Article Contributed by Victory Lap PR
Published on 2026-06-16
AVL Sounds Fest, presented by Worthwhile Sounds and Wicked Weed Brewing, today announced more than 75 additions to the artist lineup for the citywide music festival taking place August 6–9, 2026.
Headlining wave two is Big Freedia, the New Orleans queen of bounce whose electrifying shows have made her one of the country’s most celebrated live performers.
Also joining the bill are Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, the acclaimed funk and soul ensemble led by saxophonist and longtime Rolling Stones touring musician Karl Denson, and Asheville’s own River Whyless, whose lush indie folk sound and deep roots in the local music community make them a natural fit for the festival’s celebration of the region’s creative spirit. More than 75 additional genre-spanning artists have joined the lineup.
Wave two joins a wave one lineup that already includes headliners Dr. Dog, in their only announced show of 2026, and Preservation Hall Jazz Band, alongside Grace Bowers, Improvement Movement, Tyler Ramsey & Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket, Sir Woman, Young Gun Silver Fox and dozens of regional and local acts.
The full lineup of more than 150 performers and tickets are available at avlsoundsfest.com.
“We’re thrilled to bring such a wide range of artists to Asheville this summer,” said Jeff Whitworth, owner of Worthwhile Sounds. “Wave two reflects everything we love about this festival—there’s something here for everyone.”
AVL Sounds Fest will present sets in more than 15 indoor and outdoor venues throughout Asheville, including landmarks such as The Orange Peel, The Grey Eagle and Asheville Music Hall, as well as newcomers Hellbender, Asheville Yards, Revival and The Mule.
A portion of proceeds from the event will be donated to WNC Long Haul – Recovery and Resilience Fund, a donor-advised fund through the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina providing resources following Hurricane Helene.
WNC Long Haul is committed to continued support in culture and arts, local business and long-term assistance for individuals impacted or displaced by the storm. The fund was established to meet the evolving needs of the community at critical stages of recovery.
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, rooms and genre-crossing lineups.
The festival earned national attention in 2023 and 2024 before Hurricane Helene sidelined the event in 2025.
For more information, visit avlsoundsfest.com or follow @AVLsoundsFest on Instagram and Facebook.
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.
Worthwhile Sounds currently represents AVL Sounds Fest, The Grey Eagle, Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee, and other regional events.
Wicked Weed Brewing is an award-winning brewery based in Asheville, North Carolina. Founded in December 2012, Wicked Weed Brewing currently operates a 50-barrel production brewery, a sour beer production facility and three retail locations.
Those locations include 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.
Learn more at WickedWeedBrewing.com or follow @wickedweedbrewing on Instagram.
