Omar Khalid's Big Ears 2016 must-see performances and films
CL music scribe and long time Big Ears attendee calls out his top picks for this weekend's musical pilgrimage to Knoxville, Tenn.
The annual cultural extravaganza known as the Big Ears Festival returns to Knoxville, Tenn. this weekend (Thurs., March 31 through Sun., April 3). Here are some highlights from 2016's long list of music, films, sound installations, and spoken word events happening throughout the weekend.
Thursday March 31, 2016
======— Knoxville Symphony Orchestra with Steven Schick (7 p.m., Tennessee Theatre): Orchestra performs John Luther Adams’ Become Ocean, Bryce Dessner’s Lachrimae, and Phillip Glass’ Naqoyqatsi (featuring cellist Maya Beiser).
— Chatoyant (8 p.m., The Standard): Freshly added to the schedule, this Detroit quartet + Wolf Eyes’ James Baljo busts out a maelstrom of post-punk free jazz fury.
— Knoxville: A Secret History (with Jack Neely) (8:30 p.m., Boyd’s Jig & Reel): Local author/ historian shares tantalizing stories on the host city’s past. Part of the Knoxville Obscura series.
Photo credit: Photo by Chris White
— Yo La Tengo (11:30 p.m., The Mill & Mine): Eclectic NJ group dabbles in different genres of music, but is always a treat live. They should be a great way to wrap up opening night.
Friday April 1, 2016
======— Zeena Parkins & Tony Buck (2 p.m., The Mill & Mine): Experimental harpist and inventive drummer from the Necks should make interesting music together in this rare pairing.
— Anthony Braxton 10+1tet (4 p.m., The Bijou Theatre): Braxton’s aggressive, yet complex saxophone style works well with this unrelenting group of musicians. Mouths will hit the floor.
— Goose Island Beer and BBQ Party/ Boogarins (5 p.m., The Standard): Patio party with free food provided by Knoxville’s Sweet P’s BBQ, followed by Brazilian psych-pop outfit Boogarins.
— Vijay Iyer & Wadada Leo Smith (8:30 p.m., The Bijou Theatre): Finally a chance to see two of the most intuitive jazz improvisers together!
— Bombino (10:30 p.m., The Mill & Mine): Nigerian guitarist brings upbeat folk music to the old town’s newest venue.
Saturday April 2, 2016
======— Heart of a Dog followed by Q&A with Laurie Anderson (11 a.m., Tennessee Theatre): Anderson’s moving film has been getting universal praise and is presented here for free.
— An Evening with Laurie Anderson and Phillip Glass (3:30 p.m., Tennessee Theatre): Two legends of the avant-garde collaborate for a program that will be a North American premiere.
— The Necks (5 p.m., The Bijou Theatre): Hypnotic improvising jazz trio whose members are all also playing solo or in duos throughout the festival. See CL’s December review of their recent recording, Vertigo.
— Sunn 0))) (9 p.m., Tennessee Theatre): The droning black metal outfit is worth checking out for vocalist Attila Csihar’s mesmerizing throat singing alone.
Photo credit: Photo by David A. Smith/DSmithScenes
Sunday April 3, 2016
======— Sex and Broadcasting (10 a.m., Regal Riviera Theater): Documentary captures the exploits of one of the world’s greatest freeform radio stations, WFMU.
— John Luther Adams’ Inuksuit (12 p.m., Ijams Nature Preserve): The festival finale is a must see before leaving town. An unknown, but sizable amount of percussionists will be roaming the quarry area of a nearby park performing Adams’ expansive piece.
Big Ears Festival takes place in Knoxville, Tenn. at various venues from March 31-April 3. Download the Big Ears app for updates, schedules, maps, and a festival playlist.