It's on:
https://bigearsfestival.org/
Big Ears, celebrating 10 years as “one of the world’s greatest music bashes” (The New York Times) when it returns March 30 - April 2, 2023, has announced the first wave of programs scheduled for that special weekend, with full festival weekend passes going on sale Wednesday, September 14, at 9am EST. Once again, Big Ears offers a bold, head-spinning kaleidoscope of multi-genre, multi-generational musical adventure. Jazz legends like saxophonist Charles Lloyd, Christian McBride, and William Parker share the line up with banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck, beloved chanteuse Rickie Lee Jones, and Latin rock legends Los Lobos, along with a gathering of beloved alt-folk rockers like Iron & Wine, Andrew Bird, The Mountain Goats, Devendra Banhart, Bonny Light Horseman, Kevin Morby, Son Lux, The Weather Station, and more. Other highlights on tap for 2023 include bassist Pino Palladino’s collaboration with songwriter/producer Blake Mills, along with Sam Gendel; composer/bass virtuoso Edgar Meyer’s dazzling “Trios” with violinist Tessa Lark and cellist Joshua Roman; composer/bandleader/drummer extraordinaire Makaya McCraven’s opus In These Times; Scottish harp virtuoso Maeve Gilchrest’s The Harpweaver, with the Aizuri string quartet; and Love in Exile, a collaboration between Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab, pianist Vijay Iyer, and multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily. Big Ears will present the North American premiere of guitarist Bill Frisell and his trio with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, with arrangements by Michael Gibbs. A series of special concerts will highlight the iconoclastic, groundbreaking work of composers Éliane Radigue and Annea Lockwood, along with relative newcomer Catherine Lamb, in a series of concerts performed by Nate Wooley, Yarn/Wire, and the JACK Quartet. In addition, the Mivos Quartet will perform a concert of Steve Reich’s complete string quartets, including Different Trains. After a thrilling and exuberant nine-show marathon in 2022, iconoclastic composer John Zorn will celebrate his 70th birthday with eight new programs, including a rare appearance by the explosive Painkiller, his trio with bassist/producer Bill Laswell and ex-Slayer drum maestro Dave Lombardo, and culminating with an all-star realization of Zorn’s classic game piece, Cobra.
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 12 September 2022 13:52 (two years ago) link
Painkiller!
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 12 September 2022 13:56 (two years ago) link
I may miss this one, the big performer lineup looks Mojo-ey, and there's just not enough I'm willing to travel to see. Not ever been a Zorn fan, really. What's the deal with having a Zorn minifestival two years in a row?
― sweating like Cathy *aaaack* (Boring, Maryland), Monday, 12 September 2022 14:03 (two years ago) link
Zorn did a stint out here at the Chapel and I caught the Terry Riley/Zorn/Laurie Anderson combination -- and I mean, with that in my brain, any other performance might just seem secondary. (As it is the timing is always wrong for this for me so I'll have to ponder from afar.)
― Ned Raggett, Monday, 12 September 2022 14:12 (two years ago) link
I think the back-to-back Zorn feature is just that he had a great time last year and really wanted to come back and do something as part of his 70th birthday plans.
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Monday, 12 September 2022 14:26 (two years ago) link
Besides Zorn stuff I’m super psyched for the Vijay Iyer combos, William Parker, James Blood Ulmer, Kali Malone. And then some people like Los Lobos and Rickie Lee Jones, who are obviously on the Mojo end of things, sure, but I’ve never seen so I’ll be happy to.
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Monday, 12 September 2022 14:30 (two years ago) link
If I lived closer to Knoxville I’d do it no doubt, I’d be interested in the Elaine Radigue and Annea Lockwood stuff for sure.
― sweating like Cathy *aaaack* (Boring, Maryland), Monday, 12 September 2022 14:57 (two years ago) link
I’m so incredibly psyched already
― Histoire de BradNelson (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 13 September 2022 05:08 (two years ago) link
This awesome looking fest always takes place during our spring break, so I can never make it. Sigh.
― Josh in Chicago, Tuesday, 13 September 2022 12:02 (two years ago) link
I still think that this years + last years lineups is missing something more harsh.
― Histoire de BradNelson (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 13 September 2022 15:32 (two years ago) link
Altered Beast, produced by Richard Dashut, is kind of his grunge Rumours – check out the bgd vic on “Time Capsule.” “Someone to Pull the Trigger” may be his most moving song.
