Practical recommendations from BLANK’s resident soothsayer
Big Ears founder Ashley Capps interview • Madame Weezy’s Big Ears Horoscopes • Previews
As another glorious and impossibly hip Big Ears weekend converges upon our normally cozy and reserved Appalachian home, I am here to dispense knowledge gleaned from navigating the cosmos – and this month’s forecast is shaped specifically by the stars who will be congregating in Knoxville over the long weekend!
Aquarius: I mean, this is an obvious one, right? These folks like to tinker, to experiment, to learn … and really couldn’t care less about what anyone has to say about what they create. If others are into it, great. If not, well, that’s not their problem. André 3000, half of pioneering Southern hip-hop duo Outkast, has always had a flavor all of his own. Funky, eccentric and wholly original, the artist had to seek out a completely different challenge for himself after mastering the rap game. What would be the most logical next step? Why, flute of course! Anyone expecting to hear “Hey Ya” or any classic rap tracks are gonna be sorely disappointed, but the more open-minded and cerebral Aquarians are gonna have a blast hearing the funkiest pied-piper this side of Stankonia.
Pisces: These are the most easygoing and somewhat bashful people around. They’re also born musicians, so they are gonna find something to enjoy about whatever show into which they stride. Their highlight, though, will be the act exuding the most chill of vibes and one completely void of pretension – a bit taller of an order to fill at an avant-garde festival folks often describe as “difficult.”
Kurt Vile & The Violators never disappoint. Effortlessly cool, Vile combines amazing riffage with quirky but relatable songwriting to deliver a fun evening akin to relaxing with some pals over a few drinks … or other more herbal refreshments. This show will give fishes the opportunity to do what they do best: loosen up and enjoy the groove.
Aries: These folks are always raring to go, so they are going to be drawn to acts that are full of energy and have an edge to them. Also, since they have a steady supply of pent-up aggression just looking for an escape valve, they’ll be especially stoked if there’s a chance for a little moshing to break out. Unwound, one of the more underappreciated bands to come out of the ‘90s, is really gonna scratch that itch. Loud, frenzied and chock full of Xennial angst, they’ll provide the perfect excuse for rams attending this festival to physically express themselves in what otherwise would be a completely obnoxious and unacceptable manner. Much better that they let out their frustrations here as opposed to in the presence of an infuriating boomer couple in front of them at one of the more “sophisticated” shows.
Taurus: These folks are big fans of tradition and aren’t going to want to put in a lot of work to get something out of a performance. Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway make music that’s beautiful and interesting but also familiar, and they are one of the more accessible acts of the weekend. Though it’s highly unlikely you’re gonna see bulls dancing along (as they’re way too mature for such frivolities), they’ll surely be bemusedly tapping their feet once they’ve fought off a retiree or two to claim one of those coveted folding chairs lining the walls of the Mill & Mine.
Gemini: The twins are easily bored, so the best show for them is one in which things are constantly changing and the onstage performance is just as engaging as the music itself. Senryu, underground Knoxville legends with over two decades of creative collaboration and an expansive back catalog under their collective belts, fit the bill and will be the perfect act for keeping these fickle folks’ attentions. With awkwardly interesting songwriting and a treasure chest full of original and innovative instrumentation at their disposal, these fellas always put on the type of dynamic and energetic performance that ensnares the attention of even the flakiest of audiences.
Cancer: There’s no one more in touch with their deepest feelings than a crab, so the best show for them is one steeped in naked intimacy and emotion. Call him Will Oldham, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Palace or what may you, but the native Kentuckian’s music will make you weep, think and be grateful for the emotional release. With an extensive collection of heart-tuggers and tear-jerkers, he’ll give those who fall under this sign what they need the most: the exquisite satisfaction of a really good cry. It’s advisable to shy away from handshakes with these folks, though, because although they’re rich in feelings, they’re short on tissues, so that wet spot on their forefinger is likely something you don’t want to touch.
Leo: Lions are magnetic, what with their boisterous good cheer and their desire to entertain the widest audience possible. Acts that are universally beloved and give audiences an opportunity to participate in the art being created will make those born under this sign feel right at home. Most recognized as a late-night bandleader on TV, jazz prodigy Jon Batiste has developed a penchant for creating intricate tunes that appeal to the masses. Though his talents extend for miles beyond what most people in the mainstream have enjoyed only while fighting sleep, the piano man has grown in his ability to translate his more cerebral art into a palatable product that can make anyone – and especially a people-loving Leo – feel a sense of belonging and community.
Virgo: The most practical of our pals in the universe need a show that’s entertaining, educational and – while it may make you think – isn’t overly esoteric. Rhiannon Giddens is just the ticket, as her music is thought-provoking and full of imagery without being abstruse, and it encapsulates the full range of human experiences, from the lowest lows to the highest highs. You can hear a love song, a slave narrative and an intricate instrumental all in the same show and be completely and equally captivated by each one.
Libra: These folks go out of their way to keep the vibe as chill and copacetic as possible. They need a show that grooves at will and is as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the ears. Hip-hop mainstays Digable Planets have spent decades proving they don’t have to work at being the coolest folks around – because they just are. With poetic rhymes, funky yet rhythmic beats and an unassuming but unmistakable style, their vocal delivery unfurls like a crisp bedsheet billowing in the breezy sunshine. Nothing is jarring or off-kilter; there’s just a steady stream of the kind of sounds and movement that encourages relaxation and decompression.
Scorpio: Scorpions are drawn to the sexy and the mysterious. Though there’s arguably plenty of artists over this weekend who would fit those descriptors, it’s fair to say Egypt’s Nadah El Shazly creates sights and sounds that appeal to the primal and sensual depths of our autumn-born companions. With a deliciously seductive voice and carefully crafted arrangements, she makes it hard to keep from squirming in your seat. Drawing from a wide array of formats for expression, she delivers a complex auditory experience that’s simultaneously and equally bewildering and satisfying.
Sagittarius: This year’s festival is a big one for centuars. As lovers of hip-hop, electronic and other music that commands the body to move, there is an especially diverse selection at the 2024 iteration. Among them is billy woods and E L U C I D, the rappers who comprise one of NYC’s most prolific duos, Armand Hammer. With gut-punching rhymes and incredibly varied and unique production, these two deliver a brand of hip-hop that’s one of the freshest sounds to come out of the genre in ages. They create music that is both smart and artistic without losing an ounce of grit.
Capricorn: These folks are classic. Somewhat refined and reserved, they’ll prefer something a bit more highbrow. Though this festival thrives on experimentation and edginess, we can count on the tried-and-true Kronos Quartet to deliver a show that is technically superior, musically elegant and that exudes an air of sophistication. Even better, we know how hard it is to look distinguished while standing awkwardly in front of a stage, so they even ensure the added respectability and comfortability that only a seated venue provides.
weezy@blanknews.com
