MINKA
“If you have a pulse, you’re going to love MINKA. If you don’t have a pulse, I’m really worried about you.” Funky, electronic, rock…dance..jazz..sexy..Japanese inspired…well, there’s really no way to fully capture the experiences and sounds of Philly-born band, MINKA. But if you want to let your imagination run wild…let’s pretend some scientists got in the lab and crossed Bowie with Prince, and then sprinkled in some Talking Heads.
Candi Jenkins
Candi Jenkins blends country and folk songs shaped by truth, grit, and the courage to start over. Her project began after canceling her wedding on the day of the ceremony—a moment that inspired her cornerstone song “Wild Blue.” The experience sparked a new chapter of healing and courage to speak the truth. Blending classic country warmth with cinematic western imagery, Candi creates music that feels intimate, emotional, and deeply human. She has opened for Clay Street Unit and Jason Boland & The Stragglers, with upcoming performances supporting Son Little and Andy Frasco. Her voice is raw, her stories are real, and her art is rooted in the belief that transformation is always possible.
Live Comedy with Spencer Bland and John Thornton
Originally from North Carolina, Spencer Bland is a comedian and writer that wants you to know his last name has no effect on his comedy. Now based in LA, he has been featured on Netflix Is A Joke Radio on SiriusXM, the All Fantasy Everything podcast, and is a featured performer at comedy festivals across the country. As a professional dork, his dedication to useless things has led him to work on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Amazon Prime. One fan from Wilmington described his comedy as “Moderately funny. Too much sex and too loud.” Come see for yourself! John Thornton is a local standup comedian, a lover, a close, personal friend of Jay-z, and the director of a local non-profit that works with the homeless called Held. Some of this isn’t true. He’s been doing standup for over 15 years all over North Carolina and loves performing in Greensboro. In July of 2025, the non-profit he’s a director of hosted a comedy show fundraiser featuring SNL’s Andrew Dismukes and James Austin Johnson in downtown Greensboro.
Eternally Grateful
Eternally Grateful is an Americana Duo, Trio, Acoustic Band, and Electric Band, revolving around the core duo of Ben Williams and Cooper Pearce. Having played over 600 shows since 2023, they have risen to be among the most sought after bands in the NC music scene. The style is best defined as “Jamericana” with Indie, Bluegrass, Jazz, and more mixed in through the prolific songwriting and prodigious guitar work of Cooper Pearce, and the Eclectic Mastery of Ben Williams on the upright bass, garnered from 50+ years experience in Jazz, Blues, and Southern Rock. Eternally Grateful strives to make a true, energetic connection with their audiences, and is a must see act for any live music lover
The Wilder Flower
With years of experience dating back to their early teenage years, The Wilder Flower are natural and lively performers. Centering their shows around three-part harmonies and original songs, they enjoy engaging with audiences, telling stories, and opening up about their songwriting and musical process. They create a meaningful shared experience with the audience at every show, and often leave people laughing. The Wilder Flower has opened for bands such as the SteelDrivers, Steep Canyon Rangers, and MIPSO. They play festivals such as Merlefest, The Earl Scruggs Music Fesival, GreyFox Bluegrass Festival, Big Ponderoo Music and Art Festival, FreshGrass Festival, High Mountain Hay Fever, and Albino Skunk Music Festival.
