Article Contributed by Victory Lap PR
Published on 2026-07-04
AVL Sounds Fest, presented by Wicked Weed Brewing and Worthwhile Sounds, returns to Asheville Aug. 6–9, 2026, with a full lineup of more than 200 artists spanning 15+ venues across the city. Headliners include Dr. Dog, playing their only announced show of 2026, alongside Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Big Freedia, and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe.
The refreshed, citywide festival transforms Asheville into a national music destination, honoring the spirit that made AVLfest a hallmark of Asheville's scene.
The four-day festival transforms Asheville into a citywide stage, connecting fans, artists, and local businesses across the community. Venues include returning staples The Orange Peel, The Grey Eagle, Asheville Music Hall, Eulogy, and French Broad River Brewery, plus newcomers Hellbender, Asheville Yards, Revival, and The Mule.
"In addition to showcasing the world-class musicians who call our city home, AVL Sounds Fest will remain focused on capturing the national spotlight for our unparalleled collection of venues," said Jeff Whitworth, co-founder of AVL Sounds Fest. "As someone who was originally drawn to Western North Carolina for its vibrant music scene, this festival is a meaningful opportunity to give back to the inspiring community that welcomed me more than 25 years ago. This lineup reflects everything we love about this festival — there's something here for everyone."
Full lineup highlights include Dr. Dog, Philadelphia-bred and Asheville at heart and home, playing their only announced 2026 show; Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the storied New Orleans institution born in 1961, whose home venue closed its doors after Hurricane Katrina yet never stopped touring, a resilience story that echoes Asheville's own post-Helene rebound; Big Freedia, another New Orleans throughline, the Big Easy’s queen of bounce and one of the country's most celebrated live performers; and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, bringing funk and soul led by saxophonist and longtime Rolling Stones touring musician Karl Denson.
The lineup also includes River Whyless, Asheville's own lush indie folk group turned national touring act, deeply rooted in the local music community, along with Grace Bowers, Improvement Movement, Tyler Ramsey & Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket, Sir Woman, Young Gun Silver Fox, and dozens of regional, local, and international acts.
Together, the lineup showcases the festival's genre-blending range and broad national appeal, pairing marquee headliners with rising talent and beloved local acts in a showcase-style festival.
The full lineup and tickets are available at www.avlsoundsfest.com.
AVL Sounds Fest builds on the rebranding revealed in February, when the AVLfest team announced that after two years celebrating the sound, spirit, and soul of Asheville's musical mountain home, the festival would retire its former name as founding partners forged independent creative paths. Co-founder Jeff Whitworth — of Worthwhile Sounds and talent buyer for The Grey Eagle, The Bijou Theatre, and more — continues his partnership with Wicked Weed Brewing and the festival's core operational and advisory team to carry the event forward under its new moniker.
Fans can expect the same variety of stages and genre-blending lineups that earned AVLfest national attention in 2023 and 2024 before Hurricane Helene sidelined the event in 2025. While on pause, the spirit of the festival 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. This August, AVL Sounds Fest will launch annual programming dedicated to the Asheville Sessions, featuring contemporary artists' interpretations of these historic recordings.
That homegrown spirit is what drew headliner Dr. Dog's Scott McMicken back to the festival. "Having lived in Asheville for the last five years, I'm just constantly blown away by the depth of brilliance and diversity of the music scene. It's changed me for the better," McMicken said. "AVL Sounds Fest puts that reality on full display with such abundance that it's become my favorite time of the year. And this year I'm extra excited to get to partake in it all with my band, Dr. Dog. Philly bred, but Asheville at heart. Don't miss it."
A portion of festival proceeds will benefit WNC Long Haul – Recovery and Resilience Fund, a donor-advised fund through the Community Foundation of WNC supporting Culture & Arts, Local Business, and long-term recovery for individuals impacted or displaced by Hurricane Helene.
Event Details:
Dates: Thursday, Aug. 6 – Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, annually beginning on the first Thursday of August
Location: 15+ venues across Asheville, N.C.
Tickets & Info: www.avlsoundsfest.com
Social: @AVLSoundsFest on Facebook and Instagram
