ARTS + MUSIC

You Know You Have Been to Beer City Festival When…

It is no secret that Asheville is most definitely a beer town. Beer City Festival is just one big party to remind us that just when we thought we knew the beer scene in and out, these breweries will throw something new at you to keep you on your toes.

5 Reasons Why You Should go to Beer City Festival

If you are a beer drinker, there's probably not much holding you back from enjoying Asheville Beer Week and getting pumped for its finale – Beer City Festival on Saturday, May 30.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks > 5/22

If you're not packing up the car to head out of town for the three day weekend, we've got you covered. As usual Asheville is hosting great events this weekend meaning there's plenty to do. So, throw on something fun, grab your friends, and hit the town.

Vaski w/Marley Carroll + Lucidea @ New Mountain May 21

Dubstep may be a dirty word, but Minneapolis-based Vaski assures us it can stay fresh with careful craftsmanship and a sonic sensitivity that ranges from chilled, melodic electro to high-energy party bass. He's been crushing the scene since he was a teenager.

Mac McCaughan of Superchunk + Portastatic Plays Mothlight 5/22

Mac McCaughan, an American musician based in North Carolina, is perhaps best known for being in Superchunk and Portastatic and will be playing the Mothlight on Friday, May 22 along with Flesh Wounds and Impossible Vacation.

Music Video Asheville Was Everything I Expected and Couldn't Have Even Imagined

Backstage Sass heads to Music Video Asheville 2015. Silliness ensues. Check out a review of the night of music and mingling and a full list of winners. Here's to next year.

Why LEAF is one of The Best Fests Around

The 40th LEAF Festival is this weekend and we are just too excited. To get even more pumped, we decided to ask some friends to share the first thing that comes to mind when asked what it is they love most about LEAF.

Tix Still Available for Beer City Festival on May 30

Asheville's Beer City Festival returns on Saturday, May 30th featuring beer tastings from members of the Asheville Brewers Alliance plus music from regional bands.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks 5/1

May is officially here and you officially need weekend plans. Asheville has plenty to offer and we've rounded up some of the best events for you to check out. So put on something fun and get out and enjoy yourself, because it's weekend.

Get Ready for 8th Annual Music Video Asheville

Music Video Asheville 2014's big winner Marley Carroll discusses the red carpet event. Kick up your heels for this year's ceremony, Wednesday, April 29th.

An Update from the Asheville Buskers Collective

Local musician Andrew Fletcher speaks on behalf of the Asheville Buskers Collective on the continuing and necessary dialogue happening in our community on what street performers mean to Asheville.

Founder of Asheville Beat Tape Collective Plays One Stop May 8

Nigel One has been an instrumental member of Asheville's electronic music scene and founded the Asheville Beat Tape Collective, a group seeking to continue a supportive, networked community that expands our city’s presence on the national scene.

New Mountain Announces Change to Grand Opening Weekend

No fear, the long-awaited Grand Opening Weekend of New Mountain's Amphitheater is still bound to be one of THE musical events in Asheville of the season. There's just a slight change to Friday night's kick off with the Black Lips.

Asheville Entrepreneur Has Dream Job: Lead a Beachside Music Fest

Asheville entrepreneur Sean O'Connell will throw one of the spring's hottest music festivals next month. From beachside music to bikini-clad concert-goers, O'Connell will play host to about 40,000 music lovers attending this year's Hangout Music Fest.

See Dave Rawlings Machine w/ Gillian Welch at The Orange Peel

The Dave Rawlings Machine will be performing at The Orange Peel on April 24 with Gillian Welch, his partner in life and music for 20 years. They have played sold-out shows to appreciative audiences in Asheville over the past few years and return this week.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks

The saying goes April showers bring May flowers and Asheville is in full bloom and booming with killer music and events. Check out just a few of our top picks for this weekend and get out and have some fun!

I AM AVL > Your Live Music Channel

Into it's third year, Independent Arts and Music of Asheville a.k.a. iamavl.com released a short video explaining their purpose and mission. With over 450 shows in the archives, IamAVL continues to promote and preserve the vibrant music and arts scene in Asheville NC.

