KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Music lovers across Knoxville have had to go without one of the most popular festivals in Tennessee — Big Ears. In 2022, that is set to change.
Officials with Big Ears Festival announced Tuesday that bands would perform and music would fill the streets once again on March 24 - 27, 2022. The festival was canceled two years in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The festival is known for attracting an eclectic group of artists and fans. The festival routinely attracts big stars alongside artists just getting started with their careers.
Instead of a traditional festival, organizers planned a series of outdoor events in 2021. They included a restaging of John Luther Adams' iconic work, "Inksuit." It was first presented at Big Ears in 2016.
Several new artists will be coming to Big Ears this year. The festival announced the second wave of performers on October 26, including punk rock icon and pioneer Patti Smith. Smith will be performing with her band as well as giving a spoken-word performance from her Words & Music series.
In June, officials also announced that Julian Lage would perform at St. John's Cathedral, alongside bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Dave King. The performance was to celebrate the debut of his album, Squint. The performance is scheduled for December 10.