Article Contributed by Alexius Lipot
Published on 2026-10-11
Jeremy Schon (PPPP) with Dizgo - Photos by Alexius Lipot
Flocktoberfest was in full bloom in Asheville, North Carolina, with bands taking over the city for a weekend of live music. Night one kicked off with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, but the energy didn’t stop there. The afterparty, hosted by Dizgo at Asheville Music Hall, turned into a packed-out affair when PPPP guitarist Jeremy Schon and new keyboardist Jon Brady jumped onstage to join the band.
It was the perfect setting for an Innerstate album-drop celebration.
Dizgo wasted no time getting the party started, opening with fan-favorite “Rainbow Lightning” before sliding straight into “Blue Monday.” Next, the band gave fans a taste of its new album with “Déjà Vu,” which seemed to be an immediate hit with the crowd. They followed it up with “Walking on the Sun” into “Run,” keeping the momentum rolling.
With the dance floor heating up, Dizgo unleashed two more tracks from Innerstate: “It’s Alive,” flowing directly into another new tune, “Exit 59.” The energy inside Asheville Music Hall was relentless, with no intermission in sight and the crowd dancing hard from one song to the next.
Outside, the Asheville area was still recovering from devastating destruction, making this night of music and community feel all the more meaningful.
Then came the sit-ins.
PPPP keyboardist Jon Brady was first to jump onstage, joining Dizgo keyboardist Jake Evatt. The two launched into the older Dizgo tune “Melt” before rolling right into “Heartbeat of America.”
Brady stepped offstage, but the surprises weren’t over.
Next up was PPPP guitarist Jeremy Schon, whose unmistakable guitar work added another layer to the jam. After exchanging quick fist bumps with Dizgo’s Andrew Pickel, Justin Clark, and Kevin Hinnefeld, Schon joined the guys for “Chimera,” stretching the jam before transitioning into “It’s Alright.”
With Schon stepping offstage, Dizgo brought its set to a close with the much-loved “Orbital,” sending the packed room off on a high note.
Between the Innerstate debuts, the nonstop dancing, and the surprise sit-ins from members of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Dizgo delivered an unforgettable afterparty to kick off Flocktoberfest.
If night one was any indication, Asheville was in for a seriously good weekend of music.