― Naive Teen Idol, Friday, 16 September 2022 03:04 (two years ago) link
ok I see it now
― Naive Teen Idol, Friday, 16 September 2022 03:18 (two years ago) link
Also, hooray for zombie Zing posts.
― Naive Teen Idol, Friday, 16 September 2022 03:19 (two years ago) link
Arkestra and Subotnik... Lineup got insane
https://bigearsfestival.org/surprise-new-artist-additions/
― insane oatmeal raisin cookie posse (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 1 November 2022 14:39 (one year ago) link
also psyched about Beth Orton and Kae Tempest
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Tuesday, 1 November 2022 15:13 (one year ago) link
think i'm finally going to this.
― ꙮ (map), Sunday, 6 November 2022 20:32 (one year ago) link
The latest Zorn is his Hermetic Organ show from last year... What other CDs are Big Ears sets? I know the Body/Head 'No Waves' album was from 2014 and Fennesz/Daniell/Buck was 2009
― Whiney G. Weingarten, Tuesday, 10 January 2023 22:32 (one year ago) link
Jason Moran and Milford Graves
― Lord Pickles (Boring, Maryland), Tuesday, 10 January 2023 22:33 (one year ago) link
Also email from organizers today report that Amadou and Mariam and Beth Orton have dropped out.
― Lord Pickles (Boring, Maryland), Wednesday, 11 January 2023 04:44 (one year ago) link
Wadada Leo Smith and Andrew Cyrille added, making my decision to skip this year questionable. Glad I saw them at the Vision Festival last year.
― Lord Pickles (Boring, Maryland), Tuesday, 17 January 2023 23:21 (one year ago) link
for those NYers not able to make Big Ears, consider Long Play.$380 for VIP, $200 for base level
https://bangonacan.org/long-play-2023/
Bang on a Can's Long Play festival returns in 2023 with 50+ adventurous concerts over 3-days at 8 venues in downtown Brooklyn. Featuring the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the Philip Glass Ensemble, Meredith Monk and Bang on a Can All-Stars, Caroline Shaw, Dawn Richard + Spencer Zahn, Mount Eerie, Tyshawn Sorey, and many more.A 3-Day Pass includes entry to all 50+ concerts, including Meredith Monk and Bang on a Can All-Stars MEMORY GAME opening night concert, May 5th co-presented by Town Hall at Pioneer Works.A 3-Day SUPPORTER PASS also includes an exclusive afterparty with Meredith Monk and Bang on a Can in celebration of Meredith's 80th Birthday. Supporter Passes also FULLY subsidize the purchase of one LONG PLAY 2023 day-pass for persons unable to pay for the cost of a full priced ticket. So you'll get to see 50+ great shows and feel the warm glow of buying someone else a ticket too! Supporters will also access festival meet and greets with composers, artists and a celebratory toast with the performers at the culmination of the festival.Confirmed lineup (with more to come):75 Dollar Bill Little Big Band, Adam O'Farrill's Stranger Days, Alarm Will Sound, Alvin Singleton, Annea Lockwood, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Bang on a Can All-Stars, big dog little dog (Jesse Montgomery + Eleonore Oppenheim), Brandon Lopez and Fred Moten duo, Caroline Shaw, Catherine Lamb, Christopher Otto, Conrad Tao, Dave Liebman + Kenny Werner, David Friend, David Sanford Big Band, David Lang, Doug Perkins, Eliana Glass, Exo-Tech, Ganavya + Shabaka Hutchings, Greg Davis, Gyan Riley + Krishna Bhatt, Harriet Tubman, Ian Chang, Iannis Xenakis, Iva Bittová, JACK Quartet, James Brandon Lewis + Chad Taylor duo, Jessica Moss, Joseph Branciforte + Taylor Deupree, June McDoom, Julia Wolfe, Kalbells, Kalia Vandever Quartet, LITURGY, Lori Goldston, Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble, Michael Gordon, Momenta Quartet, Morton Subotnick, Mount Eerie, Nailah Hunter, Nathalie Joachim, Nu Jazz, Philip Glass Ensemble, Quince Ensemble, Sō Percussion, Scarcity, Dawn Richard + Spencer Zahn, The Hands Free, Time Wharp, Thumbscrew (Mary Halvorson, Michael Formanek, Tomas Fujiwara), Tyondai Braxton/Jefre Cantu Ledesma/Ben Vida, Tyshawn Sorey, University of Michigan Percussion Ensemble, Vicky Chow, Yarn / Wire
A 3-Day Pass includes entry to all 50+ concerts, including Meredith Monk and Bang on a Can All-Stars MEMORY GAME opening night concert, May 5th co-presented by Town Hall at Pioneer Works.
