New Dawn Starkestra
New Dawn Starkestra is a new collaboration between four heavyweights of the Western North Carolina music scene: vocalist and songwriter Rebekah Todd, guitarist Isaac Hadden, bassist Quinn Sternberg, and drummer Jeff Sipe, a veteran of the jam and jazz worlds known for his work with Aquarium Rescue Unit and beyond. Together, they’ve formed something that feels less like a supergroup and more like a conversation — one that’s unfolding live, night after night. At its core, the band is rooted in trust: each member brings original songs to the table, but there’s no fixed destination. Their sets blend composed material with extended improvisation and unexpected detours. One moment might feel like Southern soul, the next like spacey fusion, and the next like something you’ve never quite heard before. It’s not genre-hopping — it’s just what happens when four players actually listen to one another. What separates New Dawn Starkestra is their ability to stretch out without losing the thread. The musicianship is airtight, but it never gets in the way of the emotional core. They’re not afraid of silence, or space, or slowness — and when the energy builds, it feels earned. Their shows aren’t about replication; they’re about discovery. In their short time together, they’ve already begun turning heads at venues and festivals throughout the Southeast, with performances that feel more like experiences than sets. There’s no spectacle here, no posturing. Just four artists showing up, tuning in, and chasing whatever spark happens to catch that night.
Frute w/ Ajeva
Frute is a psych rock collective based in Atlanta, GA. The group features Alo Ver’s etherealvocals, which perfectly complement the band’s deep grooves and shimmering soundscapes.With a strong focus on live improvisation, their music blends crisp, catchy synthesizers,unconventional guitar tones, and a dynamic rhythm section. Whether performing live orrecording in the studio, their sound strikes a captivating balance between atmospheric depthand infectious danceability
Big Shrimp w/ Royal Jelly
Big Shrimp, the young and hungry quartet formed in 2024 and based in Bridgeport, CT, delivers a unique blend of masterful, high energy guitar work and well-crafted songwriting. Their extensive repertoire includes over 100 original songs that balance complexity with a straightforward appeal. The band builds on the foundation laid by its now inactive predecessor, Baked Shrimp. The musicians in their mid-20’s have performed at major festivals like Peach Music Festival, Summer Camp Music Festival, Northlands Live, and Mile of Music, and have shared the stage with notable acts such as Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead, The Disco Biscuits, Dopapod, Twiddle, and Andy Frasco & The U.N. w/ Royal Jelly (Greensboro)
Organ Fairchild
Isaac Hadden
Isaac Hadden is a young, genre-smashing guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader currently based in Asheville, NC. His cutting-edge playing style and animated stage presence, combined with his passion and talent, have built him a dedicated fan base in the United States and abroad. His touring unit is a heavy-hitting all-star quartet quickly gaining notoriety on the music festival circuit and the East Coast jam scene for high-energy performances and tight, dynamic improvisation. In addition to his projects, Isaac’s work ethic and versatility make him a frequent call among musicians and festivals across the country who seek the unique brand of sensitive yet virtuosic guitar playing that Hadden brings to every stage. From a young age, Isaac has had the privilege of joining some of the hottest acts on the national circuit, including Keller Williams, Leftover Salmon, Andy Frasco & the U.N., Big Something, Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, Roosevelt Collier, Jeff Sipe Trio, DJ Logic, Kanika Moore, Dogs in a Pile, Larry Keel Experience, Susto, Neighbor, and numerous others. Isaac’s musicianship, dedication, and high-energy performances have solidified him as one of the southeast’s fastest-growing young talents.
Ranford Almond x Frute
Ajeva w/ The Captain Midnight Band
Ajeva is a funk rock band from St Petersburg FL known for their distinctive genre-bending songwriting and powerful live performances. The band has consistently toured venues across the southeast and has made appearances at national and regional festivals such as Suwannee Hulaween, Brainquility Music Festival, Orange Blossom Jamboree and has opened for national acts such as The Wailers, The Polish Ambassador and many more. Ajeva is a polished live act that has played over 750 shows since their inception. The band has carved a unique sound of their own fusing elements of funk, rock, and improv based music, soaring guitar leads, distinct vocals, and heavy and melodic riffs that pair perfectly with deep grooves. Every Ajeva show is one of a kind experience with the band taking their songs to different places and new heights every night. The Captain Midnight Band is the world’s foremost purveyor of “Waterbed Rock & Roll” – a unique hybrid of Jam/Rock/R&B with a heavy emphasis on visuals and humor. Five albums, a few singles and a near decade of consistent touring have earned the band an every-growing fanbase of open-minded music lovers who demand adventurous entertainment.
The Slys and The Isaac Hadden Quartet
An evening with Organ Fairchild
Hailed as a “fast-rising NY band” by Live For Live Music, and a group that’s “making waves in the scene” by JamBase, Organ Fairchild craft their organ-trio-meets-rock-band sound — described as “adventurous, vital and alive” by Glide Magazine — by synthesizing influences ranging from The Grateful Dead and The Meters to Steely Dan, Pat Metheny and Medeski Martin & Wood. And when they’re on stage completely captivating an audience without a bass player – and nobody singing – there is no confusing them for any other artist on today’s scene. As FunkCity writes, “Get ready to be bowled over by this terrific trio – old school funk with new era notions of jam.”
Keith Allen & Friends Holiday Show
Keith Allen & Friends Holiday Show featuring: Hunter McBride, Ashley Sutton, and Justin Loew.
