"The noon slot at a festival is not exactly desirable; audiences don't tend to show up till mid-afternoon, leaving acts to play to just a few people. Not so at Big Ears, where they program some of the most anticipated sets of the festival in those opening slots and keep things interesting and exciting all day."
"There was a line around the block to see John Zorn's 12 PM performance at Knoxville's Bijou Theatre on Friday. This was the first set in a two-day takeover of the Bijou, and a performance of 'Masada 1' with the original lineup of Zorn on sax, Greg Cohen on bass, Dave Douglas on trumpet, and Joey Baron on drums."
"When Bärtsch plays the piano, he plays all of it, with one hand on the keys and the other inside on the strings themselves, creating atmospheric touches like storm effects."
"The twist this time is that the big black box they play in is made entirely of LED screens, including the floor, allowing for some clever visual accompaniment - including one segment by John Wilson and a part of the show specific to the city they're in."
Big Ears festival stands out by programming highly anticipated acts during early slots, drawing large crowds. John Zorn's performance at noon attracted a long line, showcasing the festival's appeal. Despite missing Zorn, attendees can easily find captivating performances nearby, such as Swiss pianist Nik Bärtsch's atmospheric solo at St. John's Cathedral. David Byrne's second night at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium featured a creative continuation of his American Utopia show, enhanced by LED screens and a dynamic ensemble, offering a mix of Talking Heads material and new selections.
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