A 3-Day SUPPORTER PASS also includes an exclusive afterparty with Meredith Monk and Bang on a Can in celebration of Meredith's 80th Birthday. Supporter Passes also FULLY subsidize the purchase of one LONG PLAY 2023 day-pass for persons unable to pay for the cost of a full priced ticket. So you'll get to see 50+ great shows and feel the warm glow of buying someone else a ticket too! Supporters will also access festival meet and greets with composers, artists and a celebratory toast with the performers at the culmination of the festival.
Confirmed lineup (with more to come):75 Dollar Bill Little Big Band, Adam O'Farrill's Stranger Days, Alarm Will Sound, Alvin Singleton, Annea Lockwood, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Bang on a Can All-Stars, big dog little dog (Jesse Montgomery + Eleonore Oppenheim), Brandon Lopez and Fred Moten duo, Caroline Shaw, Catherine Lamb, Christopher Otto, Conrad Tao, Dave Liebman + Kenny Werner, David Friend, David Sanford Big Band, David Lang, Doug Perkins, Eliana Glass, Exo-Tech, Ganavya + Shabaka Hutchings, Greg Davis, Gyan Riley + Krishna Bhatt, Harriet Tubman, Ian Chang, Iannis Xenakis, Iva Bittová, JACK Quartet, James Brandon Lewis + Chad Taylor duo, Jessica Moss, Joseph Branciforte + Taylor Deupree, June McDoom, Julia Wolfe, Kalbells, Kalia Vandever Quartet, LITURGY, Lori Goldston, Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble, Michael Gordon, Momenta Quartet, Morton Subotnick, Mount Eerie, Nailah Hunter, Nathalie Joachim, Nu Jazz, Philip Glass Ensemble, Quince Ensemble, Sō Percussion, Scarcity, Dawn Richard + Spencer Zahn, The Hands Free, Time Wharp, Thumbscrew (Mary Halvorson, Michael Formanek, Tomas Fujiwara), Tyondai Braxton/Jefre Cantu Ledesma/Ben Vida, Tyshawn Sorey, University of Michigan Percussion Ensemble, Vicky Chow, Yarn / Wire
― POLIZISTEN VERSINKEN IM SCHLAMM (forksclovetofu), Friday, 27 January 2023 18:27 (one year ago) link
just now planning out my schedule and my god, the choices seem especially impossible this year
― c u (crüt), Monday, 27 March 2023 23:49 (one year ago) link
I have so many irresolvable conflicts. And even when I resolve them I end up second-guessing. Like I just realized I really can't miss Bill Orcutt Thursday night, which complicates my evening significantly.
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Tuesday, 28 March 2023 00:58 (one year ago) link
prrrrrrrrrrrrobbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbably not going to this one anytime soon lol
― Kate (rushomancy), Tuesday, 28 March 2023 05:07 (one year ago) link
but haela ravenna hunt-hendrix apparently is so maybe i'm just chickenshit lol
― Kate (rushomancy), Tuesday, 28 March 2023 05:10 (one year ago) link
Another one downTHURSDAYJake Smith/Jonathan Keeney duoYarn/WirePhill NiblockLos LobosVijay Iyer TrioFRIDAYStephen O’MalleyKali MaloneArooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad IsmailyTyshawn Sorey TrioWilliam ParkerMark Ribot: The Jazz-BinsLesley FlaniganSATURDAYBassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba‘32 Sounds’Bill Orcutt & Chris Corsano DuoThe Bad PlusEtran De L’AïrJohn Zorn: Bagatelles Part 2James “Blood” UlmerTim GickJohn Zorn: Bagatelles Part 1John Zorn: New Masada QuartetSUNDAYWadada Leo SmithJohn Zorn: Bagatelles Part 3James Brandon Lewis TrioRica ChichaEvan ZiporynPeter OneJohn Zorn with Trevor Dunn & Dave LombardoJohn Zorn: Cobra
― young sussy (Whiney G. Weingarten), Monday, 3 April 2023 03:29 (one year ago) link
Liturgy's set was lit, fwiw. I feel like they were a lot more powerful and bottom-heavy this time than when I saw them some years back, but maybe it was just a better sound system. They rocked, in any case. The crowd loved it.
I overlapped with you on some of the jazz, Whiney. I thought the Vijay Iyer Trio the first night was spectacular, even better than I expected. Other favorites of mine: Allison Russell, Irreversible Entanglements, Kali Malone's Living Torch, William Parker's Mayan Space Station, caroline.
