Big Ears, one of the most highly regarded weekends in music, announced the first wave of programs scheduled for their celebration in Knoxville, Tenn., on March 30 through April 2, 2023. The kaleidoscopic multi-genre, multi-generational bash will mark 10 years since Knoxville began the push to be a true hub of American music that furthers the cultural landscape; last year, following their return after the COVID-19 Pandemic Big Ears welcomed more than 150 concerts and expanded its offerings to include parades, street parades and free events.

This year they’ll welcome jazz legends, including Charles Lloyd, Christian McBride, and William Parker, along with banjo icon Béla Fleck, the iconic chanteuse Rickie Lee Jones, and rock legends Los Lobos, who will share the lineup with alt-folk icons like Andrew Bird, Iron & Wine, The Mountain Goats, Devendra Banhart, Bonny Light Horseman, Kevin Morby, Son Lux, The Weather Station, and more. 2023 will also welcome Pino Palladino,  Blake Mills, Sam Gendel, Joshua Roman, Tessa Lark,  Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, Shahzad Ismaily, and many more.

“The spirit of Big Ears – its heart and soul – is deeply rooted in the essential role of art and culture in developing a strong community,” said founder and Executive Director Ashley Capps in a press release. “We are here to celebrate the creative spirit – to find inspiration in tradition while embracing change and innovation. We are continually inventing and reinventing ourselves year after year with a steadily expanding audience that shares that ideal, that spirit and vision.”

Other highlights include the premiere of Bill Frisell and his trio with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra with arrangements by Michael Gibbs, special concerts by composers Éliane Radigue and Annea Lockwood, and more.

Full festival weekend passes will go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 9 a.m. EST. Find tickets and learn more here.