Dr. Bacon
DR. BACON is a 7 Piece touring Appalachian Funk, Grass and Rock & Roll band. Blending incredibly diverse instrumentation with broad, deep musical influences, allows the band to perform a plethora of widely accessible, danceable music. The Dr. Bacon Live Experience is truly a spectacle to behold, bringing the audience on a musical Journey that lulls and spikes in energy, caressing ears with lush beauty and whipping crowds into a tribal romp, shaking booties and shedding inhibitions. This manic versatility ensures that no matter what genre of music you identify with most, you will hear something that resonates. Dr. Bacon started playing together in 2012 on King Street in Boone as a 3 piece busking with acoustic bluegrass, folk, and 90s pop/rock/hip-hop influenced music. Several lineup changes over the years and a move to Asheville have refined and redirected the band’s sound, incorporating funk, rock, soul, psychedelic and world music to Appalachian influences. The blending of several elements of these genres (often within the same song) along with unique instrumentation is the real Bacon flavor.
Crystal Bright
Intricate and musically challenging, the vocals of Ms. Bright takes the listener on a macabre but beautiful trip through her imagination. Utilizing accordions, muted trumpets, organs, musical saws and other unusual instruments, Bright and her musical cohorts create a world that is dark and dreamy, timeless and otherworldly.
— Jeff Eason – Mountain Times
Noah Proudfoot
From the Appalachian Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, Noah Proudfoot is a songwriter, producer, and DJ with a simple mission- to uplift and inspire humanity through the gift of music. His heartfelt lyrics reflect the sensitivity of a seasoned writer, as he artfully weaves personal stories together with the full spectrum of the human experience. Always aware of the silver lining, his songs resonate with redemption and hope, lifting his listeners up and holding their hearts with intention. Over the years he’s had the opportunity to share stages with national acts such as Matisyahu, Gone Gone Beyond, Yaima, and Satsang. Currently, Noah is working on his third studio album- his most expansive collection of songs yet. From folk-tronic to world music and stripped down acoustic, each song is a universe unto itself, inviting listeners into the lush, colorful soundscapes of his imagination.
jAndr
jAndr is a family of musicians and artists from central and Eastern North Carolina. jAndr_music is the brainchild of bassist Matt Grady and keyboardist Santel Reid. The Indy/Soul band has performed at some of the hottest festivals in NC including Shakori Hills and We the Roses. They have also collaborated with artists such as Aarik Duncan of NiiTO, Donnie Deneil from Duck, and the internationally known MC Tanajah.
Tambem
Também is a trio of musicians who compose, record, and perform original works of music together. With a do-it-yourself approach they produce their eclectic, groove-driven music in a home studio, finding inspiration everywhere from Herbie Hancock’s angular improvisations to the contemplative poetics of Rumi to the multi-textural otherworldliness of Brazilian composer Hermeto Pascoal. Poetic lyricism, earnest vocals, rhythmic play, improvisation, and a palpable deep listening between Ingrid Knight (piano/vocals), Gastón Reggio (drums), and Andy Powell (bass) all form the trio’s down to earth aesthetic.
Since its inception in 2018, Também has released two studio albums: Esmeralda (2022), and Echo (2023), a project which was funded by the North Carolina Arts Council. Também has shared the stage with legendary players such as flutist Rebecca Kleinmann, guitarist Cesar Garabini, percussionists Caique Vidal & Deborah Rosengarth, trumpeter Gabriel Alegría, drummer Hugo Alcázar, and their music has been featured in several publications including the Revista Arte Brasileira, Somos Grandes, and Roadie Music. Também has brought its colorful soundscape across the Southeast as a featured performer at numerous events including the North Carolina State Fair, Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival, the Koka Booth Amphitheater Jazz Series, Boonerang Festival and the Floyd Yoga Jam.
Também is currently hard at work producing new recordings to be released later in 2025. Always expanding into new sounds, the group engages in a dynamic, collaborative songwriting process that showcases the depth of musical experience that each member of the trio brings to the group. Infusing elements of Brazilian and American music traditions, they create a multifaceted sound that exemplifies the spirit of inclusion and new discovery.
Bedroom Division
Bedroom Division is the recording project from multi-instrumentalist Dylan Wishon, based out of Greensboro, NC. Utilizing reverb heavy guitars with punchy drums and plenty of synths, Bedroom Division fits nicely in the genre family of dream pop, bedroom pop and indie rock.
