New Big Ears Podcast with Marc Ribot

Guitar legend Marc Ribot joins us for the latest episode of Big Ears: Conversations About Music, in dialogue with guest host, cultural critic Larry Blumenfeld (Wall Street Journal, The Nation). A true original, Ribot has always gone his own way, recording over two dozen records as a leader, while appearing on an estimated 600 or so albums by others - from Tom Waits’ singular Rain Dogs to Alison Krauss & Robert Plant’s Raising Sand; plus the likes of Elvis Costello, Henry Grimes, John Zorn, Wilson Pickett, and Marianne Faithfull. Here, Marc reflects on his early experiences on the New York music scene and his singular evolution as an artist; shares thoughts about the three projects he’s bringing to Big Ears 2026, and discusses his activism, specifically the challenges facing musicians in an age of streaming and AI, and what it means to create—and organize—in ever-changing times.

Medeski, Martin, Metzger & Cline Announce Big Ears Performance

We have yet another special surprise to share with you for Big Ears 2026: keyboardist John Medeski and drummer Billy Martin of Medeski Martin & Wood, guitarist Scott Metzger of Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, and guitarist Nels Cline of Wilco and countless other projects, unite in what is certainly a “supergroup” and a rarely heard one at that. Big Ears fans will have a rare chance to catch the quartet in action on opening night, March 26, at the Mill & Mine.

Sō Percussion Celebrate Steve Reich’s 90th at Big Ears with Drumming

The year 2026 is filled with notable milestones in the world of music and one of them is certainly the 90th birthday of composer Steve Reich. We wanted to celebrate, so (no pun intended), with the mighty Sō Percussion already in town to perform their second Grammy Award-winning collaboration with Caroline Shaw, we suggested a performance of Reich’s extraordinary early masterpiece, Drumming. They’ll be augmented by surprise guest singers and instrumentalists in what is always a captivating and exhilarating musical experience.

Who is The Sky?

David Byrne’s remarkable Who Is The Sky? show has been touring the world and captivating, energizing, and inspiring everyone lucky enough to experience it. As the Guardian put it in their review from Brisbane just a few days ago, “…spectacular…hope, humanity and dancing in a superbly paced and choreographed show.”

Big Ears audiences will have two opportunities, Thursday and Friday nights, March 26 and 27, in two specially-ticketed, reserved-seat performances. Some tickets still remain. You

don’t want to miss it!

The Unexpected… AVTT/PTTN

Certainly one of the most unexpected and surprising collaborations in recent memory—an ambitious and surprising pairing that defies easy categorization.

“In nearly four decades of genre-defying work, Mike Patton has built a career on unlikely partnerships. The Faith No More frontman has collaborated with avant-garde jazz saxophonist

John Zorn, classical violinist Eyvind Kang, turntablists The X-Ecutioners, and art-world luminaries like Laurie Anderson and Björk. He’s worked alongside members of The Melvins, and Slayer. And now makes his first appearance here on Americana Highways. He arrives courtesy of the Avett Brothers, and their collaboration AVTT/PTTN offers nine songs that resist easy categorization…Patton disappears into the Avetts’ world while they disappear into his. What emerges isn’t a compromise but a genuine third thing, born from mutual dissolution. It’s a dark, uncomfortable work. It’s also some of the most honest music either artist has made.”

Big Ears audiences will have the first opportunity to experience this daring new collaboration live on Saturday, March 28 with a specially ticketed, reserved-seat performance. Preferred pricing is still available for festival passholders.