Previewing Knoxville artists performing at festival Aug. 27-28
Promoting local music has long been a cornerstone of BLANK Newspaper, from our robust, year-round coverage of local music and regional festivals to producing shows and events of our own. What began as BLANKFest in Market Square now is Second Bell, which returns for its third iteration this weekend at Suttree Landing Park, located on the banks of the Tennessee River just across from downtown in South Knoxville.
Featuring killer touring artists like Houndmouth and SUSTO, an enhanced comedy lineup and stretching from one to two days for the first time, this year’s edition promises to be a doozy. A host of some of Knoxville’s most prominent and prolific local talent will provide a solid foundation for this year’s fest. The following is a brief rundown of some of the amazing Knoxville folks making music for us – and you – this year.
Kelsi Walker hit it big in the regional scene with her 2018 full-length debut, “Nervous Kid.” Since then, Walker has continued to burn up local stages with her all-star band of Logan Norris, Joey Jennings, Jasmine Hoisington and Haley Labelle, many of whom are becoming distinguished session players and singer-songwriters in their own rights. “It’s fun because it’s just like, my buddies,” Walker says. “I feel really lucky that they take the time.”
Walker will be a part of the Dolly Parton tribute shows rocking the new Outpost location on Sept. 17 and will host a release show for a live record at Pretentious Beer Co. in the Old City on Oct. 9. Walker’s music is on all major streaming distribution outlets, and festivalgoers can see her kick off Second Bell at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 27.
Josh Smith has been busy touring behind his Rev. J. Mikhael Smith and the Brimstone Miracle record from last year, which has been steadily working its way up the Americana charts, but he is thrilled to bring his longtime Southern-inflected indie-rock group Handsome and the Humbles back to the stage at Second Bell this year. “I’m pumped!” Smith exclaims. “Everybody in the band is real excited to play.”
Smith credits a lot of the local scene’s growth over the last decade and a half to BLANK’s influence and support of local artists. “BLANK lifts up local things, and it is positive and good. I’m grateful for BLANK.” You can catch Handsome and the Humbles begin the proceedings on Saturday at 3 p.m., and you can listen to Smith’s music on your favorite streaming platform.
Also included in this year’s stacked local lineup are Thrift Store Cowboys, Daniel Fluitt and Kris “Tugboat” Killingsworth’s alt-country rock group that originally called Lubbock, Texas, home, but which since has established strong roots in Knoxville. The band’s set for Second Bell will feature longtime friend and collaborator Daniel Markham, another excellent Texas musician who briefly lived in town (and played an impressive solo set at Second Bell in 2019). Check them out at 3:50 on Saturday afternoon.
Finally, the Good Guy Collective, a cadre of hip-hop heavy hitters, will deliver its erudite yet accessible message of positivity and love over beats upon beats Saturday evening at 5:35. Members Lane Shuler and Jarius Bush both have released amazing solo efforts in recent months, and the GGC always puts on a high-energy, engaging show.
Tickets are still available for Second Bell, but act fast before you get there, as prices increase at the gate. You can purchase weekend or daily passes via Freshtix. We hope to see you there!
