Concerts coming to Knoxville in spring 2024, from Ashanti to PAW Patrol to Zach Bryan

Musician and rapper André 3000 (playing multiple flutes), Grammy and Oscar winner Jon Batiste and recent Beyoncé collaborator Rhiannon Giddens will be among the many artists in Knoxville for the Big Ears Festival in March, but other hot musical acts and entertainers will be in town all spring.

Country stars Tim McGraw, Dan + Shay, Bonnie Raitt, Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers are making tour stops here. Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind and Fire are bringing classic R&B tunes, while Nelly and Ashanti will take us back to the early 2000s sound.

You also have the chance to rock out with Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Rick Springfield and REO Speedwagon or delight in Knoxville symphony music or the theater tunes of “Hadestown.”

Comedians Pete Davidson and Gabriel Iglesias, and even the “Golden Girls” will be bringing the laughs. The “PAW Patrol” crew will be here, too. And there’s so much more!

Check out the major concerts, comedians and shows coming to Knoxville this spring.

The Fab Four

March 1 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium

• Experience one of the most popular Beatles tribute bands as they perform songs from “Rubber Soul,” the Beatles’ sixth album, released in 1965. Since 1997, the award-winning tribute band has amazed Beatles fans across the globe by celebrating all eras of the iconic band, complete with costume changes.

• Tickets: $42+

• Showtime: 7:30 p.m.

'Hadestown'

March 5-10 – Tennessee Theatre

• “Hadestown” grabs audiences from the first song and never lets go. This musical intertwines two mythic love stories, between young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and his wife Persephone. The haunting musical is the winner of eight Tony awards, including best musical. The show runs for eight performances in Knoxville.

• Tickets: $112+. Check Ticketmaster.com for availability.

• Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. March 5-7; 8 p.m. March 8-9; 2 p.m. March 9; 1:30 p.m. March 10; 7 p.m. March 10

Knoxville Jazz Orchestra with Doreen Ketchens

March 5 – Bijou Theatre

• Join the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra for a musical trip to the Big Easy, filled with well-known classics and a lot of fun! The jazz orchestra presents “Way Down Yonder” with clarinetist and vocalist Doreen Ketchens. The musician has been nicknamed “Lady Louie” and “Miss Satchmo,” and she’s made appearances on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “CBS Sunday Morning” and HBO’s “Treme.”

• Tickets: $19-$44

• Showtime: 8 p.m.

Sarah Jarosz

March 8 – Bijou Theatre

• Americana singer-songwriting Sarah Jarosz released her seventh album, “Polaroid Lovers,” in January. The four-time Grammy winner explored a richer and more electric sound for the album while living in Nashville and working with top musicians and producers.

• Tickets: $30-$50

• Showtime: 8 p.m.

Lucero

March 8 – Mill and Mine

• The country-punk band has a distinct sound that blends rock, soul and country while remaining true to its punk roots foundation when the group formed in Memphis back in the late ‘90s. The band’s 12th album, “Should’ve Learned by Now,” was released in 2023.

• Tickets: $37

• Showtime: 8 p.m.

Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top

March 15 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

• Celebrate 50 years of Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top during the “Sharp Dressed Simple Man” tour. Lynyrd Skynyrd popularized the Southern rock genre with songs such as “Sweet Home Alabama and “Simple Man." ZZ Top is known for rock and blues hits “Tush," "Gimme All Your Lovin'" and “Sharp Dressed Man.”

• Tickets: $49+

• Showtime: 7 p.m.

Dan + Shay

March 16 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

• The popular country duo and "The Voice" coaches make a Knoxville stop on the “Heartbreak on the Map” tour. Their latest album "Bigger Houses" was released last year. Since hitting the charts in 2013, Dan + Shay has earned eight No. 1 Billboard singles on country radio, three Grammy awards, multi-platinum albums and more than 13 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

• Tickets: $49+

• Showtime: 7 p.m.

Laura Jane Grace

March 16 – Bijou Theatre

• Punk rock star Laura Jane Grace has fronted the band Against Me! since the late ‘90s. Now, she’s stepped out on her own with her second solo album, “Hole in My Head.” Grace has explored themes of political commentary, environmentalism, social critique and candid introspection, especially following her gender transition in 2012.

