Avey Tare Headlines The End with Geologist (Both of Animal Collective) and Zook Tonight, Sept. 27

Best known for his role in famed experimental pop outfit Animal Collective, one of the preeminent indie groups of the 2000s and 2010s, David Portner, better known by his musical moniker Avey Tare, has been just as prolific outside of the collective for a number of years as well, collaborating with his bandmates and other artists, forming group Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks a decade ago, and releasing a series of proper solo albums, including most recent (and fourth, if you’re counting purely solo endeavors), 7s, which arrived earlier this year, sandwiched between a pair of Animal Collective comeback records- last year’s Time Skiffs, and Isn’t It Now?, which arrives this Friday.

Just as eclectic and genre-bending in style as his famous band (though, definitionally, they are truly a musical collective, Portner is often considered the group’s de-facto frontman and primary songwriter), Avey Tare was inspired to make 7s after wrapping production on Time Skiffs while still in Covid lockdown, crafting it in his new hometown of Asheville, NC, and working with producer Adam McDaniel. The result is something a bit more poppy, baroque, and accessible than some of his more experimental and conceptual prior efforts (though there’s still plenty of experimentation and electronic flourish), which feels distinct from but complimentary to Animal Collective’s also excellent recent work.

Best we can tell, and despite the fact that he’ll be back again next month to support Soccer Mommy, it’s been almost a decade since Avey Tare last played Nashville (and even then, it was technically as Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks), so we’re especially excited for return tonight, Sept. 27 at intimate venue The End, where he’ll be joined by Animal Collective bandmate Geologist (who hasn’t released much solo work of his own, but has long been a staple in collaborating with Tare and other bandmates) and local psych-folk artist Zook. We’re a little shocked to see that tickets still available right here, given it’s a chance to see half the members of an extremely beloved and popular band play solo in a tiny club, but that’s good news if you’re just finding out about this- one of the most exciting first happenings in a busy fall of great shows!

Avey Tare, Geologist, and Zook will perform tonight, Sept. 27 at The End. The show is 18+, begins at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.), and tickets are available for $20.