A Unique Collaboration at Big Ears Festival
The Big Ears Festival, held in Knoxville, Tennessee, is known for its unique and eclectic mix of musical performances. This year, the festival will feature a special collaboration between The Avett Brothers and Mike Patton, making their live debut with the AVTT/PTTN project. This performance will be available as a separately ticketed add-on on March 28, offering an exclusive experience for fans.
While the event is open to anyone, passholders will have early access and "preferred pricing for reserved seats," according to a release from Big Ears. Remaining tickets will be made available to the general public, allowing more people to enjoy this unique performance.
AVTT/PTTN, the title of their collaboration and the album set to drop on November 14, has been described as "one of the most unexpected collaborations of this (or any) year" by Consequence of Sound. Two singles, "Eternal Love" and "Heaven's Breath," have already received positive reviews from critics, generating excitement around the project.
The Avett Brothers and Mike Patton: A Musical Journey
The Avett Brothers, hailing from North Carolina, are well-known in the folk-rock scene. They are four-time Grammy nominees and have toured globally for decades, earning them a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association. Their music often blends traditional folk elements with modern rock influences, creating a sound that resonates with a wide audience.
Mike Patton, on the other hand, is known for his work with alternative acts like Faith No More and Mr. Bungle. He has also collaborated with Big Ears alumnus John Zorn, who is returning to the festival in 2026. In addition to his musical endeavors, Patton has composed music for films, including "A Place Beyond The Pines," and founded his own record label, Ipecac Recordings.
Excitement and Anticipation
“We have saved our virgin live performance for a worthy suitor … and they have Big Ears," Patton said in the news release. “We are delighted to be playing at this exciting and forward-thinking festival.”
AVTT/PTTN joins two additional separately ticketed events for Big Ears Festival 2026. Headliners Robert Plant and David Byrne will present two performances of "Who is the Sky?" as part of the lineup. Like with AVTT/PTTN, festival passholders will have early access to preferred pricing and reserved seating before public tickets go on sale.
"Exact days of the presale and on-sale will be announced by Big Ears within the next couple of weeks," the release said about AVTT/PTTN.
Expanding the Festival Experience
Another significant change for the festival in 2026 is the addition of comedy, featuring former "Late Late Show" bandleader Reggie Watts. Other notable performers scheduled for next year's festival include Flying Lotus, SHABAKA, Terry Allen, Perfume Genius, and MJ Lenderman & The Wind.
For more information about the festival, visit bigearsfestival.org. This event promises to be a memorable experience for attendees, showcasing a diverse range of talents and genres.
Ryan Wilusz is the business growth and development editor. You can reach him at 865-317-5138 or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Instagram @knoxscruff.
Support strong local journalism by subscribing to subscribe.knoxnews.com. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: The Avett Brothers debuting new AVTT/PTTN collab in Knoxville at public Big Ears concert.
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