By Ripley Scott
Are you ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of community and creativity? The 14th annual Big Asses Festival is this weekend, and it comes bearing gifts.
The free, cross-genre music and arts festival is this Saturday, August 10th, from 12pm-12am, and the schedule is jam packed with live music sets from 16 local artists and bands.
The brainchild of three Knoxville natives, CC McBride and her siblings, Erica and Daniel, the first Big Asses took form as a local showcase of Knoxville artists at a house show in 2009, and it quickly evolved into a beloved staple in the Knoxville arts scene.
“The focus of Big Asses Fest is to be a free, all ages show where local artists’ work can be seen and heard. This is our 14th year, and it’s grown so much, but, to me, it still has the feel of a house show or a friend’s birthday party,” explains CC McBride.
The Birdhouse, nestled in the heart of 4th & Gill on the same block as another Knoxville Crown Jewel, Sassy Ann’s, has been the perfect home for Big Asses Festival in recent years.
This cozy and inviting atmosphere has been a key ingredient in the festival's success, creating a sense of community and camaraderie among attendees and performers alike.
Thanks to the generosity of the Fourth and Gill Community Center, the festival has found a welcoming and intimate space that feels more like a house show or a gathering of close friends than a traditional music event.
CC explains that one of the unique aspects of Big Asses Festival is its emphasis on new projects and emerging artists, “We want to encourage new projects, and in some cases, Big Asses has been the place where folks have had their first public performance.”
For many, the festival serves as a launching pad for future ventures in the Knoxville music scene, giving them the opportunity to showcase their work to a supportive and enthusiastic audience.
CC, Erica and Daniel keep their eyes and ears peeled for new musicians and artists year round and share their discoveries with one another before selecting the lineup each year.
The siblings are musicians themselves, and their band Headface and the Congenitals performed at past festivals.
CC will play a live show with long-time favorite Day and Age at this year’s event, and Knoxville’s reigning Queen of Indie Rock, Sarrenna, is slated to take the stage at 5:00pm for her inaugural Big Asses performance.
Dead Cobre, Night Jar, Loinettes, New Romantics and the newly formed, occult rock band Hell Bop are also on the bill.
Whether you're a long-time attendee or a first-timer, you’re sure to find something that makes you feel right at home.
Here are a few highlights to look forward to:
Live Music: Enjoy a wide range of musical genres performed by local artists. (We’re talking SIXTEEN different sets from local musicians and bands, people!)
Art Exhibits: Discover unique and thought-provoking pieces from talented visual artists. (Zoie Papouchis and Lucia Board are this year’s hugely talented featured artists.)
Family Friendly: Bring the whole family for fun and entertainment.
As we gear up for another memorable weekend of music, art, and community, let's take a moment to appreciate the hard work and dedication of the McBride siblings, The Birdhouse Neighborhood Center and everyone involved in making Big Asses Festival a reality.
Their passion for supporting local talent and creating a space for creativity to thrive is truly inspiring, and it is events like this that make Knoxville such a special place for artists and art lovers alike.
To show your appreciation and to help The Birdhouse continue to support the community, visit the following link. Give to the Birdhouse | fourth&gill
Birdhouse Neighborhood Center, 800 N 4th Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917
Full Schedule!
12:00PM Joi:
12:30PM (VIP) Ditch Fork:
1:00PM Nark Angel: https://www.instagram.com/nark.angel/
1:30PM Antadie: https://www.instagram.com/vntvdie/
2:00PM Queen Chloe:
2:30PM White Corset: https://www.instagram.com/whit3corset/
3:00PM Dead Cobre: https://www.instagram.com/deadcobre/
3:30PM Lamp on the Box: https://www.instagram.com/lamponthebox/
4:00PM Nightjar: https://www.instagram.com/nightjar_knox/
5:00PM Sarrenna: https://www.instagram.com/sarrennamusic/
6:00PM Loinettes: https://www.instagram.com/theloinettes/
7:00PM Mister Disaster: https://www.instagram.com/misterdisaster865/
8:00PM Hellbop: https://www.instagram.com/hell_bop_/
9:00PM Day and Age: https://www.instagram.com/day_420_and_age_69/
10:00PM New Romantics: https://www.instagram.com/new_romantics_knox/
11:00PM DJ Mini Tiger: https://www.instagram.com/sshebaro/
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