This Week in Asheville: March 31-April 6
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.
Squanderers
What happens when you combine a pair of innovative guitarists — Wendy Eisenberg and David Grubbs — with legendary producer/multi-instrumentalist Kramer? Attendees to Big Ears Festival this past weekend had the opportunity to find out when the trio made its live debut. Fortunately for us, they’ll be delivering the goods Monday night at Citizen Vinyl (where Kramer was recently announced as Producer in Residence). —Jonny Leather
at Citizen Vinyl
Monday, March 31
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[experimental, ambient]
more info
Laraaji & Arji OceAnanda
Best known for his 1980 collaboration with Brian Eno, Laraaji is heralded as one of the forefathers of ambient music. In the ideal setting of APLR, the Philly native will be joined by his longtime musical partner Arji OceAnanda for a performance that’s sure to be spiritually-soothing. —JL
w/ Kramer
at AyurPrana Listening Room
Tuesday, April 1
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[ambient]
more info
Cloakroom
A bit of a throwback to the days of heavy distorted guitars blasting through mildly catchy melodies, this trio from Indiana has been an underground favorite for lovers of shoegaze and post-hardcore for years. Not to be pigeonholed, the band’s new album, Last Leg of the Human Table, is wildly unpredictable in all of the best ways. —JL
w/ The Jesus Casino / Malleus III
at Eulogy
Tuesday, April 1
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[shoegaze, indie rock]
more info
Shinyribs
Backed by an octet that includes brass and a trio of backup singers, Kevin Russell is the type of joyful presence capable of temporarily relieving an audience of its troubles. Mixing in a bunch of fun covers amongst original “swamp funk” tunes, the Austin-based artist will quickly make converts out of newbies. —JL
at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Tuesday, April 1
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[swamp funk]
more info
John Vincent III
Still in his 20s but wielding the soulfulness of an artist twice his age, this singer/songwriter crafts some of the catchiest folk rock since the heyday of The Avett Brothers. The acoustics of our cornerstone downtown venue should provide a near-ideal fit for the Houston-born LA-transplant’s full sound and rich vocals, as well as proper floorspace on which to sway. —Edwin Arnaudin
w/ Murdo Mitchell
at The Orange Peel
Wednesday, April 2
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[indie rock, americana, folk]
more info
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Fresh off a Grammy win for Best Folk Album, the legendary duo returns to Asheville this weekend in order to make good on a date that was originally scheduled in mid October. Fans can not only expect a healthy dose of tunes from the lauded Woodland, but can also be assured that the pair has been performing a fair share of classics over the two sets each night. —JL
at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Saturday, April 5
Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:30pm
[folk, bluegrass]
more info
Friendship
With ties to MJ Lenderman — bassist Jon Samuels plays in Lenderman’s backing band The Wind — and a new album set for release on indie standard-bearer Merge Records, the Philly quartet could be in store for breakout success in 2025. Early singles from Caveman Wakes Up showcase the band’s knack for the kind of pensive alt-country that will appeal to fans of David Berman and Bill Callahan. —JL
w/ Hour
at AyurPrana Listening Room
Sunday, April 6
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[alt-country, indie rock]
more info
Elder
Released in 2015, Lore, is one of the defining stoner metal albums of the 21st century. On Sunday at Eulogy, the quartet from Massachusetts will be celebrating the album’s 10 year anniversary. Somehow, as of the publication of this column, tickets are still available. —JL
w/ Sacri Monti / Moon Destroys
at Eulogy
Sunday, April 6
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[stoner rock, metal]
more info
ADDITIONAL SHOWS HAPPENING THIS WEEK
Daniel Shearin (Photo by Micah Rogers)
🎤 = comedy; 🎭 = theater
March 31: Neon Trees at The Orange Peel
April 1: Grateful Family Band at One World Brewing - West
April 1: Tear Dungeon / Night Beers / Tri Agan at Static Age Records
April 2: Daniel Shearin at New Belgium
April 2: Zambi at The One Stop
April 2: Cuberow at Pisgah Brewing
April 2: The Lehman Trilogy at NC Stage Co. 🎭
April 3: Meschiya Lake & The Moodswingers at The Crow & Quill
April 3: Chuck Ragan at Grey Eagle Music Hall
April 3: Laurel Lee and the Escapees at Highland Brewing - Taproom
April 3: Dan Alten at LaZoom 🎤
April 3: Clouds of Delusion at Pisgah Brewing
April 3: The Lehman Trilogy at NC Stage Co. 🎭
April 4: Kyle Hollingsworth Band / Sam Fribush Organ Trio at Asheville Music Hall
April 4: Comedy at Catawba: Amber Autry at Eulogy
April 4: Drowning Leo / My Gal Monday / The Ruff'Tons at Fleetwood's
April 4: Melissa Carper & Theo Lawrence at Grey Eagle Music Hall
April 4: Lord Nelson at Grey Eagle Music Hall - Patio
April 4: New Variants at Highland Brewing - Taproom
April 4: Lillie Syracuse at Jack of the Wood
April 4: Mono Means One with Isaac Hadden at The One Stop
April 4: Hustle Souls at One World Brewing - West
April 4: Color Me Asheville by Goodwill - A Celebration of Healing & Community (Benefit for Beloved) at The Orange Peel
April 4: North Mississippi Allstars at Sierra Nevada - High Gravity
April 4: Boat Command / We Have Ignition at Third Room
April 4: The Lehman Trilogy at NC Stage Co. 🎭
April 5: The Local Honeys at Asheville Music Hall
April 5: Otis Trick & The Books at The Crow & Quill
April 5: The Witching Hour, dark and dirty comedy at DSSOLVR 🎤
April 5: Off with your Radiohead (Radiohead tribute) at Eulogy
April 5: East Ritual / Killer Antz / Dai Cheri at Fleetwood's
April 5: Eyes Up Here Comedy, Beating Breast Cancer Edition at Ginger's Revenge 🎤
April 5: John “Papa” Gros at Grey Eagle Music Hall
April 5: Dirty Dead at Grey Eagle Music Hall - Patio
April 5: Travis Tritt at Harrah's Cherokee Event Center
April 5: Ramona & The Holy Smokes at Jack of the Wood
April 5: Mono Means One with the Keith Allen Circus at The One Stop
April 5: Somewhat Petty at The Orange Peel
April 5: 81 Drifters at Sierra Nevada - Amphitheater
April 5: Future Fix / Tanner York at Static Age Records
April 5: The Lehman Trilogy at NC Stage Co. 🎭
April 6: John Splithoff at Grey Eagle Music Hall
April 6: Krave Amiko at One World Brewing - West
April 6: Yonder Mountain String Band at The Orange Peel
April 6: Sidecar Honey at Sierra Nevada - Amphitheater
April 6: Freshen Up Comedy Open Mic at VOWL Bar 🎤
April 6: The Lehman Trilogy at NC Stage Co. 🎭
(Cloakroom photo by Vin Romero)
