Big Ears Festival will host a staggering 250 performances, plus films, conversations, and more, across 20+ venues in downtown Knoxville, TN on March 26th–29th, 2026.
With a stacked lineup spanning genres and generations, the festival will feature big names and rising stars, with David Byrne, Robert Plant, Laurie Anderson, John Zorn, and Flying Lotus topping the bill. John Zorn will present 12 performances across two days, ranging from his Masada Quartet and groundbreaking improvisational game piece Cobra to collaborations with Laurie Anderson and others.
Additional highlights include John Scofield Trio, Alan Sparhawk with Trampled by Turtles, Reggie Watts, Cymande, Nels Cline & Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble, SHABAKA, Pino Palladino & Blake Mills, Marc Ribot, Julian Lage Quartet, MJ Lenderman & the Wind, Nate Smith, Taper’s Choice, Tom Skinner, S.G. Goodman, Tim Heidecker & the Very Good Band with Neil Hamburger, Perfume Genius, Ghost Train Orchestra, and many more.
Highlights From Big Ears 2025
“Boldly, passionately, and exuberantly, with as much heart and soul as we can muster—this is how we have challenged ourselves to respond to these difficult and unpredictable times. This is the spirit behind Big Ears 2026,” said Ashley Capps, Big Ears Executive and Artistic Director. “Over the years, an extraordinary community has evolved around this festival, bound together by a shared curiosity, passion, and love for music and culture that defies boundaries and expands traditions—wild, tender, searching, and sublime. Nurturing this community and its potential, seeking space for new ideas and possibilities to come to fruition, is at the forefront of our vision and planning.”
A Big Ears weekend pass provides access to the vast majority of shows, but for 2026 the festival will also introduce a series of special stand-alone concerts that require an additional ticket. Passholders will receive first access and preferred pricing for these reserved-seating events. The months ahead will bring further announcements about residencies, workshops, exhibitions, activations, and conversations.
Passes are available now via a special donor pre-sale. Previous festival purchasers will have early access beginning Wednesday, September 10th at 9:00 a.m. ET, followed by the general on-sale on Thursday, September 11th at 9:00 a.m. ET. Current donors and previous purchasers will receive a unique access code via email.
For more information, visit the festival website. Revisit Live For Live Music‘s coverage of Big Ears 2025.
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