Sep 15

Sep 15 This Week in Asheville: Sept. 15-21

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.

Panda Bear

Few artists have shaped 21st-century music quite like Noah Lennox. Through his work with Animal Collective and his parallel solo career, he’s consistently blended experimental impulses with pop sensibilities in thrilling ways. His latest solo release, Sinister Grift, includes contributions from Animal Collective bandmate Deakin, who will also open the show. And with Avey Tare now a local, don’t be surprised if as much as three-quarters of the group end up sharing the stage. —Jonny Leather

w/ Deakin
at The Orange Peel
Tuesday, Sept. 16
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[psych pop, neo-psychedelia]
more info

Turnstile

The Baltimore band’s evolution from hardcore punk roots to more melodic, alternative territory has been fascinating to watch. (Case in point: Their new album, Never Enough, features several tracks that draw apt comparisons to The Police.) Even after years on the scene, the quintet hasn’t lost an ounce of its high-voltage presence, as a recent NPR Tiny Desk performance made clear. While Turnstile is the marquee headliner, Philly punks Mannequin Pussy have the chops to steal the spotlight, and both Speed and Jane Remover are strong enough to command attention on their own. —JL

w/ Mannequin Pussy + Speed + Jane Remover
at Asheville Yards
Wednesday, Sept. 17
Doors: 5pm / Show: 6pm
[hardcore, punk, indie rock]
more info

Bonny Light Horseman

What initially felt like a fun one-off collaboration between Anaïs Mitchell (Hadestown), Eric D. Johnson (Fruit Bats), and Josh Kaufman (The National; The Hold Steady) has grown into a legitimate band with three superb folk rock albums to its name. Joined by a comparably talented backing band — that sometimes includes Michael “Musical Forrest Gump” Libramento — the trio tour fairly regularly, albeit mostly stopping in big cities or at significant festivals. However, they’ve kept Asheville a staple on these circuits, first in support of Bon Iver and what, after Wednesday, will be their third headlining show in as many years. Example 387493 that we’re spoiled. —Edwin Arnaudin

w/ Angela Autumn
at The Orange Peel
Wednesday, Sept. 17
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[indie folk]
more info

Stereolab

Blending krautrock, French pop, psychedelia, bossa nova, and beyond, the avant-pop quintet led by Tim Gane and Lætitia Sadier carved out a sound that made the group one of the most compelling and enduring acts of the ’90s. After spending much of the 2010s on hiatus, they returned to the stage at the close of the decade, and earlier this year cemented their comeback with Instant Holograms on Metal Film. The group’s first album in 15 years, it makes clear the creative well hasn’t just been replenished — it’s overflowing. —JL

w/ Memorials
at The Orange Peel
Saturday, Sept. 20
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[neo-psychedelia]
more info

The Mountain Goats

A master storyteller, John Darnielle has been crafting indie folk rock gems for more than three decades. The Durham-based songwriter will release his 23rd studio album, Through This Fire Across from Peter Balkan, in November, so fans can expect a preview of its shipwrecked-crew concept songs alongside a career-spanning grab bag — always with a few surprises thrown in. —JL

at Pisgah Brewing Co.
Saturday, Sept. 20
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[indie folk, indie rock]
more info

Father John Misty

Joshua Tillman spent years struggling to make his mark as a folk singer/songwriter before adopting the moniker that would define his career. With the release of Fear Fun in 2010, he introduced a sharper, more uninhibited version of himself — equal parts clever wiseass and confessional songwriter — leaving behind the gloomier folk of his earlier work. Since then, Tillman has cemented his reputation as a brilliant lyricist with a singular perspective. Opening the night is Cut Worms, the Brooklyn-based project of Max Clarke, who’s been turning out sun-soaked retro pop-rock gems in recent years, including the new Jeff Tweedy–produced single “Evil Twin.” —JL

w/ Cut Worms
at Asheville Yards
Sunday, Sept. 21
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[indie folk, baroque pop, indie rock]
more info