Diali Cissokho Koratet
The Diali Cissokho Koratet brings together two internationally acclaimed kora musicians whose work blends deep cultural roots with a fresh perspective. United by their devotion to the transformative power of music, Diali and Will bring a rare and distinct blend of their 44 strings, celebrating and crossing cultural boundaries with their presentation of West African kora music.
Diali Cissokho, a virtuoso kora player and percussionist from Senegal, hails from a long line of Manding griots, whose role as historians and storytellers has been passed down through generations. Diali’s music, steeped in his ancestral heritage, merges explosive rhythms with hypnotic grooves, sharing the history, wisdom, and spirit of his culture through song. After years of performing in Senegal and Europe, Diali immigrated to the U.S. in 2010 to continue spreading the beauty of traditional West African music.
Will Ridenour, a kora player and percussionist from Greensboro, NC was drawn to West African music after a life-changing encounter with traditional dance and drumming. Studying in Mali and Senegal, Will’s music blends both traditional and modern global influences with his original melodies. He has performed in 40 states and 28 countries and works with a variety of artistic ventures across North Carolina, including the West African dance band Kaira Ba and Paperhand Puppet Intervention.
Together, the Diali Cissokho Koratet weaves a beautifully unique soundscape, merging individual expertise to uplift and delight audiences. Through their performances, they offer a profound cross-cultural experience, using the universal language of music to heal, connect, and inspire.
Texas Pine
Colleen McMillian (Texas Pine)’s medicine songs are a blend of chant, world, folk, downtempo and dance, which she uses as a conduit to help uplift and potentiate the spiritual evolution of all beings.
Son De Carolina
Story Charlemagne
Story Charlemagne is a lover of stories being told through music. His soulful voice, a blend of folk, finger style, progressive rock and indie sounds leaves you guessing where the song & story will lead.
Lake Chamberlain
Born in the basements of downtown Raleigh back in the Halcyon days of 2017, Lake Chamberlain is a four-piece Jam/Rock/Funk band that just wants you to dance. Each member brings their own honed musical voice and style to the game, giving Lake Chamberlain a unique and unforgettable sound that sticks with you.
Natalie Capes
Natalie Capes is a synth pop/soft rock artist based in NC. She began her musical career in 2016 with her first EP “Static”, which she originally released as a school project. This project sparked a love for writing and producing music, which she has continued to do since then. Natalie released her second self-produced EP in 2021 titled “AM Radio” while attending Appalachian State University. She combines indie and garage rock sound with homegrown synth parts and motifs to create strong, energetic and sometimes weird melodies behind her deep and self exploratory lyrics. Her songs touch on themes like mental health, personal growth, family and friends, and our ever changing perception of reality and escapism. This musical project takes inspiration from and is similar to artists such as Vansire, Jordana, STRFKR, and Annie DiRusso.
Alex Weiss & Steve Fishman
Old timey music with contemporary social commentary and more…
Sam Fanthorpe
Offers an eclectic repertoire ranging from country to western, classical, folk and original work.
Mean Habit
Seething post-punk, raw palpable rage.
MH offers a glimpse into the reality of trauma and recovery within a community: from raw internal struggle to cheeky rage enticing you to act.
Girls’ Girls that aren’t all girls.
Arlo (they/them)- Vocals/Guitar
Dani (she/her) – Bass
Kat (she/they) – Drums
Snack
Snack, also known as Chris O, began his journey in the club scene in 1993 at the age of 17, immersing himself in underground EDM. His passion led him to the UK in 1997, where he delved into hard dance and UK hard house. Returning to the States in 1998, he became a prominent figure in the underground EDM scene, co-founding Sonic Boom and establishing himself as a leading DJ in the region.
Throughout his nearly 30-year career, Snack has shared the stage with renowned artists and played at various venues across NC, TN, and VA. In the mid to late 2000s, he was actively involved in promoting EDM through events and artist management. After a hiatus to focus on family and career, Snack returned to the scene in 2020, this time with a focus on drum and bass, a genre that inspired him initially.
Today, Snack showcases a diverse range of dnb styles influenced by his techno roots, continuing to refine his skills and contribute to the EDM community as a DJ and music enthusiast.
MisChief
MisChief is lover of music. Her high-energy sets are sure to make her a favorite of tech house and electro house fans. Dropping beats since 2007 she’s coming back into the scene after starting a family and loving every second of it. Her new mixes are characterized by their catchy melodies, playful vocals, and driving beats, and are sure to get you moving on the dancefloor.
Cosmic Mike & Cyberflow
Life long best friends tag team.
“With so many ways to communicate at our disposal, we must not forget the transformative power of a live music experience and genuine human exchange.” – Jon Batiste