Article Contributed by Victory Lap PR
Published on 2026-05-04
Philadelphia indie rockers with Asheville ties and New Orleans icons top lineup for citywide music festival set for Aug. 6-9
AVL Sounds Fest, presented by Wicked Weed Brewing and Worthwhile Sounds, today announced the initial lineup of more than 150 acts who will perform August 6–9. Dr. Dog and Preservation Hall Jazz Band top the bill for the four-day festival, which will present sets in more than 15 indoor and outdoor venues spread across one of the country’s most celebrated live music meccas. Tickets are now on sale.
Other highlights include UK-based soft rock ensemble Young Gun Silver Fox, Tyler Ramsey and Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket, and local favorites Electrolust, Toubab Krewe, Amanda Anne Platt & the Honeycutters, The Hypos, and Floating Action. A second wave of more than 75 artists will be announced later this month.
“We’re thrilled about this first wave of artists and feel strongly that our initial headliners align perfectly with the vision and scope of AVL Sounds Fest,” said Jeff Whitworth, president of Worthwhile Sounds. “Dr. Dog has long been a local favorite since their Grey Eagle days nearly 20 years ago. The fact that some of the members now live here is a reflection of the artistic and creative appeal Asheville offers.”
Whitworth continued, “It’s also our distinct honor to present the legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The throughlines between New Orleans and Asheville became especially strong in the aftermaths of Katrina and Helene, as our communities looked to each other for guidance and comfort during difficult times. Having Pres Hall bring their positive energy and spirit to this festival means the world to me, personally, and I believe will also resonate deeply with festivalgoers.”
Landmark venues like The Grey Eagle, Orange Peel, Asheville Music Hall, Eulogy, Fleetwood’s, and French Broad River Brewery return alongside newcomers Asheville Yards, Hellbender, Revival, and The Mule.
AVL Sounds Fest will honor Western North Carolina’s rich musical heritage with an emphasis on the city’s creativity and the artists who make it so magnetic. Formerly known as AVL Fest — which celebrated the sound, spirit, and soul of Asheville’s musical home in 2023 and 2024 — the event will showcase genre-spanning local, national, and international acts across a variety of stages, clubs, and rooms. The festival earned national attention in 2023 and 2024 before Hurricane Helene sidelined the event in 2025.
While on pause, the spirit of the festival and Asheville’s deep-rooted musical tradition carried on through The Asheville Sessions: Celebrating 100 Years of Americana & Appalachia, held in November in partnership with Blue Ridge Music Center and Explore Asheville. The centennial event created an opportunity for artists, venues, and the community to reconnect and celebrate the sound that has defined the region for over a century.
AVL Sounds Fest will launch annual programming dedicated to the Asheville Sessions, featuring contemporary artists’ interpretations of these historic recordings.
A portion of proceeds from the event will be donated to the WNC Long Haul – Recovery and Resilience Fund, a donor-advised fund through the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, providing resources in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. WNC Long Haul supports Culture & Arts, local businesses, and long-term recovery efforts for individuals impacted or displaced by the storm.
For more information, visit www.avlsoundsfest.com or follow @AVLsoundsFest on Instagram and Facebook.
About Worthwhile Sounds: Formed in 2015 by Jeff Whitworth, former owner of The Grey Eagle in Asheville, North Carolina, Worthwhile Sounds has established a reputation as one of the premier independent talent buying organizations in the Southeastern U.S. The company represents AVL Sounds Fest, The Grey Eagle, Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee, and other regional events.
About Wicked Weed Brewing: Wicked Weed Brewing is an award-winning brewery based in Asheville, North Carolina. Founded in 2012, the company operates a production brewery, a sour beer facility, and multiple retail locations, including the original downtown brewpub, the Funkatorium, and Wicked Weed West.
