Anohni and the Johnsons, Waxahatchee, Explosions in the Sky, Bela Fleck’s new trio and Yo La Tengo (with and without Sun Ra Arkestra) lead the initial lineup for the 2025 Big Ears festival, which will return March 27-30 to Knoxville, Tn. The event will feature the North American premiere of Radiohead/The Smile’s Jonny Greenwood’s 133 Years of Reverb, performed by James McVinnie and Eliza McCarthy.
Also on the bill are Jessica Pratt, Alabaster DePlume, Cassandra Jenkins, Dawn Richard & Spencer Zahn, Helado Negro, Tindersticks, Julia Holter, Lankum, Meshell Ndegeocello, ML Buch and Rufus Wainwright.
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Meanwhile, the jazz and experimental world will be well represented by Steve Roach, Bill Frisell, Arooj Aftab, Carlos Niño and Friends, 2024 Pulitzer Prize winner Tyshawn Sorey, Michael Rother performing the music of Neu! and Harmonia, Wadada Leo Smith, William Basinski, Immanuel Wilkins, Mary Lattimore, Kahil El’Zabar, Taj Mahal, Tortoise, Nels Cline and Amaro Freitas.
Other special events include Kate Soper’s Ipsa Dixit and Philip Glass’ Music in Twelve Parts, performed by the Philip Glass Ensemble in honor of its 50th anniversary. Bob Holmes and SUSS are curating a “multi-artist exploration of ambient and Americana musical soundscapes,” while esteemed producer King Britt will revisit his Blacktronika series with Antipop Consortium, Indian vocalist Asha Puthli and Free Form Funky Freqs, featuring Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Living Colour’s Vernon Reid and Calvin Weston.
Tickets go on sale Thursday (9/12). Visit Big Ears’ website for more information.
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