Aug 4

Aug 4 This Week in Asheville: Aug. 4-10

Asheville’s wealth of live music, theater, and comedy 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.

Side Stories Live!

Side Stories, hosted by comedians Henry Zebrowski and Ed Larson, is a spin-off of the long-running Last Podcast on the Left. With a loyal fanbase and years of momentum, it’s no surprise the show has spawned offshoots. Like the main pod, Side Stories dives into the worlds of true crime and the paranormal — but in a more compact, digestible format. If you're into bizarre, creepy tales told with humor, this one's for you. —Jonny Leather

at The Orange Peel
Thursday, Aug. 7
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[live Podcast, true crime]
more info

Deer Tick

When it comes to pure rock ‘n’ roll, it’s tough to top the boys from Providence. Led by frontman John McCauley’s instantly engaging gravelly voice, the quartet has delivered a string of impossibly catchy tracks for over 20 years and has kept Asheville-area stages in regular rotation on their seemingly neverending tours. Making a detour from their current trek with Drive-By Truckers (if only!), Deer Tick returns to Pisgah Brewing for the first time in six years. They always bring it on stage, but they also always seem to give a little extra when they’re in Black Mountain. —Edwin Arnaudin

w/ Twain
at Pisgah Brewing
Thursday, Aug. 7
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[folk rock, alternative]
more info

Asheville Comedy Festival

Last weekend’s trio of headlining acts helped kick things off, but the heart of ACF lies in its showcases of rising stand-up talent. That’s what’s on tap Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, where 11 comedians take the stage each evening. With that kind of lineup, odds are high someone will crack you up hard enough to risk a wardrobe change.

And if that’s not enough, ACF is also hosting The Big Weiner Party on Saturday afternoon at Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, where nine teams will square off against 2,700 hot dogs. It just might end up being the weekend’s most ridiculous (and hilarious) event. —JL

at Wortham Center for Performing Arts
Thursday, Aug. 7 - Saturday, Aug. 9
Show: 7:30pm
[comedy]
more info

Barrington Levy

A pivotal voice in the rise of dancehall during the late '70s and early '80s, this reggae artist stands as one of Jamaica’s most legendary musicians. He’s remained active well into the 21st century, collaborating with artists like Handsome Boy Modeling School and Gorillaz (and being namechecked by Mos Def). —JL

at Asheville Music Hall
Friday, Aug. 8
Show: 9pm
[reggae, dancehall]
more info

Scott Miller

Alt-country is in the midst of a renaissance, with a wave of young bands carrying the torch. But as a member of Knoxville legends The V-Roys, Miller is a holdover from an earlier era — one who deserves far more recognition than he’s received. His recent induction into the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame is a well-earned step in that direction. —JL

w/ Tin Roof Echo
at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Friday, Aug. 8
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[alt-country, roots rock]
more info

David Levithan & Jens Lekman present Songs for Other People's Weddings

Author David Levithan and songwriter Jens Lekman have joined forces for a novel centered on a hapless wedding singer. Presented by Malaprop’s, the event will feature a conversation about the book along with a live performance of songs inspired by it — and any opportunity to see Lekman perform is well worth the price of admission. This one just so happens to include a copy of the book. —JL

at DayTrip
Saturday, Aug. 9
Doors: 5:30pm / Show: 6pm
[book reading, indie pop]
more info

East Forest

He’s composed music specifically designed to accompany psilocybin mushroom journeys — and while no one in Asheville would ever dabble in mind-expanding hallucinogens (of course not), it’s safe to assume the crowd at Saturday night’s Orange Peel show will find their own way to drift into his ambient electronic dreamscape. For more insight, check out Asheville Stages’ recent interview with the artist. —JL

at The Orange Peel
Saturday, Aug. 9
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[ambient, electronic]
more info

Cam Girl

For the past several months, the local quintet has been hitting the road hard, seemingly playing every club in the country in support of their wild new album, Flesh & Chrome. They’re about to take a well-earned break — but not before one final blowout hometown show. —JL

w/ TinyTVs + Madder Max
at The Odd
Sunday, Aug. 10
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[glam rock, punk, metal]
more info