This Week in Asheville: Dec. 1-7
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.
Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band
Amid the recent resurgence of alt-country, we’ve been treated to a wave of compelling storytellers. But few match Ryan Davis’ knack for crafting delightfully bizarre lyrical incantations. Months after its release, his band’s latest album, New Threats From the Soul, still captivates with its bewildering, mesmerizing musings. —Jonny Leather
w/ Arbor Labor Union
at AyurPrana Listening Room
Monday, Dec. 1
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[folk rock, Americana]
more info
All Them Witches
The Nashville band channels bluesy riffs into sweeping psychedelic journeys that nod to ’70s stadium rock while still feeling unmistakably modern. —JL
w/ King Buffalo
at The Orange Peel
Tuesday, Dec. 2
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[stoner metal, hard rock]
more info
Bonnie “Prince” Billy
There’s no one quite like Will Oldham. The alt-country legend confronts life and death with the clarity and curiosity of a philosopher, crafting ideas that linger with listeners long after the music fades. —JL
w/ Matt Kivel
at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[folk rock, Americana]
more info
OK Go
The Chicago power-pop band rocketed into the mainstream in 2007 with its wildly inventive, low-budget video for “Here It Goes Again.” In the years since, the group has proven that the viral attention was no fluke, steadily building a case for being the greatest music-video band of all time. And it’s not just the visuals — the artists back it up with irresistibly catchy songs and high-energy, extremely fun live shows. —JL
w/ L.A. Exes
at The Orange Peel
Friday, Dec. 5
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[power pop, alternative rock]
more info
Napoleon Dynamite Live!
When it came out over two decades ago, the indie comedy was unexpectedly a massive hit. And unlike so many other comedies from that time period, it’s actually aged incredibly well. Beloved cast members Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Efren Ramirez (Pedro), and Jon Gries (Uncle Rico) will be on hand for a special screening and interactive post-film event. —JL
at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Sunday, Dec. 7
Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:30pm
[movie screening, Q&A]
more info
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Noah Proudfoot (Photo courtesy of the artist)
🎤 = comedy; 🎭 = theater
Dec. 3: C.Shreve the Professor + Mike Martinez + DJ Jet + Mister Burns + Juan Holladay at Pulp
Dec. 4: Make The Yuletide Gay at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Dec. 4: Oscar Lindsey + James Eichman + i26connector + Tanner York at Static Age Records
Dec. 5: Noah Proudfoot + Samara Jade at AyurPrana Listening Room
Dec. 5: ENTHEOS + Fallujah + The Zenith Passage + Tracheotomy at Eulogy
Dec. 5: Southern Culture on the Skids at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Dec. 5: Com Truise at Third Room
Dec. 5: The Comedy Zone: Helen Hong at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts 🎤
Dec. 6: Susto Stringband + Oliver Hazard at Asheville Music Hall
Dec. 6: Live Music for Two Historic Silent Films Performed by Min Xiao-Fen & River Guerguerian at AyurPrana Listening Room
Dec. 6: Drrtywulvz and Vinja + Psydell + Ghostdogs at Eulogy
Dec. 6: Reeko (NOFX Tribute) + My Gal Monday + Player VS Player at Fleetwood's
Dec. 6: Eyes Up Here Comedy: Winter Witches Edition at Ginger's Revenge 🎤
Dec. 6: JD McPherson at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Dec. 6: Hell Hounds: Dark and Dirty Comedy at The Hound 🎤
Dec. 6: Zakk Sabbath at The Orange Peel
Dec. 6: Same As It Ever Was at Revival Asheville
Dec. 6: Formless + Abito Nero + Kangarot at Static Age Records
Dec. 6: The Comedy Zone: Helen Hong at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts 🎤
Dec. 7: Mini Trees at Eulogy
Dec. 7: Robert Lester Folsom at Grey Eagle Music Hall
For full events listings check out AVL-Live.com
(Ryan Davis photo by Chad Smith)