• Tickets: $31.50-$36.50

• Showtime: 7:30 p.m.

Big Ears Festival

March 21-24 – Various venues

• The 2024 Big Ears Festival runs March 21 through March 24, featuring André 3000, Jon Batiste, Herbie Hancock, Rhiannon Giddens and many more.

• Offering over 200 performances, the festival brings together artists and music lovers from all over the world. Several venues including Bijou Theatre, Knoxville Civic Auditorium, Mill and Mine and Tennessee Theatre will host artists. Check bigearsfestival.org for more details.

• Tickets: $115+

Gabriel Iglesias

March 22 – Knoxville Civic Coliseum

• The “fluffy” comedian is ready to make Knoxville laugh. Gabriel Iglesias is the second highest grossing touring comedian and is one of the most watched on YouTube, with over 1.1 billion views. He stars on the Netflix comedy series “Mr. Iglesias” and has released two standup special through the streaming service.

• Tickets: $51.50+

• Showtime: 8 p.m.

BANFF Film Festival

March 25-27 – Bijou Theatre

• The three-night Banff Mountain Film Festival features three sets of different films. It’s one of the largest mountain film festivals in the world. This year’s curated collection will take audiences on a thought-provoking expedition with tales of human resilience, environmental stewardship and daring feats of athleticism.

• A portion of ticket sales benefits the Legacy Parks Foundation, Appalachian Mountain Bike Club, Knoxville and the BUSAR Foundation.

• Tickets: $25-$60

• Showtimes: 7 p.m. for all three nights

REO Speedwagon with Rick Springfield

March 27 – Knoxville Civic Coliseum

• Classic rock mainstays REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield embark on a limited co-headlining tour. REO Speedwagon has released 13 Top 40 hits and sold over 40 million records worldwide. They’re known for the hits “Can’t Fight This Feeling” and “Keep On Loving You.”

• Springfield is a 1980s icon and known for his albums “Working Class Dog” (1981) and “Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet” (1982). The Grammy winner has consistently toured and has sold over 20 million albums.

• Tickets: $50+

• Showtime: 7 p.m.

PAW Patrol Live!

March 29-30 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium

• It’s Pirate Day in Adventure Bay, and Ryder and the Paw Patrol team need all paws on deck while on a mission to rescue Cap’n Turbot from a mysterious cavern. Join Chase, Marshall and Skye for “The Great Pirate Adventure.” The features music and dance and brings “Paw Patrol” to life.

• Tickets: $33+

• Showtimes: 6 p.m. March 29; 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. March 30

Pete Davidson

March 30 – Tennessee Theatre

• Standup comedian Pete Davidson is the creator and star of Peacock’s “Bupkis,” a fictionalized comedy-drama of Davidson’s life. Davidson starred on “Saturday Night Live” from 2014 to 2022, and in the films “The King of Staten Island,” “Trainwreck” and “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.” He was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2022.

• Tickets: $44.50-$79.50

• Showtimes: 7 and 9:30 p.m.

'To Kill A Mockingbird'

April 2-7 – Tennessee Theatre

• Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is brought to the stage in a new play written by Oscar winner Aaron Sorkin and directed by Tony winner Bartlett Sher. The play is a coming-of-age story of Scout and Jem Finch as their father Atticus defends a Black man falsely accused of rape in 1930s Alabama. Emmy winner Richard Thomas plays Atticus.

• Tickets: Check tennesseetheatre.com for availability

• Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. April 2-4; 8 p.m. April 5-6; 2 p.m. April 6; 1:30 p.m. April 7; 7 p.m. April 7

Sam Hunt

April 4 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

• Country singer Sam Hunt’s "Outskirts” tour comes to Food City Center. His recent music efforts include songs "Outskirts" and "Came the Closest," No. 1 single, "23," and two top 20 hits, including the Ingrid Andress duet "Wishful Drinking."

• Tickets: $51+

• Showtime: 7:30 p.m.

