Big Ears 2027 Lineup
Four days, more than twenty rooms and 250-plus performances across downtown Knoxville, from jazz and new music to folk and drone. Lineup lands September 14.
Tickets go on sale September 16 at 9:00 AM.
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About Big Ears 2027
Big Ears 2027 runs April 1 to 4 in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, and the lineup is announced on Monday, September 14 at 10am ET. Passes go on sale the same week: a donor pre-sale at the announcement, a previous-purchaser pre-sale on Tuesday, September 15 at 9am ET, and the general on-sale on Wednesday, September 16 at 9am ET, through Front Gate Tickets.
Founded in 2009 by Bonnaroo co-founder Ashley Capps and run as a nonprofit since 2016, Big Ears is the festival that books John Zorn for a dozen sets and Robert Plant in the same weekend. The 2026 edition put David Byrne, Laurie Anderson, Flying Lotus, Pat Metheny, Chris Thile, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Perfume Genius and Mary Halvorson across more than twenty venues, from the Tennessee Theatre and the Bijou to churches, a warehouse and a cinema, alongside a film program, talks, readings and exhibitions.
Everything sits within a short walk of everything else, with a festival trolley for the rest. Four-day passes come in three tiers (general admission from $450, Premier at $875, VIP Sonic Explorer at $1,475), a film-only pass is $50, and single-day passes follow once the daily lineups are published. A handful of reserved-seat concerts are ticketed separately, with passholders getting first pick.
Big Ears 2027 lineup FAQ
When is Big Ears 2027?
April 1 to 4, 2027 (Thursday through Sunday), across downtown Knoxville, Tennessee.
When is the Big Ears 2027 lineup announced?
Monday, September 14, 2026 at 10am ET, per the festival. Save this page and check back after the reveal; the act finder appears here as soon as the bill is in.
When do Big Ears 2027 passes go on sale?
Donors at $100 and up can buy from September 14 at 10am ET, previous purchasers from September 15 at 9am ET, and everyone from Wednesday, September 16 at 9am ET, through Front Gate Tickets. Early Bird general admission is $450 and the price steps up as each wave sells out.
What kind of music does Big Ears book?
Jazz, new and classical music, experimental and electronic music, folk, drone, minimalism and the adventurous end of rock and pop, on the same weekend. Recent headliners have included David Byrne, Robert Plant, Laurie Anderson, John Zorn, Flying Lotus and Pat Metheny.
Where are the venues?
More than twenty rooms downtown, sized from about 100 to 2,500: the Tennessee Theatre, the Bijou Theatre and the Knoxville Civic Auditorium among the largest, plus churches, the Mill & Mine warehouse space, museums, galleries, clubs and the Regal Riviera for films. All are walkable, with a festival trolley running between them.
Is Big Ears all ages?
Yes. Passes are required for anyone aged two and up.
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