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The Arts Intel Report

A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler
A Cultural Compass
For the World Traveler

Big Ears Festival

Mar 26–29, 2020

“Without any doubt the best festival I have played in,” a renowned musician told me. Its elephantine auricle takes in not only music of many genres but film, readings, installations, and workshops, too. This year’s lineup includes Patti Smith, Rob Schwimmer’s Theremin Noir, ur-Minimalist Terry Riley, 25-year-old YouTube-taught fiddler-songwriter Sudan Archives, and 75th-birthday-boy Anthony Braxton, who will offer a rare solo set as well as the world debut of his 11-piece Thunder Music Ensemble. —E.E.