Aug 13

Aug 13 This Week in Asheville: Aug. 12-18

Asheville’s wealth of live music offerings can leave concertgoers feeling overwhelmed when it comes to picking which shows to attend. But have no fear! The Asheville Stages staff is here to help with insights on the week’s most appealing options.

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit

The Grammy-winning Southern rocker’s love affair with Asheville continues with the latest of his practically annual shows. But if anyone is immune to phoning in a performance or reaching anything close to complacency, it’s Isbell — and with last year’s album cycle tour in support of 2023’s Weathervanes behind him, there’s every reason to believe that this summer’s Rabbit Rabbit stop will feature a more hits-laden set than usual.

Likewise buoying attendee confidence is friend of the site Patrick Hester’s report from Saturday’s tour stop in Indianapolis. He notes that the headliner was “far more energetic” than the previous time Patrick caught an Isbell show. And that non-binary, ex-preacher country singer Adeem the Artist gave a “funny, engaging, and really enjoyable musically” opening set. Yes, please.

w/ Adeem The Artist
at Rabbit Rabbit
Tuesday, August 13
Doors: 5:30pm / Show: 7pm
[alt-country]
more info

WHY?

Defying the genre compartmentalization that so many acts could be subjected to, it’s never been easy to label this group from Cincinnati. Formed after lead vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Yoni Wolf’s run in the early-aughts as one-third of innovative experimental hip-hop trio cLOUDDEAD, WHY? seamlessly blends hip-hop, psychedelic pop, indie rock, and more into its own individualistic style. New album The Well I Fell Into may be the band’s most heartfelt statement yet.

Get there early, because you’re not going to want to miss electronic artist Baths’ opening set, which will be worth the price of admission on its own.

w/ Baths
at Grey Eagle
Friday, August 16
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[alt-hip hop, indie rock]
more info

One Night Stand with Stormy Daniels

You know you’re intrigued. How could you not be? This is the same former porn star that recently went on the stand and testified in striking detail about her sexual encounter with Donald Trump. If she was willing to roast his little weiner on the record, just imagine the kinds of hilariously revolting details she’ll share with an audience gathered to experience some good laughs.

w/ Greg Studley / hosted by Neil Rubenstein
at Wortham Center for Performing Arts
Friday, August 16
Doors: Show: 7pm
[comedy?]
more info