Knoxville’s Big Ears Festival Announces 2016 Lineup!

Did you realize that there’s a world-class avant-garde festival that happens just down I-40 every year? If you didn’t know, now you do – Knoxville’s Big Ears Festival is one of the most diverse, classy and exciting festivals in the entire world, and it’s just a short drive from Nashville. The lineup for this year’s edition – their 5th year – just dropped this morning, and it might just be their most all-encompassing yet. Over 40 acts will descend upon Knoxville Thursday, March 31 – Saturday, April 2, including artist-in-residence John Luther Adams and a special collaboration between Laurie Anderson & Phillip Glass. Some other highlights include Andrew Bird, Sunn 0))), Yo La Tengo, Shabazz Palaces, Anthony Braxton, Nicolas Jaar, Faust and local favorites Lambchop. They will perform in venues spread around the city and include the Tennessee Theatre, Bijou Theatre, the Square Room and the Standard. Tickets start at just $139, and you can purchase them here starting this Friday. Check out the rest of the lineup and the full announcement graphic after the jump!

THURSDAY, MAR 31

Knoxville Symphony Orchestra with guest conductor Steven Schick performing the Music of John Luther Adams, Bryce Dessner, and Philip Glass with Guest Cellist Maya Beiser
The Gloaming
Yo La Tengo
Andy Stott
Tony Conrad
Wolf Eyes
Marc Ribot
Xylouris White
Zeena Parkins & Tony Buck
Olivia Chaney
Mamiffer

FRIDAY, APR 1

Andrew Bird
Anthony Braxton Tentet
Outside the Dream Syndicate (Tony Conrad with Faust)
Nicolas Jaar (DJ)
Vijay Iyer & Wadada Leo Smith
eighth blackbird with Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Bryce Dessner
Yo La Tengo & Lambchop
Shabazz Palaces
Steven Schick
Bombino
Joe Henry & Marc Ribot
Phantom Orchard
Chris Abrahams
Molly Nilsson

SATURDAY, APR 2

An Evening with Laurie Anderson & Philip Glass
Sunn O)))
Bedroom Community 10th Anniversary: Nico Muhly, Ben Frost, Sam Amidon, & Valgeir Sigurðsson
The Necks
Kiasmos (Ólafur Arnalds & Janus Rasmussen)
Angel Olsen
Lambchop
Anthony Braxton Trio
Faust
Kamasi Washington
Mary Halvorson
Hieroglyphic Being
Circuit des Yeux
Ikue Mori
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