Music Library Thematic Displays: Big Ears Festival

Big Ears Festival, founded in 2009, has become one of the premier music festivals in the United States.  It’s known for its eclectic blend of genres, where classical music, experimental sounds, jazz, indie rock, and electronic beats collide. The festival’s purpose is to celebrate avant-garde music and foster an appreciation for diverse musical forms. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, Big Ears is a multi-venue festival that takes over the city's theaters, churches, and other unique spaces.

A key feature of Big Ears is its focus on collaboration, often bringing together artists from different disciplines (musicians, visual artists, dancers, etc.) to create truly unique, immersive performances. Over the years, the festival has featured groundbreaking artists like Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, St. Vincent, and The National, as well as emerging acts pushing the boundaries of sound and performance.

Over the years, the Big Ears Festival has hosted an incredible range of artists, spanning genres from classical and jazz to folk and experimental music. Among the many unforgettable performances, Philip Glass headlined in 2009, followed by visionary artist Lonnie Holley in 2014 and folk powerhouse Rhiannon Giddens in 2015. Jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington took the stage in 2016, while guzheng virtuoso Wu Fei performed in 2017. Anoushka Shankar brought her sitar mastery to the festival in 2018, and progressive bluegrass group The Punch Brothers played in 2019. After a pandemic pause, Shabaka Hutchings collaborated with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra in 2022, followed by music legend David Byrne in 2023. Most recently, Henry Threadgill’s Zooid continued the festival’s tradition of bold and genre-defying performances in 2024.

This year’s Big Ears Festival features an incredible lineup spanning genres and styles. ANOHNI and the Johnsons bring their emotive mix of art pop and chamber music, while Waxahatchee delivers introspective indie folk. Rufus Wainwright blends pop and opera, and Yo La Tengo fills the stage with expansive indie rock. Irish folk innovators Lankum and jazz visionary Esperanza Spalding add even more depth to the lineup. And this is just a glimpse—there’s so much more to experience at Big Ears 2024!

Knoxville’s culture plays a significant role in shaping the Big Ears Festival, influencing its artistic vision, community engagement, and overall atmosphere. As a city with deep Appalachian roots, a strong university presence, and a growing arts scene, Knoxville provides a unique backdrop for a festival that thrives on musical exploration and boundary-pushing performances. The city’s blend of traditional Southern heritage and modern artistic ambition creates an environment where experimental music and unconventional performances can flourish.