Big Ears reveals eclectic, international lineup for 2023 music festival in downtown Knoxville

It doesn't get much bigger than Big Ears Festival in downtown Knoxville, and the spring music event already is making noise with its melting pot of a lineup featuring international sensations, planned collaborations and a handful of familiar faces.

The familiarity comes from Big Ears alumni like Andrew Bird, as well as artists like Terry Allen and Bonny Light Horseman, who were supposed to play this year's festival but couldn't make the dates.

Amadou & Mariam, Devendra Banhart, The Bad Plus, Grouper and Andrew Bird make up the top line of performers. The lineup also includes alternative/indie artists The Mountain Goats and Kevin Morby, plus a 70th birthday celebration for the legendary John Zorn.

The Big Ears Festival 2023 lineup

The following artists are included in the main section of performers on the 2023 lineup poster.

• Amadou & Mariam

• The Bad Plus

• Devendra Banhart

• Andrew Bird

• Grouper

• Ibeyi

• Iron & Wine

• Vijay Iyer

• Rickie Lee Jones

• Charles Lloyd

• Los Lobos

• Joe Lovano

• Christian McBride's New Jawn

• The Mountain Goats

• Pino Palladino & Blake Mills ft. Sam Gendel & Abe Rounds

• Cecile McLorin Salvant

• Antonio Sánchez & Bad Hombre

• Nate Smith

• Kinfolk

• Tyshawn Sorey

For the full lineup, including a list of planned collaborations and participants in John Zorn's 70th birthday celebration, visit bigearsfestival.org. 

Want to go to Big Ears Festival 2023?

The 2023 festival, happening March 30 through April 2, looks to build on a record-breaking 2022 event that boasted the best festival attendance yet and a $36.1 million impact on Knoxville's economy.

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The 2023 festival will be the 10th iteration of Big Ears, festival founder Ashley Capps told Knox News, and the event plans to increase capacity by adding a large venue. Last year's event was the first sell-out festival to come to fruition, following two years of cancelations due to COVID-19.

The lineup is not final, and additions are expected.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, preceded by pre-sales for previous ticket buyers and donors, who should receive an email with a code for access.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Big Ears Festival 2023 reveals concert lineup in downtown Knoxville