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Monday, 3 April 2023 03:53 (one year ago) link
Kate NV was great, too, but I had to flee for my ears' sake after a bit.
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Monday, 3 April 2023 03:54 (one year ago) link
I needed that life-affirming John Zorn finale - Oneohtrix Point Never was a 75-minute anxiety attack
― c u (crüt), Monday, 3 April 2023 04:34 (one year ago) link
― young sussy (Whiney G. Weingarten), Monday, 3 April 2023 04:56 (one year ago) link
otm
― c u (crüt), Monday, 3 April 2023 05:03 (one year ago) link
SOME HIGHLIGHTS— Best of the fest is probably Etran De L’Aïr, just absolutely electric. There’s at least four or five touring desert rock bands now that are better than any American rock band, it’s crazy— Cobra with FOUR DRUMMERS was amazing: Wolleson is MVP, bass player from Trigger is the chaos engine. Insane that Wolleson was just smoking these young cats and Dave Lombardo—Vijay Iyer trio but basically watching Tyshawn Sorey 90% of the time—Los Lobos, still amazing— Phill Niblock front row brodown with aerosmith and crüt—Tupelo Honey chicken and waffles SOME LOWLIGHTS—I think they oversold the fest: long lines & rooms hitting capacity. This is my 8th Big Ears and I’ve never heard of the TENNESSEE THEATER (cap 1,645) having to turn people away—The Bad Plus, who I’ve seen amazing sets by maybe three times, sounded like a jam band—For some reason I thought I had the right of way while on a Bird scooter, braked to avoid being hit by a car and absolutely ate shit. Flintstone lump on my right knee, scrape on my arm and pain on my left leg.
― young sussy (Whiney G. Weingarten), Monday, 3 April 2023 05:25 (one year ago) link
Another lowlight is knowing that I won’t be able to go to Big Ears 2024 unless I get a job soon
― young sussy (Whiney G. Weingarten), Monday, 3 April 2023 05:27 (one year ago) link
They did raise ticket capacity this year because of adding the Civic Auditorium as a venue. But since the size of the individual venues didn’t change, that definitely meant more people trying to get into the smaller ones (and the larger ones, like the Tennessee Theatre). I was still able to get into everything I wanted, but I did make sure to show up like a half-hour early for anything that was a priority. Of course I had a media pass that let me use the “Premier” lines, was definitely harder on the GA passes.
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Monday, 3 April 2023 12:56 (one year ago) link
Liturgy's set was lit, fwiw. I feel like they were a lot more powerful and bottom-heavy this time than when I saw them some years back, but maybe it was just a better sound system.
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra)
checks out, us trans women are notorious for all being bottoms :)
― Kate (rushomancy), Monday, 3 April 2023 13:58 (one year ago) link
lol well she was killin' it.
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Monday, 3 April 2023 16:21 (one year ago) link
How was Blood Ulmer? He was maybe the one act I *really* wanted to see this year. Agree re. Sorey – when I saw him with Iyer and Oh a few years ago he was mesmerizing.
― Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 5 April 2023 18:53 (one year ago) link
Blood Ulmer was all right. If you don't appreciate slap bass, you might have had a hard time.
― young sussy (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, 5 April 2023 19:00 (one year ago) link
I wanted to see him but picked Rickie Lee Jones because I've never seen her and don't when my next chance will be. (She was great, fwiw.)
― a man often referred to in the news media as the Duke of Saxony (tipsy mothra), Wednesday, 5 April 2023 19:20 (one year ago) link
Slap bass sucks. But Harmolodic Slap Bass is awesome.
Who was in his band? Amin Ali?
― Naive Teen Idol, Thursday, 6 April 2023 18:56 (one year ago) link
Did anyone go to the Eliane Radigue performance? If so, what was it like? I’m assuming she wasn’t personally in attendance, but I was shocked to see how many octogenarians who showed in 2022.
― Naive Teen Idol, Sunday, 30 April 2023 13:20 (one year ago) link
I was there - she was not in attendance. It was supposed to be a performance by Nate Wooley (trumpet) and Carol Robinson (clarinet), who had both been taught their pieces directly by Radigue, but Robinson was unable to attend due to illness, so it ended up being just one solo trumpet piece. I was transfixed though.
― c u (crüt), Sunday, 30 April 2023 14:12 (one year ago) link
Awesome, thanks for the update, crüt
― Naive Teen Idol, Sunday, 30 April 2023 15:47 (one year ago) link