AVL Sounds Fest 2026: Day 3
Day & Dream (Photo by Micah Rogers)
3:30pm @ One World West — Day & Dream
Peter Frizzante and Abby Amaya brought their playful, dreamy pop creations to One World West for a delightful afternoon farewell show. After 13 years of calling Asheville home, the duo is moving on, but we’re hoping they’ll return early and often. —Micah Rogers
Resonant Rogues (Photo by John Simmonds)
5pm @ Funkatorium — Resonant Rogues
Random Animals (Photo by Micah Rogers)
5pm @ The Grey Eagle — Random Animals
The indie-soul quartet delivered a lively set at the Grey Eagle on Saturday, pairing sharp guitar work with infectious grooves and seemingly boundless energy. A tight, spirited performance from a band that clearly knows how to keep a room moving. —MR
The John Keck Band (Photo by Rey Castillo)
5pm @ Highland Brewing — The John Keck Band
Tallboys AVL (Photo by Rey Castillo)
6:30pm @ Barley’s — Tallboys AVL
Magenta Sunshine (Photo by Rey Castillo)
6:30pm @ Eulogy — Magenta Sunshine
Doc Aquatic (Photo by John Simmonds)
6:30pm @ The Grey Eagle — Doc Aquatic
These OGs of Asheville alternative rock blended ‘90s grunge and shoegaze pop with just the right amount of psychedelic distortion, sounding as good as ever. A highlight was a new song that frontman J.C. Hayes described as “about Eastern North Carolina and Shakespeare all at once.” —Jake Frankel
Tyler Ramsey and Carl Broemel (Photo by Micah Rogers)
6:30pm @ The Orange Peel — Tyler Ramsey and Carl Broemel
The dynamic guitar super-duo was in top form for the first of their two AVL Sounds Fest performances. Songs from this year’s impressive Celestun album were seamlessly woven together with selections from each artist’s solo career, along with a few fun covers. If you missed Saturday’s set, do yourself a favor and catch their Sunday performance at Hellbender. —MR
Tyler Ramsey and Carl Broemel (Photo by Rey Castillo)
The Get Right Band (Photo by John Simmonds)
8pm @ Asheville Music Hall — The Get Right Band
The room was absolutely packed for this beloved local band, and the musicians clearly fed off the crowd’s energy, moving between deep reggae-rock grooves and psychedelic guitar explorations. Local songstress Eleanor Underhill joined frontman Silas Durocher for some sweet harmonies. —JF
JD Pinkus & Tall Tall Trees (Photo by Rey Castillo)
8pm @ The Orange Peel — JD Pinkus & Tall Tall Trees
Hope Griffin (Photo by Rey Castillo)
9:30pm @ Barley’s— Hope Griffin
Ashley Heath & Her Heathens (Photo by Rey Castillo)
9:30pm @ Funkatorium — Ashley Heath & Her Heathens
River Whyless (Photo by John Simmonds)
9:30pm @ The Orange Peel — River Whyless
It’s been fun to watch this local band evolve over the years as it has grown beyond its folk roots into something more distinctive and harder to describe. Heartfelt lyrics kept things grounded, while an array of effects pedals helped the guitar and fiddle melodies venture into more abstract sonic territory. —JF
River Whyless (Photo by Rey Castillo)
10pm @ Asheville Music Hall — C.Shreve the Professor's Hip-Hop Showcase
Stopping by this late night showcase, C.Shreve “the Professor” and friends were slaying, but the room was sparsely attended. —JF
11pm @ Eulogy — Phantom Overdrive
This DJ / Producer unleashed a ferocious storm of dubstep, drum and bass, and trap. Unfortunately it was a missed opportunity for a killer late-night dance party, as the room was mostly empty. Hopefully in the years ahead more people will come out for these kinds of shows that break the mold of the festival’s lineup, which leans heavily toward roots and rock acts. —JF
11:15pm @ The Grey Eagle — DD Toy Leaman Trio
Dr. Dog co-frontman Toby Leaman delivered a charming late-night dance party of indie rock and heartfelt soul. —JF
(River Whyless photo by Rey Castillo)