River Shook w/ Nathan James Hall
River Shook is an artist in constant evolution. After a decade spent making their mark oncountry music, River Shook is closing the door on their first project (Sarah Shook & the Disarmers) and entering an exciting new era, debuting as a solo artist. River’s reputation for writing strikingly honest and transformative lyrics and their penchant for tapping elements of indie rock and pop music have forever cemented them as a country artist who exists to energetically push the boundaries of their genre into the future. River has delivered high-energy performances with the Disarmers at major festivals like SXSW, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Under The Big Sky, Pilgrimage, and the Long Road in the UK. They’ve supported Willie Nelson, Tyler Childers, Lucero, and the Indigo Girls. They’ve sold out headlining shows in venues from New York City to Los Angeles, from Barcelona to Stockholm, and many more. River’s “Talkin’ To Myself” was the theme song on the Apple TV+ show High Desert and two of their songs (“New Ways To Fail” and “Keep The Home Fires Burnin’”) were featured in the 2021 movie Lorelei, starring Pablo Schreiber and Jena Malone. River and the Disarmers will appear as themselves in the Kyle Gallner/Samara Weaving/Kyra Sedgwick upcoming film Carolina Caroline with several songs featured in the film as well. River will also appear as themself in an Ethan Hawke-directed/Rolling Stone-produced documentary about Merle Haggard alongside legends like Steve Earle, Phoebe Bridgers, and Willie Nelson, later this year. To promote the last Disarmers record Revelations, the New York Times ran a full artist profile on River Shook (the article appeared in print and online). Prior Disarmers releases garnered accolades from the likes of Rolling Stone, Billboard, Paste, PopMatters, No Depression, and the Wall Street Journal. The Disarmers’ sophomore album Years was named Best Rock Album of 2018 by the Chicago Tribune. When they’re not writing for their debut solo album, River is back on the road backed by a full band of heavy hitters, a growing collection of never-before-heard songs, and a sterling reputation for raw, emotionally charged performances. River continues to captivate audiences and connect with new fans with an unmistakable sound that appeals to a wide-spectrum of music fans: classic country purists, indie rockers, pop lovers, and beyond. Their handpicked band is stacked with badass talent and musical prowess, from the hypnotic drums to the ripping lead guitar, from the soul-grounding bass to the heart-soaring pedal steel. Onstage and off, River Shook isn’t just an artist – they’re a force of nature
McKinney, MAMA, and Grace Cambell
McKinney is a bass player and singer-songwriter. She spent her formative years in southern West Virginia where she literally LIVED inside a music school. Deeply incapable of leaving the Appalachian mountains, but needing an escape from her 6,000 person hometown, she landed right around the bend in Asheville, NC. When McKinney isn’t on stage you might find her teaching music lessons at LEAF Global Arts, working shows at The Orange Peel, or at lock on the rugby pitch. McKinney’s music genre is about as fluid as the average Asheville resident’s sexuality. Her Indie Pop sound is blended with influence from her blues singer mother, a BFA in Jazz, and the 8 year old version of herself that just wants to play classic rock. Although pinning down her genre may be hard, you can consistently expect sad lyrics. You will probably enjoy her lyricism if you are emotionally suppressed and enjoy listening to sad songs to make yourself feel better. MAMA is a Soul Shakin’ Blues project from Asheville, NC. Fronted by Melissa McKinney, a vocalist known for her raw power, emotional delivery, and genuine connection with her audience, the band is quickly making a name for themselves in the blues world. MAMA earned Second Place at the International Blues Challenge this year in Memphis, TN. They also won the Merlefest Band Competition in 2025. Beyond their accolades, Melissa is a leader in the Asheville arts community. She serves as Programming Director for LEAF Global Arts, is the co-founder of the WTF (Women to the Front) Music Festival, and a board member of AVL Fest.
An Evening With Possum Jenkins
Addison Johnson (album release show) w/ Greg Payne (The Piedmont Boys)
Blue Cactus with Molly & Kate
Rooted in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Blue Cactus got their start among the active honky-tonk circuit, developing an electrified twang that now branches out effortlessly into folk, alt-country, and psychedelic-tinged rock. Having released three records to critical acclaim, they have grown a cult following in the South and beyond, their introspective lyricism and blistering guitar techniques making the band potent in the studio and on stage. Their 2025 album Believer was hailed in Bandcamp’s Best New Country list and earned them slots on SXSW, Hopscotch Fest’s main stage opening for Geese and My Morning Jacket, and PBS’ new original series, Shaped By Sound. Blue Cactus have toured throughout the US, developing a dedicated cult following. From intimate clubs to major festival stages, Blue Cactus is known for connecting deeply with audiences wherever they go.
