Article Contributed by Victory Lap PR
Published on 2026-08-12
Indie rockers Dr. Dog close out AVL Sounds Fest with a hits-filled, two-hour set at Hellbender, a new riverside outdoor venue operated by the team behind The Orange Peel. (Nathan Chesky)
With the addition of new venues and a renewed sense of promise and possibility, AVL Sounds Fest debuted in Asheville this weekend with more than 225 artists performing on 17 indoor and outdoor stages throughout the city.
Over four days, the festival transformed Asheville into a sprawling musical playground, bringing the city’s venues, neighborhoods, artists, and audiences together in a celebration of the music and creative spirit that have helped make Asheville a national destination for the arts.
The debut carried particular weight following a 2025 devoted to Asheville’s recovery in the wake of Hurricane Helene. That year gave the team behind the festival space to support the broader recovery effort, including the WNC Long Haul Fund, before channeling that same energy into building something new.
Founded by AVL Sounds Fest Co-Director Rachel Dudasik through the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina to support the region’s long-term recovery and resilience, the fund has raised nearly $600,000 and distributed more than $475,000 in grants to local artists, small businesses, residents, and organizations still rebuilding.
This year’s arrival also marked a new chapter for Asheville’s music ecosystem, welcoming venues including Hellbender and Asheville Yards into the festival footprint and reflecting the city’s continued evolution to meet the needs of a growing audience and music industry.
“We missed this festival so much in 2025, post-Helene, given all that it brought to our local venues and musician community. The Orange Peel was so thrilled to welcome the new version back to our downtown stage for 2026,” said Liz Whalen Tallent, co-owner of The Orange Peel and the new Hellbender.
“Not even a month ago, we opened our new outdoor venue, Hellbender, in an area of our city that experienced so much destruction from the hurricane. To witness these amazing acts play on our new stage there, and see so many locals outside by the river, enjoying the music, dancing under the trees — that felt so incredibly special to us. It was such a momentous way to mark this chapter of rebuilding and re-emerging into what’s next, for live music in Asheville.”
“Over the course of four unforgettable days, Asheville experienced what could only be described as a, perhaps ill-advised yet perfectly fitting, ‘perfect storm,’” added festival founder and Worthwhile Sounds owner Jeff Whitworth.
“From Friday’s brief weather delay at Asheville Yards to Sunday’s dark, rolling clouds visibly sweeping toward Hellbender before breaking against the Appalachian Mountains, each moment served as a reminder that, in this corner of the world, we are always at the mercy of the weather. Yet through thoughtful planning, clear communication, and decisive action, organizers, venues, artists, and the community came together to ensure the festival carried on safely and beautifully.
“In many ways, the inaugural AVL Sounds Fest captured our region’s resilience and ongoing rebound in its most authentic form. After our area was tested in unimaginable ways, this festival offered a powerful reminder of our shared determination to keep moving forward. This weekend wasn’t just a celebration of music, but a celebration of world-class performers, local venues, small businesses, and the spirit of a community rebuilding itself one day and one concert at a time.”
Making a citywide festival work takes a citywide effort. That same community-first spirit extended far beyond the stages, with local partners helping make AVL Sounds Fest more accessible, connected, and welcoming for organizers, artists, venues, and fans alike.
Asheville on Bikes helped festivalgoers navigate between venues by bike, AVL Ride provided a locally owned transportation option, Asheville Rides Transit connected riders across the city, and local restaurants, shops, and businesses welcomed passholders through the festival’s Local Partner Directory.
These collaborations underscored the festival’s commitment to working within the infrastructure that makes Asheville such a distinctive and connected community, while also demonstrating the investment local businesses have made in the festival’s vision.
“Asheville has always made its own sound and this weekend AVL Sounds Fest turned up the volume for thousands of music fans to experience,” said Vic Isley, president and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority.
“Explore Asheville is proud to support and shine a spotlight on our live music scene, talent and venues, capturing the cultural spirit and talent rooted here in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Together we won through boosting local pride, supporting our creative community, restaurants, breweries, and retail, and extending our summer season into the start of the fall.”
With more than 225 artists spanning genres and generations, AVL Sounds Fest offered something for longtime music fans and curious newcomers alike.
Headlining performances from Dr. Dog, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Big Freedia, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Grace Bowers, Young Gun Silver Fox, River Whyless, and Tyler Ramsey and Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket anchored the weekend, while a deep roster of local and emerging acts gave audiences plenty of opportunities to discover new music.
From Asheville-meets-Memphis supergroup The Hypos and acoustic-grunge standouts Improvement Movement to Appalachian ballad collective Nest of Singing Birds and sitar-rock innovators Shock-Tea, the lineup offered an expansive cross-section of sounds.
Homegrown talent was also well represented by Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast, Tall Tall Trees, Amanda Anne Platt and The Honeycutters, Electrolust, Floating Action, and many more.
As AVL Sounds Fest looks back on four days of packed venues, memorable performances, and a city alive with music, the inaugural event demonstrated the depth of Asheville’s talent, the strength of its independent music and hospitality infrastructure, and the enthusiasm of a community eager to welcome artists and audiences from near and far.
With the momentum of its debut year, the AVL Sounds Fest team is already looking ahead to 2027. For future news and announcements, visit AVLSoundsFest.com or follow @AVLSoundsFest on social media.
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 leading independent talent-buying organizations in the Southeastern United States. Worthwhile Sounds currently represents AVL Sounds Fest, The Grey Eagle, and the Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee, among other regional events.
About Wicked Weed Brewing
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, including the original Brewpub in downtown Asheville, the Funkatorium, and Wicked Weed West.
Photo: Preservation Hall Jazz Band performs at Asheville Yards during AVL Sounds Fest. Photo by Steve Atkins.
