Big Ears Festival has announced its 2027 lineup, a wide-ranging roster of more than 150 artists and 250 concerts at two dozen venues, including indie rock acts, jazz musicians, electronic artists, and rare performances.
Taking place April 1st through 4th, Big Ears 2027 will feature performances from Jeff Tweedy, Weyes Blood, Courtney Barnett, Dinner Party, Jim James, Thundercat, and Wednesday, as well as separately ticketed concerts for Nathaniel Rateliff, Norah Jones, and Gillian Welch and David Rawlings playing Grateful Dead’s Acoustic Reckoning.
Other notable performers include Avey Tare, Bill Frisell, Brad Mehldau Trio, Daniel Lanois, David Longstreth of Dirty Projectors performing solo, Hannibal Buress, Helado Tropical, Jeff Parker ETA IVtet, Karly Hartzman, Kevin Morby, Kronos Quartet, Mavis Staples, Meat Puppets, Melvins, Mon Rovîa, Mount Eerie, Mouse on Mars, Natalie Merchant with Erik Della Penna, Oneohtrix Point Never, Robert Glasper, Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal, Sleaford Mods, SML, Sylvan Esso, U.S. Girls, Valerie June, and The Womack Sisters.
That just scratches the surface of musicians and artists appearing at Big Ears Festival, which also features rare performances. The Bang on a Can All-Stars will present six concerts, including Philip Glass’ Glassworks and Ryuichi Sakamoto’s 1996, while The Big Star Quintet with Jon Auer, Mike Mills, Pat Sansone, Chris Stamey, and Jody Stephens will revive the spirit of the Memphis legends, Evan Ziporyn and Maya Beiser will reimagine David Bowie’s Blackstar with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and singer Petra Haden will play King Crimson songs a capella and with a choir.
Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, September 16th, at 9:00 a.m. ET on the festival’s website. Previous attendees of Big Ears Festival will have access to an early pre-sale on Tuesday, September 15th at 9:00 a.m. ET.
Also at the festival, bassist and scholar Melvin Gibbs will present a series of curated events related to his history book How Black Music Took Over the World, including a performance by Grammy-winning South Carolina group Ranky Tanky.
In addition, films, artist conversations, workshops, exhibitions, and interactive experiences will take place across historic theaters, churches, rock clubs, museums, event spaces, converted warehouses, galleries, and other surprise locations within Knoxville’s highly walkable historic downtown area.
