Together once again: WNC festivals, events slowly return to normalcy

It’s been just about three years since the Cold Mountain Music Festival took place in a large field within earshot of the picturesque Lake Logan. And, for Jeff Whitworth, although the long road back to the stage has been arduous, he’s starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

A few stars apart: Lukas Nelson to headline Bear Shadow festival

At age 33, singer-songwriter Lukas Nelson is already building a sturdy, bountiful existence as a beloved troubadour, one whose onstage presence radiates genuine calmness, talent and inclusivity — a similar ethos and aura of solidarity established decades ago by his father, the universal musical institution that is Willie Nelson (who turns 89 this Friday). 

The Slow Rush

Tame Impala (Kevin Parker’s one-man-band) released his latest album “The Slow Rush,” a psychedelic indie rock album that transcends musical boundaries in 2020.

Flirtin’ with disaster: Upcoming Haywood rock festival sparks controversy

Musicians, promoters and supposed sponsors are all upset about the marketing associated with an upcoming performance at the Smoky Mountain Event Center in Waynesville on July 30.

Welcome Back Mitski

By Daley Hooten • Rumlbe Contributor | It’s Feb. 17, around 5 p.m., and the line starting from the entrance of the Orange Peel music venue in Asheville has already stretched to the end of the block. It’s cold, windy, and raining, but that doesnt stop the dedicated (and very fashionable) fans of singer songwriter Mitski

This must be the place: I got love that ain’t gonna change, I got love that won’t fade away

It was right around the third drink of the evening when I had the sneaking suspicion an existential crisis was going to rear its head before the night was through. 

Black Violin at Bardo Arts Center

Tickets are now on sale for Black Violin, presented by the Bardo Arts Center Performance Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 7:30PM.  

It will if we let it: MC Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger

In a modern world of meaningless priorities, constant distraction, finger pointing and incessant white noise, Hiss Golden Messenger remains a safe haven for those looking to peel back the layers of heaviness we all seem to be carrying around these days. 

This must be the place: Ode to Billy Strings, ode to breaking down musical barriers

Standing in a sea of thousands of music freaks at the Asheville Civic Center (aka: Harrah’s Cherokee Center) on Sunday evening, it was surreal — more so poignant — to absorb the sights and sounds of Billy Strings on Halloween night. 

Now it’s me who owns the night: Blackouts, Driftwood to play Water’n Hole

In an effort to bust out of her Virginia hometown and head for the bright lights of Nashville, rising singer-songwriter Karly Driftwood put down her guitar and reached for the stripper pole — eventually gathering up enough dollar bills to fill the gas tank, the hood of the car soon aimed for Music City. 

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.