Jan 19

Jan 19 This Week in Asheville: Jan. 19-25

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.

Billy Martin + Matt Glassmeyer + Jonathan Goldberger

The new trio of renowned New York-based improvisers released its debut album, State Fête, on Friday, and we’re lucky to be one of the few cities on their current tour itinerary. —Jonny Leather

at AyurPrana Listening Room
Monday, Jan. 19
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[experimental, jazz]
more info

Modern Nature

It takes patience to fully appreciate the slowly unraveling songs of English singer/songwriter Jack Cooper and his band. There are no big riffs or foot-stomping choruses here; instead, a quiet, glimmering elegance gradually emerges from the group’s sparse arrangements — think Sea & Cake performing the music of Talk Talk. Fortunately, APLR offers the kind of intimate setting where the quartet’s subtle magic can truly shine. —JL

w/ Brigid Dawson & The Mothers Network
at AyurPrana Listening Room ***NEW VENUE*** Static Age Records
Tuesday, Jan. 20
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[indie rock, chamber folk]
more info

Steve Okonski

While much of jazz is designed to challenge the listener, the local pianist’s latest record, Entrance Music, does the opposite through soothing, inviting, and playfully fresh compositions. He’ll be joined by Michael Libramento and Dave Hartley for this special performance. —JL

at AyurPrana Listening Room
Friday, Jan. 23
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[jazz]
more info

Neil Hamburger

Few comedians have mastered the art of pushing a crowd’s buttons quite like this Gregg Turkington creation. Fully committed to a persona that skewers the schlocky stand-ups of another era, the combover-donning comic has been clearing rooms for decades — laying the groundwork for the absurdist alt-comedy boom of the 21st century. —JL

w/ Chris Crofton
at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Friday, Jan. 23
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[stand-up comedy]
more info

Powder Horns

On their new album Heavy Dreamer, out Friday, the local band levels up with vibrant brass and violin arrangements. Expect Brett J. Kent and company to go all out as they celebrate the release. —JL

w/ Mechanical River + Cheeks + Zeb Camp Wright
at Eulogy
Saturday, Jan. 24
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[indie rock, garage rock]
more info

Sudan Archives

I feel lucky to have caught Brittney Denise Parks back in October 2022, when the genre-bending pop star blew the roof off The Grey Eagle. At the time, it was clear she was ready for bigger stages. Now, touring in support of her critically acclaimed 2025 album The BPM, look for a set packed wall-to-wall with bangers. —JL

w/ Halima
at The Orange Peel
Saturday, Jan. 24
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[art pop, alt-R&B]
more info

Mark Hosler

As a founding member of Negativland, he’s been at the forefront of experimental music since the early 1980s. The group’s pioneering use of sampling and sound collage not only pushed the limits of copyright law, but helped reshape the possibilities of contemporary music writ large. It’s difficult to imagine artists like Oneohtrix Point Never without the path Negativland helped forge — and yet Hosler and the group remain surprisingly overlooked. —JL

w/ Sleep Number ft Jed Willis + Mikey Powers
at Revolve
Sunday, Jan. 25
Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7pm
[experimental]
more info