Dec 16

Dec 16 This Week in Asheville: Dec. 16-22

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.

The Jesus Lizard

Out of all of the heavy, aggressive music of the 1990s, there’s maybe no act that sounded as threatening as this Chicago-based quartet. And for as deranged as they could sound on record, singer David Yow’s stage antics made the group even more unhinged in the live setting. Rack, the band’s first album in a quarter of a century, proves that the classic lineup of Yow, David Wm. Sims, Duane Dennison, and Mac McNeilly hasn’t lost its edge. —Jonny Leather

w/ Fantømex
at The Orange Peel
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[noise rock, post-hardcore]
more info

Indigo De Souza

Everybody wins when one of the best acts in Asheville plays one of the city’s best clubs, with proceeds supporting the Campaign for Southern Equality, which advocates for lived and legal equity for LGBTQ+ people throughout the South. Locals may be feeling some benefit fatigue by now, but there continues to be an overwhelming need to support this community, especially as we’re approaching the depths of winter and the start of another Trump presidency. Plus, seeing De Souza back on stage will be beautifully cathartic. —JL

w/ WIFI Mommy / Boys_Camp
at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Wednesday, Dec. 18
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[indie rock, indie pop]
more info

MJ Lenderman & The Wind

It’s been a hell of a year for the Carolina singer-songwriter. Praise for his latest album, Manning Fireworks, has come as a steady stream for months, culminating with Rolling Stone placing it at #3 on its year-end list, directly between albums by mega pop stars Charlie XCX, Beyonce, Sabrina Carpenter, and Billie Eilish. Playing consecutive nights at his treasured hometown venue, this should be an incredible celebration for Lenderman. —JL

w/ Ryan Davis & the Roadhouse Band
at The Orange Peel
Friday, Dec. 20 & Saturday, Dec. 21
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[indie rock, alt-country]
more info

Yarn

Anyone who’s seen this alt-country group live knows they’re one of the best in-person acts around, and they somehow crank things up to another level whenever they’re in the close confines of The Grey Eagle. Billed as the band’s Holiday Ball, the show promises to be extra cathartic for frontman Blake Christiana, who splits his time between Brevard and Raleigh and will be playing his first WNC show since Hurricane Helene hit. —Edwin Arnaudin

at The Grey Eagle
Saturday, Dec. 21
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[alt-country, rock]
more info