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LAST CALL!
BIG EARS 2026 OPENS IN 3 DAYS

Josh Smith | Artist Edition

New York-based painter Josh Smith — whose work spans collage, sculpture, printmaking, and artist’s books — created an original work exclusively for Big Ears 2026. Known for upending the conventions of painting while commanding a deep awareness of its history, Smith brings his signature spirit of experimentation and refinement to the festival. His design is available as a limited edition poster and on select festival merchandise, and makes for a singular memento of this year’s festival.

WDVX & Big Ears Present

Bloodshot Bill & YAGÓDY

Thu 12:00p / Barley’s

Pan American & Wu Fei

Fri 12:00p / Barley’s

We're proud to partner with East Tennessee's own WDVX — Knoxville's listener-supported community radio station and home of the beloved Blue Plate Special, a free live performance tradition spanning blues to bluegrass, country to Celtic, folk to funk, and far beyond. For the festival weekend, Big Ears joins WDVX for special editions of the show at Barley's Taproom & Pizzeria: on Thursday, March 26 at Noon, Bloodshot Bill & YAGÓDY take the stage, followed by Pan American & Wu Fei on Friday, March 27 at Noon. Free and open to the public, anyone can stop by, grab a bite and a brew, and enjoy the show!

More Conversations & Panels

The conversations and panels program is as rich as any in the festival's history. Across four days, conversations and panels dig deep into craft, community, and the state of music today. The full schedule can be found on our website and app.

Fight With Music

A Conversation Between Marc Ribot & Grayson Haver Currin

Sat 11:00a / PostModern Sound Exchange

One of our all-time favorite and most fearless musicians goes head-to-head with one of our favorite and most fearless writers. From his reams of radical bands like Ceramic Dog, Shrek, and Los Cubanos Postizos to his long-running collaborations with Tom Waits, John Zorn, and so many others, Marc Ribot has always brought a radical edge to his guitar playing. He is now a tireless activist, too, organizing on behalf of indie musicians seeking fair payments and representation in the digital age. Ribot speaks with music journalist Grayson Haver Currin about all facets of his career and the connections between them. Expect things to be said that others want to say and should say but don’t.  And...what exactly is Grayson munching on in that photo?

Sustaining Independent Labels

Hosted by Liz Pelly with Scottie McNiece, Jake Saunders, Adam Downey, Amelia Meath & Yulun Wang

Sun 10:30a / PostModern Sound Exchange

It seems like every week there is a new grim headline about the fate of independent music: legacy labels and publishers being sold off to the majors, rights organizations signing away catalogs as training data for AI companies. Less often do we see headlines about what exactly is going right for independent music, which is what we’ll cover here. What is working for independent record labels in 2026? In this conversation, label reps from International Anthem, Joyful Noise, Northern Spy and more will share what actually sustains their operations, and best practices for supporting independent artists and labels today.

What Is Deep Taste?

Hosted by Jeremy D. Larson with William Tyler, Lucrecia Dalt & Grayson Haver Currin

Sun 12:00p / PostModern Sound Exchange

Taste shapes identity, memory, and belonging. Pitchfork’s deputy director Jeremy D. Larson leads a conversation reimagining taste as a deeper understanding of the self, the body, and the senses. Inspired by Pauline Oliveros’ “Deep Listening,” “Deep Taste” blends neuroscience and music criticism as a counterpoint to the flattening effects of A.I. and streaming. It asks why we love what we love, and how that awareness can strengthen connection and community.  Good taste is knowing yourself. Great taste is knowing one another.

A Love Supreme:

Music & Spiritual Expression

Hosted by Ayana Contreras with Saraswathi Ranganathan, Isaiah Collier & Laraaji

Fri 12:00p / PostModern Sound Exchange

2026 marks the 100th anniversary of John Coltrane's birth. But the patron saint of the St. John William Coltrane African Orthodox Church church in San Francisco is far from the only musician that has spun deep spirituality into their artistic practice. In this conversation, author, DJ and archivist Ayana Contreras sits down with Laaraji, Isaiah Collier and Sara Ranganathan to discuss the role of spirituality in their creative process. They'll also discuss how music can open doors to deeper spiritual connection, builds community and sparks meaningful engagement in these divisive times.

Curious Listening in the Streaming Era

Hosted by Liz Pelly & John Schaefer with Patrick Shiroishi, Bob Holmes & Yasmin Williams
Sat 12:30p / PostModern Sound Exchange

Contemporary digital listening platforms have been criticized for encouraging homogenous listening and incentivizing one-note background-friendly sounds. How, then, are independent and grassroots music communities preserving a spirit of active, engaged listening against the logics of these paradigms? This conversation explores how artists, organizers and programmers are cultivating curious listening in the streaming era. We’ll establish some of the problems presented by today’s streaming status quo, but ultimately look at bright spots in digital listening and music sharing today: the community radio stations, listening clubs, streaming alternatives, and digital experiments creating context that brings listeners closer to culture online and IRL.  

We Jazz Presents

Fri 3:00p / PostModern Sound Exchange

Helsinki-based We Jazz Records brings their celebrated quarterly journal, We Jazz Magazine, to the Big Ears  for a special pop-up celebrating the launch of a new issue. A labor of love in every sense, each issue is dedicated to a single artist, with a bespoke cover illustration and a worldwide network of contributors including Ashley Kahn, Peter Margasak, and Mats Gustafsson. This issue features Big Ears artist Shabaka on the cover, alongside a photo essay spanning the history of the festival itself. Swing by PostModern Sound Exchange to grab a copy and stay for a pop up event featuring conversation and performance.