This Week in Asheville: June 16-22
Asheville’s wealth of live music, theater, and comedy offerings can leave concertgoers feeling overwhelmed when it comes to picking which shows to attend. But have no fear! The Asheville Stages staff is here to help with insights on the week’s most appealing options.
Tobacco City
Released in March, Tobacco City’s sophomore album Horses is a warm, nostalgic spin on classic country twang — wide open and dust-kicked, with atmospheric flourishes that give it room to roam. —Jonny Leather
w/ Glyders + Hemlock
at AyurPrana Listening Room
Monday, June 16
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[alt-country, indie rock]
more info
The Antlers + Okkervil River
It was supposed to be a night of two of the best indie rock bands of the 2000s not just sharing a bill, but joining forces for part of the night to perform each other’s songs. Unfortunately, Antlers’ Peter Silberman announced the afternoon of the show that he’d lost his voice and is unable to perform. Instead, Okkervil River’s Will Sheff will play a mostly-requests solo show and will be joined by founding Okkervil member Zachary Thomas. Gifted local singer/songwriter Julie Odell has also been added to the bill as an opener. Asheville Stages recently interviewed Silberman and Sheff about their joint tour, which is still worth a read even if the specifics of tonight’s show have changed. —JL + Edwin Arnaudin
w/ Julie Odell
at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Monday, June 16
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[indie rock, indie pop]
more info
Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime
Usually, a tribute band sticks to its “as advertised” billing and exclusively plays songs by the artist(s) it’s honoring. But after 25 years of channeling Bradley Nowell & Co. on stage, this Rhode Island-based ensemble is working quality original tracks into their sets to great success. The resulting blend is intriguing and proves that homage can indeed lead to inspiration. —EA
at The Orange Peel
w/ Damn Skippy & Crooked Coast
Wednesday, June 18
Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:30pm
[rock, ska, punk, reggae, tribute band]
more info
Fred Armisen: Comedy for Musicians But Everyone is Welcome
Now a household name, this performer has had a truly fascinating career. Before his breakout in comedy, he played drums in the Chicago punk band Trenchmouth — fronted by the remarkable Damon Locks — and also did a stint as a background drummer for Blue Man Group. After an 11-year run on Saturday Night Live beginning in the early 2000s, his star rose even higher with the breakout success of Portlandia, the cult-favorite sketch series he co-created with Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein. The show seamlessly blended his deep roots in both music and comedy, and at two sold-out local shows, the former Late Night with Seth Meyers bandleader brings those talents together for a one-of-a-kind performance. —JL
at The Orange Peel
Thursday, June 19
Early Show: Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
Valley Maker
Columbia, SC’s Austin Crane hasn’t released new music since When the Day Leaves dropped back in 2021 — which, let’s be honest, feels like forever ago. That album was a gentle standout in a heavy time, and its shimmering folk-rock charm still holds up beautifully. Valley Maker bandmate Amy Godwin will pull double duty, opening the night with her somber project, Bizner, and Julie Odell rounds out the bill, continuing her suddenly busy week of big shows. —JL
w/ Bizner + Julie Odell
at AyurPrana Listening Room
Friday, June 20
Doors: 6pm / Show: 7pm
[indie rock, folk]
more info
Seth Walker
Currently based in Fairview, this veteran singer/songwriter and guitarist continues to craft some of the most soulful indie rock records around. Holding steady with Wood Brothers drummer Jano Rix as co-producer and featuring co-writes with Oliver Wood and fellow local Ed Jurdi (Band of Heathens), Walker’s 2025 LP Why the Worry feels like a warm embrace at a time when comfort and reassurance is needed most. A consummate live performer, Walker and his band returning to Asheville’s premiere listening room for a seated show is an offer too good to refuse. Learn more about Walker and Why the Worry in this recent Mountain Xpress feature.—EA
w/ 5J Barrow
at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Friday, June 20
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[indie rock, roots, soul]
more info
The Black Angels + Earthless + A Place To Bury Strangers
