Les Claypool's Bastard Jazz, Béla Fleck, Taj Mahal Highlight Big Ears Festival's Sonic Diversity [Photos/Videos]

Only at Big Ears Festival can you see bastard jazz, globetrotting trios, blues legends, avante composers, and so much more over the span of a few days and a few miles. The reliably eclectic music festival returned to Knoxville, TN over the weekend with an impressive array of artists from across the globe.

There was something for everyone at Big Ears Festival 2025, from Les Claypool’s Bastard Jazz to a new trio of banjo extraordinaire Béla Fleck, Columbian harpist Edmar Castañeda, and Mexican drummer Antonio Sánchez. Blues great Taj Mahal appeared on the lineup beside an exploratory pairing of Sun Ra Arkestra and Yo La Tengo, while Grammy-winning bassist Esperanza Spalding played the day after Portishead singer-songwriter Beth Gibbons.

Tabla master Zakir Hussain was scheduled to play the festival before he passed away late last year at the age of 73. In his place, jazz composer Charles Lloyd led a tribute to the genereational talent. Elsewhere, singer-songwriter/poet Meshell Ndegeocello delivered the gospel of literary giant James Baldwin. Wilco guitarist Nels Cline introduced a new project The Nels Cline Singers featuring saxophonist Skerik (Les Claypool), keyboardist Brian Marsella (John Zorn), bassist Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle), drummer Scott Amendola (Bill Frisell, Charlie Hunter), and perucssionist Cyro Baptista (Trey Anastasio Band); and Dave Harrington’s DARKSIDE explored the outer limits of experimental rock. For every musical persuasion and taste, there was a time and place for you at Big Ears Festival.