Big Ears 2015 Festival - lineup just announced

**battema** · 11-11-2014

I could be wrong, but I suspect this lineup could be of interest to some folks here.

http://bigearsfestival.com/

Among the lineup: Laurie Anderson, Kronos Quartet, Ben Frost, Harold Budd, Max Richter, Swans, Demdike Stare, Winged Victory for the Sullen, Bill Frisell, Bad Plus, Terry-holy GOD-Riley...and a schload more.

I went to Big Ears 2014 and had a simply wonderful time. I already got my ticket for 2015 a while ago in an early bird special. Passes go on sale this Friday it looks like.

I'm going to need a few minutes to stop hyperventilating...

**walt** · 11-11-2014

I really really want to go.This is kind of line-up that excites me.Variety and eclecticism galore.Too bad there doesn't appear to be train service to Knoxville.

I'll be researching flights and fares in the coming weeks, to see if i can make this happen.

**Supersonic Scientist** · 11-11-2014

WOW, never heard of this.....and only 3 hrs from Atlanta. Must investigate.

Thanks for posting!!!

**battema** · 11-11-2014

I discovered this festival by accident last year while researching tour dates for Tim Hecker. It was only a few weeks out and I almost missed going entirely. But I managed to make it happen and...to be honest, it was the musical highlight of my year.

There are four different venues ranging from a small club to the full-sized Tennessee theater. All but one has seating (and comfortable seating at that), and are within close walking distance of one another. Lots of cool restaurants and shops nearby, and there are lots of peripheral activities and events/workshops going on all weekend (last March for example, Laraaji held a "laughter meditation" out on the green).

**WHORG** · 11-11-2014

We were talking about this last year - - - this year's line up is very cool. Wow . . .

This is not too long of a trip for us - - - plus it's right at the beginning of the kid's Spring Break week too - the timing is superb.

**battema** · 11-12-2014

I hope you can make it, Josef. It is a very cool time.

**battema** · 11-24-2015

For those still following the fest, looks like next week there's going to be some lineup additions announced as well as the weekend schedule:

"Next week, we’ll be sharing some lineup additions and details, as well as revealing the schedule of concerts for Big Ears 2016. We've even dropped some hints on our Facebook, so check it out and stay tuned!"

**walt** · 11-24-2015

I'll be making my flight reservations for Knoxville early in December.Hotel is set; i print out my festival ticket on Jan.31.

**NogbadTheBad** · 11-24-2015

Woo woo

**battema** · 11-30-2015

So, the addition to the lineup is the Sun Ra Arkestra. Not really a big deal for me, but probably will make a few folks slightly happier

The blurb:

"Sun Ra Arkestra Directed by Marshall Allen Added to Big Ears Lineup!

If you’ve been paying attention, you might’ve already noticed we spilled the beans on The Sun Ra Arkestra joining us at this year’s festival! Directed by the illustrious Marshall Allen, the Arkestra will be joining us at Big Ears 2016 on Thursday, March 31. Continuing the tradition of cosmic philosopher and otherworldly jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer maestro Sun Ra, his ethereal spirit lives on through his long-running band and 92-year-old alto saxophonist Allen, who's been with the Arkestra since the early 1950s. As NPR aptly concludes, "All these years later, no one makes soul-stirring, spaced-out jazz quite like the Arkestra."

**NogbadTheBad** · 12-03-2015

Schedule now announced

http://lineup.bigearsfestival.com/events/2016/04/01/

Time to start working out a plan of attack

First conflict, Anderson & Glass on the same time as Faust.

**battema** · 12-03-2015

Yeah, I'll have a couple of conflicts. Luckily, the venues are close enough together that what I usually do is try to catch at least the first half of one set, then hoof it around the corner to catch the latter half of the other.

In this case...Faust will also be doing Dream Syndicate with Conrad on another night, so I might catch them then as well

Just for saying...the BigEars app is definitely worth downloading. Lots of helpful info whilst walking around downtown Knoxville.

**walt** · 12-03-2015

I've perused the schedule;got a rough idea of who i most want to see.Still mulling over choices...performance times........

Made my flight reservations.Not looking forward to shoe-horning my frame into an Economy Class airline seat.Only 2 and a half hours flying time from LGA to Knoxville,and less than that on the return flight.

Bring it on.

**markwoll** · 12-03-2015

I figured scheduling was going to be 'interesting'.
I guess they didn't need my input.
Some hard decisions and a significant amount of caffeine will be required.

I just hope I do not resemble this on Sunday morning.

partyanimal.jpg

**battema** · 01-05-2016

Just got a new update, hopefully some good news for folks who were seeing a bit of schedule heartburn:

"Welcome to 2016! The New Year brings more exciting ‪Big Ears news … two extraordinary installations, a thrilling film program, plus - yes - we’re taking your suggestions to heart and tweaking the schedule too! Stay tuned for details in the next week or so!"

**progholio** · 01-05-2016

Thanks for sharing - the wheels are turning

**neuroticdog** · 01-05-2016

I REALLY hope they are tweaking the schedule!!! There is so much overlap it's not even funny!! (Especially during the "headline" acts on all 3 days.)

best
Michael

**bobg56** · 01-06-2016

So Faust will be in the US? More dates for them?

**markwoll** · 01-15-2016

A lot different, I must say.
More decisions. Actually it looks like a lot of wandering around to try and catch stuff.
http://lineup.bigearsfestival.com/events/2016/03/31/

**NogbadTheBad** · 01-15-2016

Necks vs Faust
Sunn O))) vs Kamasi Washington
Gloaming vs Sun Ra

Choices choices

**battema** · 01-15-2016

I will probably try and catch 1/2 the Necks' set and then go for Faust. I'd *like* to catch some of Washington, but Faust is a slightly rarer sight for me.

I'm expecting that a few of these bands might also do tour dates on either side of Big Ears...so hopefully anything I can't catch fully at BE, I'll snag on a separate date (for example, anyone interested in the Whale Watching ensemble, they'll be on tour before Big Ears).

**walt** · 01-15-2016

So far ..Thursday looks like The Gloaming preceded by checking out John Luther Adams sited sound exhibition;Friday looks like: Tony Conrad,Chris Abrahams,Nief-Norf,and Vijay Iyer/Wadada Leo Smith;Saturday;Steven Schick,Marc Ribot,Anthony Braxton and, of course,The Necks.

I don't know how much live music i want to/can handle in one day.I don't feel the need/desire to squeeze in too much.I'm getting old and cranky.

**NogbadTheBad** · 01-15-2016

Originally Posted by walt

So far ..Thursday looks like The Gloaming preceded by checking out John Luther Adams sited sound exhibition;Friday looks like: Tony Conrad,Chris Abrahams,Nief-Norf,and Vijay Iyer/Wadada Leo Smith;Saturday;Steven Schick,Marc Ribot,Anthony Braxton and, of course,The Necks.

I don't know how much live music i want to/can handle in one day.I don't feel the need/desire to squeeze in too much.I'm getting old and cranky.

We should organize meet up times for beer & food.