On their own, The Black Angels are more than enough reason to get your ass to Forestry Camp on Saturday afternoon. Carrying the torch of American psych rock first lit by their forebears, the 13th Floor Elevators, these fellow Austinites burst onto the scene with their stellar 2006 debut Passover — and they haven’t slowed down since. But the recent addition of A Place To Bury Strangers takes this show to another level entirely. The NYC noise rock legends are one of the most electrifying live acts you'll ever witness. Sure, it might feel a little strange seeing these bands in broad daylight, but between the drinks and whatever else you indulge in, time might not feel all that linear anyway. —JL
at Forestry Camp
Saturday, June 21
Doors: 1pm / Show: 2pm
[psych rock, post-punk, shoegaze]
more info
U.S. Girls
Meg Remy has never played by the rules. As the creative force behind U.S. Girls, she’s carved out a singular space — drawing from the full spectrum of pop music history while constantly evolving. For her latest move, the Toronto art-pop visionary headed to Nashville, assembling a killer band to record Scratch It. The new album, dropping just a day before her Grey Eagle show, is a stripped-down affair — with minimal overdubs — while still blurring the lines between disco, country, garage rock, and soul with Remy’s trademark flair. —JL
w/ Faun Fables
at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Saturday, June 21
Doors: 8pm / Show: 9pm
[art pop, indie pop]
more info
Florry
The Philly septet is part of the current wave of alt-country bands with ties to Asheville. The band's excellent new album, Sounds Like…, was recorded at Drop of Sun Studios with local singer/songwriter (and MJ Lenderman drummer) Colin Miller. Speaking of local alt-country, Tombstone Poetry opens the show. The band’s incredible 2024 release, How Could I Be So In Debt? Deserves to be heard by a wider audience. —JL
w/ Tombstone Poetry
at Grey Eagle Music Hall
Sunday, June 22
Doors: 7pm / Show: 8pm
[alt-country, indie rock]
more info
Fortune Feimster
In recent years, this Charlotte native has seen her star rise fast — and deservingly so. She’s not just one of the funniest comics working today, but also one of the most effortlessly likeable. —JL
at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Sunday, June 22
Doors: 6:30pm / Show: 7:30pm
[comedy]
more info
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Coconut Cake (Photo by Justin Bowman)
🎤 = comedy; 🎭 = theater
June 16: The Aquabats! + The Koffin Kats + Mike V & the Rats at The Orange Peel
June 17: Drain + Scowl + Koyo at Eulogy
June 17: The Arcadian Wild at Grey Eagle Music Hall
June 17: The Coyotes + Plant + East Ritual at Pulp
June 17: Edging + Bushfire + Ton of a Bitch + On the Block at Static Age Records
June 18: Rivers of Nihil + Holy Fawn + Inter Arma at Eulogy
June 18: Mercy in the Mountains: A Blues and Soul Celebration benefiting Habitat for Humanity and LEAF Global Arts at Grey Eagle Music Hall
June 18: Leo Crafft + Dusty Buckets + 81 Drifters at Static Age Records
June 19: Sleep Number + Cerulean Moth + Superflower + Forest Floor (DJ sets) at Eulogy
June 19: Mean Green + Crop + Pink No Pink + Red Beard Wall at Fleetwood's
June 19: THE MOTH Presents: Asheville StorySLAM – “HOSPITALITY” at Grey Eagle Music Hall 🎤
June 19: Powder Horns + Slow Funeral + Honey Knife at Static Age Records
June 19: The Last Wide Open at NC Stage Co. 🎭
June 20: Magenta Sunshine at Asheville Music Hall
June 20: Levitation Room + Coconut Cake + Impending Joy at Eulogy
June 20: Bad Guru + The Discs + The White Horse + Lucky Flip at Fleetwood's
June 20: Eeland Stribling at Ginger's Revenge 🎤
June 20: The Get Right Band at Highland Brewing - The Meadow
June 20: Small Doses + Blankstate + Good Good Grief + Bad Fidelity at The Odd
June 20: Blind Date Live at The Orange Peel 🎤
June 20: Downtown After 5: Southern Avenue + DJ Phantom Pantone at Pack Square Park
June 20: Papadosio’s SUMMER SEQUENCE :: 2025 at Pisgah Brewing
June 20: We Have Ignition + Jesus Casino + Starseer at Static Age Records
June 20: The Last Wide Open at NC Stage Co. 🎭
June 21: Lower Peaks + The Blinds + Keeper of the Brink at Fleetwood's
June 21: Gluten-Free Comedy at Ginger's Revenge 🎤
June 21: Helene Recovery Benefit Concert at The Odd
June 21: Papadosio’s SUMMER SEQUENCE :: 2025 at Pisgah Brewing
June 21: Same As It Ever Was at Third Room
June 21: Producing Laughter: Local Stand-Up Comedy Showcase at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts 🎤
June 21: The Last Wide Open at NC Stage Co. 🎭
June 22: Gyasi at Asheville Music Hall
June 22: The Last Wide Open at NC Stage Co. 🎭
For full events listings check out AVL-Live.com
