AVLFest, Asheville’s newest citywide music festival presented by Wicked Weed Brewing and Worthwhile Sounds, will debut this summer featuring Scott McMicken of Dr. Dog, Nikki Lane, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, plus over one hundred more acts. Today, organizers are proud to share a fresh batch of artists joining the inaugural lineup, which includes local and regional favorites such as Chatham County Line, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, and Rebekkah Todd alongside well-established acts like Dylan LeBlanc and Dustbowl Revival. Last month, AVLFest shared its first wave of all-local entertainment, inviting Asheville’s famed River Whyless, Toubab Krewe, Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters, Floating Action, Tyler Ramsey, and dozens more to Asheville’s stages. Standouts include the 25th anniversary reunion of The Blue Rags – the first non-bluegrass band signed to a major label out of Asheville, as well as iconic garage-rock-meets-soul outfit The Bellrays. Stay tuned for many more to be announced in the coming weeks.
Spanning over 20 indoor and outdoor music venues across the city, AVLFest is slated to bring non-stop entertainment to area residents and visitors alike from August 3-6. Performance showcases are set to take place throughout the weekend, with wristbands granting pass-holders exclusive entry to all AVLFest official participating venues, as well discounts at numerous local retailers and restaurants, plus presale access and discounts to the small number of separately ticket AVLFest standalone headliners. Already confirmed for an appearance at The Outpost on August 3 is North Carolina-bred Americana band Watchhouse, with $20 tickets available exclusively to AVLFest pass-holders while supplies last. Visit avlfest.com/artists to purchase tickets and learn more.
Committed to supporting local community causes, AVLFest has partnered with several area nonprofits including RiverLink, Black Wall Street, Homeward Bound, and Campaign for Southern Equality. In addition to raising awareness for their respective missions, a portion of proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to benefitting these organizations.
There is no better time to support local venues, artists, and nonprofits. AVLFest offers patrons the chance to experience Asheville’s music, art and culinary attractions while further crystallizing Asheville as a premier travel destination nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
$100 GA and $250 VIP Weekend passes are available now. To learn more about AVLFest, explore the lineup, or purchase passes, visit avlfest.com and follow along at @AVLFest on Facebook and Instagram.
About Wicked Weed Brewing
Wicked Weed Brewing is an award-winning brewery based in Asheville, North Carolina. Founded in December 2012, Wicked Weed currently operates a 50-barrel production brewery, a sour beer production facility and four retail locations; the original Brewpub in the heart of downtown Asheville, the southeast’s first mixed-culture dedicated taproom, the Funkatorium, and the Wicked Weed West taproom. Wicked Weed opened Cultura, a fine dining restaurant in 2019 that was nominated in 2020 by the James Beard Foundation for Best New Restaurant. Most recently, in 2021 Wicked Weed launched their newest endeavor, Vidl Winery, specializing in the production of natural wines. Learn more at: WickedWeedBrewing.com.
About Worthwhile Sounds
Formed in 2015 by Jeff Whitworth, former owner of The Grey Eagle in Asheville NC, Worthwhile Sounds has established a reputation as one of the premier INDEPENDENT talent buying organizations in the Southeastern US. Worthwhile Sounds currently represents AVLFest, The Grey Eagle (Asheville, NC), Bijou Theatre (Knoxville, TN), Asheville Downtown Association (Downtown After 5), New Belgium Brewing AVL, Cold Mountain Festival, and Burial Beer’s Burnpile Harvest Festival.
AVLFest Venues
Salvage Station
Highland Brewing Company
The Outpost
Burial Beer Co. Forestry Camp
The Orange Peel
The Grey Eagle
Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
Asheville Music Hall
The Funkatorium
One World West
New Belgium Brewing
Jack Of the Wood
27 Club
The Odd
Fleetwood’s
Cork and Keg
Alley Cat
French Broad Brewing
