Chapel Hill Alt-Country Show – Davie Circle, The Jackson Slater Band, Bill Moore and his Secret Admirers, Yakamashii
Yakamashii Yakamashii is an alternative country band from Chapel Hill, NC. The group fuses influences from bluegrass, rock, jazz, pop, with an emphasis on musical improvisation. The group formed in 2023, and has had a number of iterations throughout the years. Instagram Bill Moore Bill Moore and his Secret Admirers perform the most original country music you’ll hear East of the Appalachian mountains. With a raw blend of bluegrass, rockabilly, doo-wop and electricity, they bring a crackling hillbilly intensity that’ll move even the most reluctant dancer. The band is headed by Bill Moore, a Chapel-Hill born-and-bred picker with a penchant for snappy dressing, who writes much of the group’s material. Whether they’re knocking you out with some rip-roaring hollering or easing you down with beautiful old-time harmony, this group has Carolina Country Flair in levels barely safe for consumption. Website | Instagram The Jackson Slater Band Youngblood singer-songwriter, Jackson Slater, brings Southern Rock soaring forward to the modern day. Raised on the Allman Brothers, Skynyrd, and the Black Crowes, Jackson pays homage to the past without replicating it. With raspy, baritone vocals, Jackson combines the soul of Joe Cocker with the raw power of Chris Cornell and the country-fried swagger of Chris Stapleton. Jackson’s debut album – Holy Water Inn- will be available in early 2026 and will explore the intersection of honky tonk and hard rock. The high powered, four piece Jackson Slater Band features the combined talents of drummer Brennan Walsh, bassist Max Jacobson, and keyboardist/saxophonist Kai Mercado. Playing originals and a list of covers that ranges from ZZ Top to Black Sabbath, the Jackson Slater Band is truly a rock n’ roll unit sure to blow your mind and leave you craving more. Website | Instagram Davie Circle Davie Circle is an alt-country/folk-rock band based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Formed in their tight-knit college town, the group quickly became a mainstay in the local music scene. Their name comes from a historic street where the band spent countless hours rehearsing, and it perfectly captures the spirit of their roots. Blending the free-spirited improvisation of jam bands, the lush harmonies of bluegrass, and the rhythmic groove of jazz with the storytelling traditions of Southern rock and Delta blues, Davie Circle creates a sound that’s undeniably American. Drawing inspiration from iconic acts like The Allman Brothers, The Band, and the Grateful Dead, as well as contemporary voices like Tyler Childers and Zac Brown Band, the band brings a fresh twist to the genres they love, crafting music that feels both timeless and new. Instagram
Johnny Sunrise and the Clouds
Johnny Sunrise (and the Clouds)Hailing from Western Massachusetts, and now based in Carrboro, NC, Johnny Sunrise is an indie folk rock singer-songwriter who draws inspiration from love, longing, the “quarter-life crisis,” and the uncertainty of life. Although Johnny grew up with music primarily as a drummer, his unforeseen travels up and down the east coast and the isolation caused by the COVID pandemic brought him closer to his neglected guitar. Johnny is now joined by the uber-talented trio Marco “Paco” Marvelli (lap steel), Gabby Messner (bass), and Jake Richter (drums) whose contributions take the live show to another level. Johnny has carved a place in the NC triangle music scene over the past couple of years performing original songs with honest lyrics and a soulful voice. Always with a smile and a healthy dose of banter. SupermuttSupermutt is a femme-foward indie collective based out of Durham and Raleigh, NC. The five piece ensemble – Mimi, Ali, Jaz, Katie, and Jacks — crafts sonic tapestries where narrative-driven songwriting meets lush, atmospheric arrangements built from cascading vocal harmonies and dreamlike instrumentation. The band’s dynamic sound thrives in the tension between contradiction and cohesion, embracing calculated dissonance and textural experimentation while maintaining an unshakable foundation in melodic harmony. This approach creates music that feels both intimately grounded and expansively otherworldly, inviting listeners into carefully constructed emotional worlds where vulnerability and strength coexist. Autumn HouseAutumn House is a country-inflected alternative rock band based in Carrboro, NC drawing influence from such artists as Neil Young, Lucinda Williams, and Jason Molina, as well as some of the noisier alt-rock bands of the 90s like Chapel Hill’s own Archers of Loaf. Their songs, ranging from wistful ballads to full-throated rockers, deal broadly with the ephemeral and the beauty in the mundane. Autumn House is comprised of Cole Cook (bass) Paco Marvelli (lap steel guitar), Max Randall (guitar, vocals), and Andy Seiglie (drums, backing vocals).
