KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Organizers of the Big Ears Festival have released the lineup for the festival’s 14th year, bringing another eclectic mix of internationally acclaimed musicians, composers and performers to downtown Knoxville.
The acclaimed arts and music festival will return April 1-4, 2027, featuring more than 250 concerts, performances, film screenings and special events throughout downtown venues.
Festival organizers announced Monday that the 2027 lineup will include some of the most recognizable names in contemporary music, with headlining performers including Jeff Tweedy, Courtney Barnett, Robert Glasper, Natalie Merchant, Brad Mehldau, Weyes Blood, Thundercat, Sylvan Esso and Academy Award-winning Argentine composer Gustavo Santaolalla.
Several high-profile performances will be offered as separately ticketed reserved-seat events. Those shows include appearances by Norah Jones, Nathaniel Rateliff, and a special collaboration featuring Gillian Welch and David Rawlings performing the Grateful Dead-inspired program “Acoustic Reckoning.”
One of the festival’s most anticipated collaborations will bring together acclaimed cellist Maya Beiser, composer and multi-instrumentalist Evan Ziporyn, and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for a symphonic reinterpretation of David Bowie’s final album, “Blackstar.”
Organizers also announced several artist residencies and special programming events throughout the weekend. Among them is a celebration marking the 40th anniversary of the influential contemporary music ensemble Bang On A Can All-Stars.
Guitar virtuoso Bill Frisell will also be featured in a multi-concert residency, while the festival’s popular Indian classical music series, Ragamala, is set to expand into a 12-hour musical experience.
Big Ears has become one of Knoxville’s signature cultural events, attracting visitors from around the world and generating significant economic activity for the city. The festival is known for blending genres ranging from jazz, rock and classical music to folk, electronic, world music and avant-garde performance art.
General festival passes will go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 9 a.m. Festival donors and previous pass holders will have access to an advance pre-sale.
A full lineup and ticket information are available through the festival’s website https://bigearsfestival.org/.
The 2027 event is expected to continue Big Ears’ tradition of bringing groundbreaking artists and unique collaborations to East Tennessee while transforming downtown Knoxville into one of the nation’s leading destinations for music and arts enthusiasts.
