coffee is just what I needed.
The 11th annual Bonnaroo music festival is off and running, and Xpress is here to bake in the sun and navigate the endless crowds so you don’t have to. But it’s not all misery and exhaustion. Aside from the dozens of stellar shows, standup comedians, cinema tent, dance parties and general reckless abandon that are inherent to the festival, this year stands to be one of the coolest (temperature wise) Bonnaroos on record.
This weekend offers the chance to take your dog out for ice cream, browse local art or enjoy a family-friendly outdoor festival. As always, Xpress brings you the best in low-budget local happenings.
I met Tristen at The Grey Eagle on a Wednesday afternoon. As Justin Townes Earl and his band soundchecked in the next room, we chatted about common friends in Nashville, the pitfalls of long tours (Tristen has been on and off the road for almost two years) and the increasingly unpredictable weather. After nearly an hour of waiting, we capitalized on a short window of quiet and set up in the foyer.
This weekend brings mermaid parades, live music, bike tours and pets. As always, Xpress brings you the best in low-cost local entertainment.
Memorial Day weekend brings a variety of outdoor festivals featuring garden supplies, live music, sports activities and more. As always, we bring you the best in low-cost events to keep you entertained and your wallet full.
Ben Lovett has a habit of going big. From his free record release at The Grey Eagle last year to the epic Ghost of Old Highways project, the rocker/composer/producer/multi-iinstrumentalist has a penchant for flare. Last week, Xpress dropped by the Masonic Temple to check out the set of his latest video, “Black Curtain.” (Photo by Bill Rhodes)
Jack of the Wood is no longer just for bluegrass. The days of old-time and roots aren’t over, but the more traditional genres have some serious competition. Tonight, the downtown ale house presents its most rocking, psychedelic affair to date.
The best things in life are free (or cheap), and we’ve got local theater, a letterpress print collective, nature walks and yoga to prove it. As always, Xpress highlights the best in low-cost happenings to keep you entertained on a budget.
Ben Sollee is not your typical pop singer. Aside from his genre-blurring songwriting — a folk-centric blend of Appalachian roots, soulful vocals and pop-friendly melodies — it’s not often you see a classically-trained cellist tapping and scraping his instrument to mimic hip-hop beats, plucking its strings like a guitar or covering Tom Waits tunes. Not to mention hauling the enormous instrument from show to show on a bicycle.
This weekend, relax in local gardens, visit River Arts District studios or ponder the intentions of an artisanal pencil sharpener. As always, we bring you the best in low-budget events.
There's no mistaking Beach House. The Baltimore duo's shimmering keys, echoing guitar and wistful melodies are so well refined, they've become the standard of atmospheric dream pop. Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally began cultivating their approach in 2004, releasing two hazy, lo-fi collections that became instant underground favorites. But 2010's Teen Dream marked a sharp […]
With an oversaturated club scene and new bands forming every week, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to break into the local music scene. Now, thanks to management at One Stop Deli and Bar, up-and-coming bands have a casual and encouraging place to start. Last month, the venue began hosting an all-ages weekly residency that offers two local performances for a mere $2.
This weekend you can dress up like Han Solo, pedal beneath the full moon, share a favorite story or put your beard to the test, all for a nominal fee. As always, Xpress highlights the best in low-cost local happenings to keep you entertained without breaking the bank.
Ween fans rejoice: local musicians have spent the last five months rehearsing just for you. Tonight at The Bywater, Pepper Pulp will finally share the fruits of its months-long rehearsals, paying homage to the experimental rock quintet with an epic, 30-song tribute.
My first introduction to Cheyenne Marie Mize came several years ago when the Louisville-based songwriter appeared on Among the Gold, a six-song EP of 19th century American parlor music with Bonnie “Prince” Billy. I knew little of her solo work until last fall, when I caught Mize’s set at Hopscotch music festival in Raleigh. Her sprawling performance at the crowded bar was all I needed to see: Cheyenne Marie Mize is far better suited to be a bandleader than a bandmember.
Catch the 15-piece orchestra’s Afrobeat grooves, funk-inspired horns, jazzy meanderings and infectious percussive lines at The Grey Eagle tonight.
This weekend features an eclectic offering of low-budget events, including a map reading class, multiple garden sales, star gazing in the Smokeys and more.
Music lovers began waiting outside Harvest Records at 3 a.m. By the time the doors opened seven hours later, anxious customers wound around the building, forming a line that spanned nearly two blocks. Inside, fans scrambled to the special release tables where a plethora of limited edition vinyl waited.
The last time Sharon Van Etten was in Asheville, the Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter was on the cusp of indie stardom. For those already in the know, her intimate set at Broadway’s was a rare treat; but even those who stumbled in by accident could sense that something was special about the show. Tonight, Van Etten returns to the mountains, but now the cat’s out of the bag. The smoky-voiced singer will headline The Grey Eagle this time around.
Mize first gained national attention for collaborating with fellow Kentuckians Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Ben Sollee. However, the multi-instrumentalist’s genre-hopping solo work soon caught the attention of outlets ranging from The New York Times to NPR, overshadowing her backing work and earning the songwriter a deal with Yep Roc Records. Tonight, Mize stops in Asheville for a performance downtown.
