(Knoxville, TN) — The Big Ears Festival—the world-renowned, boundary-defying celebration of music and art—returns March 26 – 29, 2026, transforming historic downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, into a dynamic, multi-dimensional, international cultural experience with over 250 concerts, films, artist conversations, workshops, exhibitions, and interactive experiences.
Big Ears comes to life in Knoxville’s historic theaters, churches, museums and galleries, rock clubs, converted train stations, and warehouses, and on the sidewalks and streets that link them all.
The 2026 festival features an astonishing sweep of artistry and genre. Two legends bring their world tours to the festival: David Byrne will present two performances of Who Is The Sky?; and Robert Plantwill present Saving Grace, a new project that ventures well beyond the familiar chapters of his legendary career. Both will be featured in separately ticketed concerts with reserved seating and early access and preferred pricing for festival passholders.
At the center of this year’s program, John Zorn presents twelve works (all new to the festival), including Love Songs featuring Petra Haden; Awakening Ground with John Medeski and Dave Lombardo; work written for and performed by world-renowned soprano Barbara Hannigan; a duo with long-time friend and collaborator Laurie Anderson; Incerto with Julian Lage, Brian Marsella, Jorge Roeder, and Ches Smith; and a rare reunion of the original Masada Quartet; among others. Additionally, Laurie Anderson returns with underground New York City veterans Sexmob to present X2, a new follow-up to Let X=X, performed at Big Ears 2024.
Across the lineup, Flying Lotus pushes electronic music into new dimensions; Pat Metheny’s Side-Eye III+ showcases the guitarist’s restless reinvention; Cécile McLorin Salvant continues to expand the art of vocal music; and artists like Chucho Valdés Royal Quartet, John Scofield Trio, Marc Ribot, Mary Halvorson, Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few, and Patricia Brennan Septet—named Album of the Year in the DownBeat Critics Poll—anchor a multi-generational spectrum of improvisational brilliance.
Folk and song traditions are powerfully represented by Richard Thompson, Terry Allen—the maverick Texas songwriter whose raw, irreverent tales are legendary—MJ Lenderman & The Wind, S.G. Goodman, Anna Tivel, and Annahstasia.
International perspectives resound with Orchestra Baobab of Senegal, Japanese koto master Wu Feiwith Shanir Blumenkranz, Ukrainian vocal group Yagódy, and Moroccan collective Saha Gnawa. Energy radiates from across the spectrum, from the storm-swept trio Dirty Three and the propulsive experimental post-punk of Model/Actriz to the exuberance of Alan Sparhawk & Trampled By Turtles.
The 2026 festival highlights influential voices in comedy: Tim Heidecker with his Very Good Band and “America’s Funnyman” Neil Hamburger in a multimedia mix of song and stand-up, and Reggie Watts, the genre-defying former Late Late Show bandleader whose improvisatory blend of music and humor brings offbeat brilliance to the lineup.
Special programs further underscore Big Ears’ commitment to artistic adventure. Hania Rani is joined by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra for the North American premiere of Non-Fiction. Los Angeles collective Wild Up performs Julius Eastman’s Femenine and Arthur Russell’s 24 to 24. Residencies by SML and Kaoru Watanabe’s Bloodlines Interwoven will unfold across the weekend. SUSS returns with one night of its immersive Across the Horizon series, while the celebrated Either/Orchestra brings its cross-cultural, large-ensemble explorations. The Ghost Train Orchestra honors the eccentric genius of Moondog, and saxophonist and producer Josh Johnson curates a forward-looking program with Chicago Underground Duo, Cleo Reed, Deantoni Parks: Technoself, Marquis Hill’s Blacktet, Qur’an Shaheed, Twin Talk, and Will Graefe.
At Big Ears 2026, Knoxville becomes an immersive meeting ground where music’s past, present, and future converge, and where audiences and artists connect through the shared joy of deep listening and the thrill of artistic possibility.
Passes go on sale Thursday, September 11, at 9 a.m. ET, with early access for previous festival attendees beginning Wednesday, September 10, at 9 a.m. ET
