Sep 2

Sep 2 This Week in Asheville: Sept. 2-8

Asheville’s wealth of live music 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.

Soul Asylum

Although the group formed in 1981, and was a vital part of the same Twin Cities scene as Hüsker Dü and The Replacements, it wasn’t until the early ’90s that Dave Pirner & Co. achieved breakout success. But boy oh boy did they blow up! In 1993, there may not have been a bigger band. Power ballad “Runaway Train” propelled the band’s sixth studio album, Grave Dancers Union (1992), to triple platinum status, and the group performed at Bill Clinton’s inauguration the same year. They never had another hit of that magnitude, but are a band very much deserving of a critical reassessment. —Jonny Leather

w/ Pinkeye
at The Orange Peel
Tuesday, Sept. 3
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[alternative rock, grunge, power pop]
more info

Sinai Vessel

For all of the recent talk about Asheville’s fertile music scene, there’s still plenty of talent under the radar. One such example is songwriter Caleb Cordes, better known as Sinai Vessel. He recently dropped his fourth album, I Sing, and it’s a stellar combination of classic DIY slacker rock and folk that at times recalls Mount Eerie, Vic Chesnutt, and Sparklehorse. His Wednesday night show at Static Age Records will be a much deserved celebration of the album’s release and will feature support from some top rate local indie acts. —JL

w/ Tombstone Poetry, Diana Superstar, Dish
at Static Age Records
Wednesday, Sept. 4
Doors: 8pm / Show: 8:30pm
[indie rock, folk, noise pop]
more info

¿Watches? / Powder Horns

This is your chance to catch two of Asheville’s most exciting bands, and few things compare to watching a bill of local acts completely annihilate a small room. The manic garage rock of duo ¿Watches? is reminiscent of the mighty Pussy Galore. —JL

w/ East Ritual
at Fleetwood’s
Sunday, Sept. 8
Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm
[garage rock, punk]
more info

Field Trip: Hopscotch Music Festival

The annual event makes the most of downtown Raleigh each September, programming eclectic lineups at two main outdoor stages (less than a 10-minute walk from each other) and a variety of more modestly-sized clubs that keep the jams going well beyond midnight. Don’t like what you’re seeing/hearing? “Hop” over to another venue — all just a few blocks from each other — and try something else. One festival pass gets you into everything

In addition to some of Asheville’s best bands, the lineup — arguably Hopscotch’s most impressive since the legendary 10th anniversary edition in 2019 — features St. Vincent, Waxahatchee, Guided By Voices, JPEGMafia, Amen Dunes, Ty Segall, Joe Pera, Mavi, Tim Heidecker, and many many many more. Plus, free Day Parties loop in other notable groups as well as sets from festival performers. —Edwin Arnaudin

at Downtown Raleigh
Thursday, Sept. 5-Saturday, Sept. 7
[something for everyone]
more info