AVLFest is a venue-based music festival returning to the Blue Ridge mountains August 1-4th, 2024. Presented by Asheville-based Wicked Weed Brewing and Worthwhile Sounds, AVLFest will fill 20+ area concert halls, clubs, and outdoor venues alike with an exceptional multi-genre lineup of local, regional, and national talent. Performances are set to take place throughout the 4-day festival with wristbands granting pass holders access to 200+ shows through the Asheville area.

Committed to supporting local community causes, AVLFest is partnering with local nonprofit including Asheville Music Professionals. In addition to raising awareness for their mission of providing education, advocacy and collaboration for the people who work and thrive in music in WNC, AMP will also receive a portion of proceeds from ticket sales.

Featured Bands

Papadosio:

DEFTLY NAVIGATING THE CONFLUENCE OF PROG ROCK, LIVETRONICA, JAZZ, & JAM, PAPADOSIO’S APPEAL AS A CROSSOVER ACT HAS AMASSED A RABID FAN BASE ACROSS NORTH AMERICA. THANKS TO A STEADY STREAM OF INNOVATIVE ALBUMS, THEY’VE SEEN A DECADE AND A HALF OF CONSISTENT TOURING WITH HUNDREDS OF LIVE RECORDINGS AT THE FINGERTIPS OF EVERY FOLLOWER. THEIR ALLURE’S LED TO CO-PRESENTING MASSIVE EVENTS SUCH AS RESONANCE, SECRET DREAMS, SUMMER SEEQUENCE, AND SUBTERRANEA FESTIVAL, PLUS HEADLINE PLAYS AT THE LEGENDARY RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE.

FROM THEIR HUMBLE MIDWEST ORIGINS, PAPADOSIO’S GRASSROOTS OPERATION HAS GROWN TO OVERFLOWING CLUBS AND THEATERS NATIONWIDE, CEMENTING THEIR REPUTATION AS A MUST-SEE ACT. NOW BASED IN ASHEVILLE, NC, THE DYNAMIC FIVE-PIECE FEATURES RHYTHM EXPERT MIKE HEALY ON DRUMS, LOW END LUMINARY ROB MCCONNELL ON BASS, MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST BROTHERS SAM & BILLY BROUSE ON KEYBOARD/VOCALS, AND SAGE PRODUCER ANTHONY THOGMARTIN ON GUITAR/VOCALS.

Toubab Krewe:

Some music cannot be found on a map or within iTunes categories. Some music is so original it seems snatched from the great, invisible substrata that runs below all human activity, a sound aching to be born without a flag or fixed allegiance – free, questing, overflowing with immediate, tangible life. This is the music of Toubab Krewe, the vibrant Asheville, NC-based instrumental powerhouse that creates a sonic Pangaea that lustily swirls together rock, African traditions, jam sensibilities, international folk strains and more. While nearly impossible to put into any box, it takes only a few moments to realize in a very palpable way that one is face-to-face with a true original who recognizes no borders in a march towards a muscular, original, globally switched-on sound.
 
Formed in 2005, Toubab Krewe has tenaciously honed their craft through relentless touring and a fierce dedication to carving out something they can truly call their own. The fruits of this hard work can be heard on their latest release, STYLO, (March 2nd, 2018). What Justin Perkins (kora, kamelngoni, guitar, percussion), Terrence Houston (drumset), Drew Heller (guitar, organ), Justin Kimmel (bass, keys), and Luke Quaranta (djembe, dunun, sangban, kenkeni, kryn, karenye) have wrought on STYLO reflects the many miles and musical journeys that have transpired since their last studio album, TK2.
 
This is a band that actively draws inspiration from whatever source floats into their purview, something they’ve exhibited in their decade and a half of heavy gigging, including regular appearances at major U.S. festivals like Bonnaroo, High Sierra, Electric Forest, Wakarusa, Hulaween, and abroad at such legendary gatherings as the Festival In The Desert in Essakane, Mali, Shanghai World Music Festival, and Jam Cruise. Whether on their own or collaborating with luminaries like the Last Poets’ Umar Bin Hassan, Uncle Earl’s Rayna Gellert, or Weedie Braimah, Toubab Krewe has already earned the attention and respect of a broad musical community.
 
Toubab carries echoes of African greats like Ali Farka Toure, Orchestra Baobab and Salif Keita, no doubt picked up during the group’s travels to study and live in Guinea, Ivory Coast and Mali.  But what truly differentiates Toubab Krewe from other Statesiders inspired by African music is how they innovate on what they’ve learned instead of simply recreating tradition. Toubab Krewe carves out a new trail honoring the African originators they admire by making something alive and contemporary.