MarchFourth! Storms the Orange Peel April 16

This marching band and circus act hybrid brings the funk and full on theatrics to the Orange Peel Thursday April 16. Learn more about this 30-piece band, their influences, and enter for a chance to win tickets to see this not to be missed show.

All Star Line up TONIGHT > Asheville Music Hall

This month’s BEAT LIFE is a chance to see exceptional nights of music at the One Stop and Asheville Music Hall in downtown Asheville.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks

Spring has finally sprung and it's time to break out the shorts and tank tops and hit the town. As always, we've rounded up just a few of the best events this town has to offer. So get up and go have some fun!

One of the Oldest Bars in Asheville You've Probably Never Heard Of

Right on the corner of Craven Street and Haywood Road is a pretty non-descriptish, light blue and white building you might know well, or, not at all. It’s the Burger Bar and many consider it to be The Oldest Bar in Asheville. And no, they don’t serve burgers.

8 Questions with The River Rats Front Man > Andrew Scotchie

Passion, hard work and a dash of style is what truly sets apart the good from the great, and Andrew Scotchie has talent - and style. I had the pleasure of sitting down with the rocker to talk about the origin of The River Rats, their new album, and what the future holds.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks

It seems as though we blinked and the last week of March was upon us. But no worries, the weekend is here and we've got you covered with our picks of just some of the best events going on around town. So, get up and go have some fun, Asheville.

The Apache Relay Returns to The Grey Eagle

The Apache Relay, a folksy pop band from Nashville and Western North Carolina return to the Grey Eagle on March 28 where they once again expect to be welcomed with warm, open, Asheville arms.

Looking For the After Party? BomBassic Knows Where It's At

Is anyone throwing "official" after parties for local electronic shows? BomBassic’s increasingly popular After Hours are the only ones I'm hearing about and attending. Let's make these guys official, for goodness' sake.

Steve Gunn Makes an Appearance at The Mothlight

Sometimes the best friends you’ll ever make are the ones who knew you when you weren’t someone yet. For Steve Gunn, the guys at Harvest Records are the ones who helped him build such a reputation in Asheville and much of Western North Carolina.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks

It's the weekend again and you know what that means? We've rounded up just a few of the best events in town for you to check out. So get out and have some fun.

Luzius Stone's Album Release Show @ The Mothlight > Friday March 20

Self-described “mountain boy” and “electronic art rock”-er Luzius Stone is finally unleashing his long-awaited album at his album release party this Friday at the Mothlight.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks

It might be a little rainy and gloomy, but it's finally starting to feel like Spring is peeking its head out, so pack the puffy coats away and get outside. We've rounded up some of this weekend's picks.

BEAT LIFE Presents P3riph3ral + More at One Stop | March 14

The Beat Tape Collective is constantly pushing Asheville’s electronic music horizons further, bringing in new and innovative acts from afar and highlighting up-and-coming local talents.

Moon Duo’s Lunar Dreamscapes > The Mothlight | March 12

Moon Duo’s music, flavored by the surreal and the psychedelic, dreamy and still rough around the edges, will fill Asheville’s Mothlight on Thursday, March 12th.

Asheville Weekend Grit Picks

Looks like Asheville is finally starting to shake off the worst of the winter (hopefully?!) and it's time to get out and enjoy the first weekend in March. Here is a small list of suggestions of what to do in and around town.

PitchBlak Brass Band Meets Empire Strikes Brass at Asheville Music Hall

Max Sholl of PitchBlak Brass Band chatted with us about his super diverse band and music which tends to start with a classical feel. Then the beat drops. They play Saturday, March 7 at the Asheville Music Hall with Empire Strikes Brass.

Opposite Box Comes to Asheville Music Hall

On Thursday March 5, Opposite Box is coming to the Asheville Music Hall to serve up a healthy dose of their unusual blend of "belligerent jungle funk" along with headliners Main Squeeze. Who wants the Funk?

What's Going on with Asheville-Based Organic Records

Organic Records has spent 2 years building an independent label home to "Great Music, No Boundaries" with a roster of great original roots artists including some of the fastest rising bands in the region.

Lotus Returned to The Orange Peel for its Gilded Age Tour

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of their breakout album, Lotus returned recently to The Orange Peel where they played a sold out show. I was able to chat with guitarist and keyboardist Luke Miller as well as some fans about their unique and enduring style.