Paul McDonald & the Mourning Doves
Born in Alabama and baptized in the dive bars of the southeast, Paul McDonald first made noise with the Grand Magnolias, a roots-rock outfit, before catching fire in the public eye during American Idol’s 2011 run. When the bright lights blurred and the cameras turned, the man behind the voice slipped into the shadows where he did what real artists do: He lived, he lost, and he wrote. Retreating to Nashville, that holy city of reinvention, Paul stitched himself back together with worn boots, hard songs, and a new band called the Mourning Doves. Now, in 2025, the giant has stirred with the release of “So Long to the Dark Side” – a gospel-tinged reckoning wrapped in cosmic Americana and lit with songs that sound like they were scribbled on the edge of a breakdown and sung back from the brink. Raised on Petty, Parsons, and pain, Paul McDonald is not chasing trends, he’s conjuring something older and truer. His live performances are equal parts revival and rock séance. Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Krooked Kings
In a world where authenticity is often sacrificed, Krooked Kings stand as a beacon of unabashed vulnerability and raw emotion. Their indie rock sound is a candid reflection of their influences, drawing from the ornate and biting guitar arrangements of The Strokes, the introspective depth of Bon Iver, and the easygoing charm of Peach Pit. But while these inspirations shape their musical foundation, it’s the band’s own narrative that sets them apart. At the heart of Krooked Kings’ music is a brutally honest portrayal of the twenty-something experience in America—capturing the restlessness, dreams, and disillusionments of a generation navigating the complexities of modern life. Their lyrics resonate with the tumultuous yet exhilarating journey of coming of age, making each song a poignant and relatable exploration of life’s ups and downs. Krooked Kings burst onto the scene with a fervor that quickly captivated audiences across Europe and North America, culminating in a debut tour that left an indelible mark on their fans. Their ability to connect on a profound level is evident not just in their packed shows but also in their impressive digital footprint. With over 70 million streams on their albums, their music has reverberated across the globe, cementing their status as a rising force in indie rock. Their presence isn’t just isolated to the realm of underground fans and loyal listeners, having gained critical acclaim and placements on some of Spotify’s most sought after playlists in the genre including “Today’s Indie Rock”, “Feel Good Indie Rock”, “Marrow”, and many more. With their fearless approach to songwriting and an ever-expanding fanbase, they’re poised to redefine the boundaries of indie rock and make their mark on the world stage. Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Knock on Wood – A Stax Records Tribute
This is a seated show. With Special Guests Steve Eisenstadt, Armand Lenchek, Thee Tim Smith, Lance White, Cyril Lance, Willie Painter, Whiskey Honeys, Rob Sharer, Kimmie Wilson, Glenn Jones, Emma Davis, Sara Lafone, Rebecca Newton, Nancy Middleton, Carter Minor, Michelle Belanger, Todd Jones, Alison Jones, Becky Lenchek, Julia Vo, Doug Guild, Teeyum Smith, David Shore, Mike Rosado, Larry Duckworth, Hugh Crumley, Kris Whitenack, Greg Bell, Rick Keena, Alan Wilson, Luis Rodriguez, Jeremy Boomhower, Arch Altman, Tom Anderson, Anastasia Maddox, Peter Holsapple, Bob Northcott
Iron & Wine
With Improvement Movement Iron & Wine is the musical project of singer-songwriter Sam Beam. Born and raised in South Carolina, Beam is a former film professor who got his start making home recordings before landing on Sub Pop Records. Iron & Wine’s 2002 debut, The Creek Drank the Cradle garnered both critical and popular acclaim, vaulting Beam into the spotlight of the burgeoning indie-folk/Americana scene as one of its new and leading voices. For over 20 years, Iron & Wine has captured the emotion and imagination of listeners with distinctly cinematic songs. His recorded output includes seven full-length studio records, collaborations with Calexico, Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses), and Jesca Hoop, countless EP’s, singles and compilation/soundtrack appearances, a live concert documentary, and five GRAMMY nominations. Iron & Wine’s latest record, Light Verse was released in April 2024 with Paste Magazine noting “… Beam returns with an expanded sonic palette while also rekindling the bright spark that made 2007’s The Shepherd’s Dog so magical.” Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify
Iron & Wine
With Improvement Movement Iron & Wine is the musical project of singer-songwriter Sam Beam. Born and raised in South Carolina, Beam is a former film professor who got his start making home recordings before landing on Sub Pop Records. Iron & Wine’s 2002 debut, The Creek Drank the Cradle garnered both critical and popular acclaim, vaulting Beam into the spotlight of the burgeoning indie-folk/Americana scene as one of its new and leading voices. For over 20 years, Iron & Wine has captured the emotion and imagination of listeners with distinctly cinematic songs. His recorded output includes seven full-length studio records, collaborations with Calexico, Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses), and Jesca Hoop, countless EP’s, singles and compilation/soundtrack appearances, a live concert documentary, and five GRAMMY nominations. Iron & Wine’s latest record, Light Verse was released in April 2024 with Paste Magazine noting “… Beam returns with an expanded sonic palette while also rekindling the bright spark that made 2007’s The Shepherd’s Dog so magical.” Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify
Fancy Gap, Lua Flora
Fancy Gap is a duo formed by Stuart McLamb (The Love Language) and Charles Crossingham, whose musical bond was forged during the pandemic in a mountain cabin in Fancy Gap, Virginia. Blending elements of country, pop, and classic rock, their sound draws from a wide range of influences, from ‘90s radio rock to timeless Americana. Their music captures the raw emotion of love, loss, and life’s fleeting moments, often with a nostalgic, free-spirited vibe. With an authentic, hands-on approach to songwriting and recording, Fancy Gap’s chemistry shines through in every note, inviting listeners on a heartfelt journey. Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Spotify Creating in a state of constant adventure, Asheville, NC-based Lua Flora has successfully unified sounds that typically don’t go together. Led by the expressive and intentional pen of songwriter Evan Button, the “roots pop” act seamlessly blends Americana, pop, and indie folk with the rhythmic undercurrents of Caribbean and West African traditions, crafting songs that feel both deeply personal and universally resonant. Taking the show from backyard parties to national stages, Lua Flora has supported artists like Satsang, Franc Moody, Arise Roots, and more, while appearing at festivals such as FloydFest, Rooster Walk, and Shakori Hills. Further cementing their reputation as a rising force in contemporary songwriting, Lua Flora recently released a collaborative single with singer-songwriter Brett Dennen, marking a milestone moment that underscores the project’s heart-first approach and growing influence in the modern folk landscape. “The musical embodiment of Asheville’s creative spirit” -Face The Current”…easy and melodic — a light, laidback recluse from the grind.” -Top Shelf Music Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube
Big Star Quintet – Celebrates Five Decades of the Influential Band’s Legacy
Featuring Big Star’s Jody Stephens, Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Chris Stamey (the dB’s), Jon Auer (Big Star/The Posies), and Pat Sansone (Wilco) After many years celebrating the music of Big Star via the collective known as Big Star’s Third, Jody Stephens (the last surviving member of the original Big Star lineup) had an idea. “I truly loved touring the world and performing Big Star’s Third with a core group, a variety of special guests, and a chamber orchestra playing the beautiful orchestrations created by Carl Marsh and Chris Stamey. But when the idea of celebrating the 50th anniversary of #1 Record came up, it was time to pare the production down to a five- piece rock band. So I called a few close and like-spirited musical friends.” Enter some of the legendary group’s biggest fans, who have long been associated with Big Star and related projects. The band now includes Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Jon Auer (The Posies), Pat Sansone (Wilco), Chris Stamey (The dB’s) and Stephens. Dubbing themselves the Big Star Quintet, it’s a lineup that is both personal and close in spirit to #1 Record and Radio City. When the newly-minted Quintet gathered at R.E.M.’s rehearsal spot in November of 2022 to commune with the music and workshop as a five-piece for the first time, none of them could have foreseen the rapturous receptions they would receive over the next few years: sold-out shows in the US, playing abroad (including two tours of Spain), both #1 Record and Radio City 50th-anniversary tours, and stellar reviews of their live shows in Uncut, The San Francisco Gate, and beyond. To call the members of the Quintet versatile would be something of an understatement. All five take turns singing lead and harmony vocals and deftly fill the different musical chairs required to accurately perform the multi-faceted Big Star catalog. Stephens shines just as brightly singing at the front of the stage on numbers like “Thirteen,” “Blue Moon,” and “Way Out West” as he does propelling the group behind the drum kit with visceral grace. Now a well-oiled and well-traveled outfit, the Quintet’s unabashedly high-energy band vibe and mutual appreciation on stage is the way to experience the essence of Big Star’s music live. That said, it’s more than just the songs and sounds that the five musicians share in common. “Playing Big Star’s music with Mike, Pat, Jon, and Chris is a joy,” says Stephens. “We travel together as friends and have so much fun with this music and with our audiences. ABOUT THE BIG STAR QUINTET LIVE: “The enthusiasm of the five-piece was evident [at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass] in [San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park] as they seamlessly swapped instruments and vocal duties…at the conclusion of each song, the group grinned at one another like they shared a secret.”—The San Francisco Gate “The band treat the material with an enthused respect, like kids with golden tickets to a musical chocolate factory…the four-part harmonies gel like family, as if from a lifetime’s practice.”—Uncut
Never Ending Fall
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