ASHLEY CAPPS INTERVIEW / FREE ENGAGEMENTS GUIDE • BLANK’S BIG BIG EARS FESTIVAL GUIDE • 10 HELPFUL TIPS
By Wayne Bledsoe
Attending Big Ears can seem like an intimidating experience. After all, there are more than 100 artists, many of whom you may never have heard of, performing at venues all over downtown Knoxville over the course of four days and nights. On the face of it, it’s overwhelming. How can you take it all in?
Well, you can’t. Resign yourself right this moment to accept that you’re going to miss something great.
Now relax. One of the greatest joys of Big Ears is knowing that you’re going to experience several things that you will probably never forget and never knew about previously. I’ve attended every Big Ears Festival since the opening in 2009, and every year I’ve come away exhausted and exhilarated. Unlike festivals where you expect to be uncomfortable, Big Ears is held in some of the most comfortable and most acoustically wonderful venues in the region.
To kick off our 2022 coverage, here are some tips for getting the most out of Big Ears 2022. After you peep these, explore more by clicking on our interview with Big Ears founder Ashley Capps. There, you can get a look into the free programming from the weekend and then be sure to check out our complete guide, with previews of over 30 acts via our BIG Big Ears guide (links above and below).
1. If there’s an act you definitely want to see, plan to get in line early. Shows can reach capacity quickly, and you may have to opt for something else. However, if you stick around, you may get in a little later in the show. People leave to catch other performances or sometimes they realize this show just isn’t what they wanted, and seats open up. This year’s festival is officially at capacity, so you’ll need to be in line EXTRA early!
2. Don’t JUST schedule your day around the acts you want to see, also schedule it around the venues you want to visit. You’re going to miss something really special if you don’t check out some of the shows at the downtown churches and less traditional concert venues. I’ve seen some concerts that I didn’t have high hopes for that turned out to be amazing because the acoustics in the churches were so good and the artists were so inspired by the halls.
3. Get out of your comfort zone. Sure, you’re going to gravitate to the artists and music genres you’re most familiar with and like best, but there’s no place like Big Ears to try something totally new. Part of the point of Big Ears is being a musical adventurer. Choose the most off-the-beaten path thing you can find and give it a chance. Check out the Saharan guitar music of Mdou Moctar or the atmospheric rock of Efterklang and you might just find that is just what you needed in your life.
4. If you buy a one-day ticket, check out the many free shows on other days. There are free shows at Boyd’s Jig & Reel, Pilot Light, Tennessee Amphitheatre, Knoxville Visitors Center, Knoxville Museum of Art and other venues. These shows are not lesser quality just because you’re not paying for them!
5. Talk to the people around you. Your fellow Big Ears attendees may clue you in to an artist you didn’t know about, a “secret show” or a special collaboration. Besides that, it’s just fun to hear what other people are experiencing – and to share some of your favorite moments, as well.
6. Settle in. There are some Big Ears experiences that it just takes sitting back and taking it in to appreciate. At Big Ears, there’s plenty of traditional melodic music, but there’s also plenty that reveals itself slowly. Some of it sort of feels like watching a flower bloom. Then there are other offerings that feel like an aural assault. Either may take a little while to warm up to. Give it a chance. If it’s not your thing, there’s probably something just around the corner that is exactly what you’re looking for.
7. Relax, relax, relax. Like I said, you’re not going to be able to experience it all. If you’re passing by a venue and an act that you’ve never heard of is about to start, step in and absorb a little of it. If it’s not your thing, it’s never far to the next venue where there might be something you like better. Keep your ears and your mind open, and you’re bound to have a good time.
8. Big Ears films are a good palate cleanser. I’m a little disappointed that this year’s Big Ears doesn’t have more musicians performing new or improvised soundtracks to films (something that has become one of my favorite features of the festival); however, the film program this year has some gems.
I can personally recommend “Bayou Mararajah,” the story of New Orleans piano genius James Booker. While it may seem a little crazy to watch a movie about a musician when you could be watching live musicians, you may find you need a break for a couple of hours, and this is a good way to take one.
9. Enjoy our local artists. While most of the artists at Big Ears are from out of town, some are returning to East Tennessee (Yves Tumor and Ellen Reid, among them), and others still live here. Big Ears helps expose our own world-class artists to the rest of the world. If you’ve never seen them, this is a good time!
10. Don’t forget your proof of vaccination! You will need proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within the last 48 hours to pick up your Big Ears wristband. Also, while you are not required to wear masks, it is recommended, and some shows may require them for entry.
ASHLEY CAPPS INTERVIEW / FREE ENGAGEMENTS GUIDE • BLANK’S BIG BIG EARS FESTIVAL GUIDE • 10 HELPFUL TIPS
