Venues
Big Ears Hub, powered by Toyota Knoxville
Throughout the festival weekend, the 5th floor of the Woodruff Building will be a hub of interaction and exchanges. This will be the headquarters for the Bob Moog Foundation’s interactive MoogLab and the location of artist lectures. You can find the festival’s information booth and lost and found here and purchase tickets and merchandise. The Hub will be open Friday and Saturday from 10AM-10PM and Sunday from 12-4PM.
Tennessee Theatre
The Tennessee Theatre first opened its doors in 1928 and was hailed as “the South’s most beautiful theatre.” Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1600 seat Tennessee Theatre underwent a $25 million dollar renovation beginning in 2003 and re-opened in January 2005 as a world-class performing arts center. The opulent interior was restored to its original grandeur, backstage and dressing areas were greatly improved, the stage was expanded, and state-of-the-art technical equipment was installed. These days the theatre hosts everything from classic movies to classical music, Broadway shows, theatre, dance, and kick-ass rock shows. Just this past year, the theatre was host to over 100 events, including Willie Nelson, Bill Cosby, Wilco, Heart, Pilobolus Dance Theatre, David Sedaris, David Byrne, The Black Crowes, and many, many more.
Bijou Theatre
The Bijou Theatre is one of East Tennessee’s oldest and most revered performance venues. The Bijou opened on March 8, 1909, as part of the Lamar House hotel, one of the oldest buildings in Knoxville. Through the years, vaudeville, opera, comedy and of course, music of all kinds has been performed on the Bijou stage. Most recently, the Bijou has hosted artists from every conceivable genre including Joan Baez, The Ramones, Richard Thompson, Tony Bennett, Sonic Youth, Wynton Marsalis, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Dizzy Gillespie, John Zorn’s Masada, Toots and the Maytals, comedian Jim Gaffigan, Jon Hassell, and Philip Glass, just to name a few. Known for outstanding acoustics, the Bijou is an exceptional venue for live music. Performers and music fans alike consider the Bijou one of the best-sounding venues in the country, and with a capacity of just over 700, every seat in the house offers excellent sightlines to accompany the aural excellence.
Knoxville Museum of Art
The Knoxville Museum of Art is what you think it is, and more. Sure, there’s art – sculpture and paintings and regional and national exhibits of the world-class variety, but the KMA also plays host to music on a weekly basis. The Great Hall is just that, a large contemporary space where many of last year’s Big Ears artists – The Necks with Ned Rothenberg, Sxip Shirey, Matmos, Pauline Oliveros, and others held sway over a jubilant crowd. The KMA provides opportunities for learning and personal growth, and serves as a community gathering and celebration place. The landmark facility was designed by renowned architect Edward Larrabee Barnes and opened in 1990. It is located at World’s Fair Park in downtown Knoxville. A variety of Big Ears events at the KMA are free, made possible by Regal Entertainment Group.
Photo: Caleb Wilson
Pilot Light
The Pilot Light is Knoxville’s home for experimental and independent music, film, and live performance. For nearly ten years, the club has played host to over 2000 different local, national, and international bands – many of them multiple times. It’s an all-volunteer operation, with a bar and single room just large enough to accommodate the fervent souls who come with open ears and hearts, hungry for authentic music of all stripes. Luminescent Orchestrii, Lucero, Matt Urmy, Shaking Ray Levis, Damo Suzuki, Josephine Foster, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Jack Rose, Baby Dee, and the Dirty Projectors are but a few who have graced the stage. The premier club to discover a new favorite band, located in the Old City, just two blocks from downtown.
Square Room
The Square Room is Knoxville’s very own listening room – warm and welcoming with dark wood floors, high ceilings exposing support beams and an intimate stage showcasing international, national, and regional touring acts of multiple genres of music. Housed in the rear of the 4 Market Square Building along with its counterpart Café 4, a full-service restaurant and coffee bar, the Square Room offers a live music experience that combines an intimate setting, top-of-the-line sound, lighting & video equipment, and flexible seating options.
Big Ears Annex
The Big Ears Annex located at 125 E. Jackson Ave. in the historic Old City District serves as a venue for the Big Ears festival.
These are five of the main venues for Big Ears 2010 and are all located within a few blocks of each other – an easy walk. Other downtown clubs, lofts, galleries, and venues will also be used for performances, as well as artist discussions and workshops.
Additional venues along with schedules, show times and ticketing information will be announced during the coming weeks, so check back for updates.
