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Big Ears
This is the general information page for Big Ears. For specific events/years follow the links below.
Upcoming Festivals:
Big Ears 2023
Past Festivals:
Big Ears 2022
Big Ears 2019
Big Ears 2018
Big Ears 2017

Quick Info
Annual Springtime Festival
Ages: From 0 To 100
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Email Addresses
info@bigearsfestival.com
press@bigearsfestival.com
tickets@bigearsfestival.com
Websites
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A word from Big Ears
About Big Ears
Named for someone who is capable of discerning and perceptive listening, who has the ability to use the ears as a creative tool or who hears things many may miss, the Big Ears Festival is a weekend of world-class musical performances in beautiful historic theaters, clubs, galleries, and museums, combined with talks and discussions, interactive workshops, installations, exhibitions, film screenings, surprise collaborations and unexpected connections. It celebrates the never-ending adventure of artistic creation and exploration.
Since its 2009 debut, Big Ears has hosted many of the leading composers and performers of our time, from ground breaking classical composers like Philip Glass, Kronos Quartet, Laurie Anderson, Terry Riley, and Steve Reich along with a new generation following in their footsteps such as Nico Muhly, The Nationals Bryce Dessner, Radioheads Jonny Greenwood; ensembles such as the Bang on a Can, Ensemble Signal, The Bad Plus, So Percussion, and The Wordless Music Orchestra; leading alternative rock artists like The National, Swans, tUnE-yArDs, The xx, Joanna Newsom, St. Vincent, Vampire Weekend, and The Dirty Projectors; icons like Television, John Cale, and Silver Apples; and countless visionaries such as Pauline Oliveros, Tanya Tagaq, Jon Hassell, Antony & the Johnsons, Fennesz, Tim Hecker, Marc Ribot and My Brightest Diamond who continue to push boundaries and defy convention.
In The News!
- Big Ears 2020 initial lineup: Efterklang, MUM, Tindersticks, Damo Suzuki, more - Brooklyn Vegan Oct 08, 2019
- PHOTOS: New Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, Tiki Room, Seven Dwarfs... - wdwnt.com Aug 05, 2019
- Aural Tradition: Music and Art Commune at Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee - - ARTnews Apr 03, 2019
- Big Ears 2019 Festival kicks off in Knoxville - WATE 6 On Your Side Mar 22, 2019
- Photos: Big Ears Festival kicks off first night with diverse collection of musical performances - Sidelines Online Mar 23, 2019
- Photos: Spiritualized, Bill Frisell, Harold Budd among artists on Big Ears Festival's second day - Sidelines Online Mar 23, 2019
- Big Ears attendees come from 48 states, 22 countries. What do they think of Knoxville? - Knoxville News Sentinel Mar 23, 2019
- Here's how to see some of the biggest Big Ears artists for free - Knoxville News Sentinel Mar 21, 2019
- Musicians are fans at 2019 Big Ears Festival - WBIR.com Mar 21, 2019
- Everywhere you look, it's Big Ears. But what does the festival's name mean? - Knoxville News Sentinel Mar 22, 2019
- Preview: Big Ears Festival 2019 - Tennessee Journalist Mar 20, 2019
- Stop blowing off Big Ears! It's actually quite accessible and puts Knoxville on the map - Knoxville News Sentinel Mar 20, 2019
- Big Ears 2019: Everything you need to enjoy the festival in Knoxville this week - Knoxville News Sentinel Mar 19, 2019
- The absolute must-see performances at this year's Big Ears Festival - Knoxville News Sentinel Mar 18, 2019