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors

April 4 – Mill and Mine

• Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors are bringing people from all walks of life together through music on the “Find Your People” tour. Fronted by Memphis and Nashville native Drew Holcomb, the Americana band released the “Strangers No More” album last year. The band recently was the musical guest on the late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

• Tickets: $37+

• Showtime: 8 p.m.

'Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue'

April 5 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium

• Miami's sassiest seniors are back! A parody of the classic TV show, this stage show imagines what hijinks the ladies would be getting into in 2024. Starring male actors as Blanche, Sophia, Dorothy and Rose, this year’s show follows Sophia out on bail after being busted by the DEA, Blanche and Rose have founded a hook-up app for seniors and Dorothy is trying to hold it all together with help from her much younger lover.

• Tickets: $45+

• Showtime: 8 p.m.

Tyler Childers

April 16 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

• Fresh from this year’s Grammy awards with five nominations, Tyler Childers and his longtime band, the Food Stamps, are on tour in support of the “Rustin’ in the Rain” album. Childers had a monumental 2023 with the music video for his single, “In Your Love.” It became a viral and critical hit and has over nine million views on YouTube and 30 million streams.

• Tickets: Check Ticketmaster.com for availability and resale options

• Showtime: 7:30 p.m.

Ashley McBryde

April 20 – Tennessee Theatre

• The country singer-songwriter earned critical acclaim with her 2019 hit “One Night Standards.” She released “The Devil I Know” last year, her fourth studio album. McBryde has won a Grammy from six nominations, one CMA Award and three Academy of Country Music Awards, and is a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

• Tickets: $35-$75

• Showtime: 8 p.m.

MercyMe

April 21 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

• Christian band MercyMe is on the “Always Only Jesus” tour. The group released the "Always Only Jesus" album in 2022 but is best known for the popular crossover song “I Can Only Imagine,” which is also the name of a 2018 biographical film about the band.

• Tickets: $39+

• Showtime: 7 p.m.

The Price is Right Live

April 24 – Tennessee Theatre

• Come on down! The Price is Right Live is an interactive stage show that gives you the chance to play the games from the popular long-running game show. Prizes include appliances, vacations and possibly a new car! The traveling stage version is not televised.

• Tickets: $35-$80

• Showtimes: 7:30 p.m.

Futurebirds

April 25 – Mill and Mine

• Psychedelic country is the Futurebirds sound. The band is known for its high-energy shows and country rock-infused sound that incorporates four-part harmonies supported by pedal steel guitar, rhythmic percussion, banjo, mandolin, and acoustic and electric guitars. Futurebirds released the live album, “Thanks Y’all” in 2023 and an EP, “Bloomin’ Too” in 2022.

• Tickets: $30+

• Showtime: 8 p.m.

Tim McGraw

April 26 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

• Grab your cowboy hats for Tim McGraw! The country superstar’s tour is in support of his 17^th studio album, “Standing Room Only,” which was released last year. McGraw has been a country music star since the early 1990s and is known for songs such as “Live Like You Were Dying,” “Humble and Kind” and “It’s Your Love” with wife and fellow country superstar Faith Hill.

• Tickets: $51+

• Showtime: 7 p.m.

Shen Yun

April 27-28 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium

• Celebrate China’s rich heritage and culture through artistic expression. Through dance and music, Shen Yun’s artists tell stories of love, loss, humor and heroic deeds and bring back to life 5,000 years of battles, dynasties, oppression and spirituality.

• Tickets: $99+

• Showtimes: 7 p.m. April 27; 1 p.m. April 28

Nelly, Ashanti and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

April 27 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

• Hip-hop and R&B royalty is “Spinning the Block” in Knoxville. Coming onto the music scene in the early 2000s, Nelly and Ashanti are known for No. 1 albums and songs. Nelly is known for hits “Hot in Herre,” “Dilemma,” and “Shake Ya Tailfeather,” and Ashanti topped the charts with “Foolish,” “Baby,” and "Rock wit U (Awww Baby).”

• The music and romantic duo will be joined by hip-hop group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.

• Tickets: $87+

• Showtime: 7:30 p.m.

Bonnie Raitt

May 1 – Tennessee Theatre

• Blues legend and guitarist Bonnie Raitt won the Grammy award for Song of the Year in 2023 with “Just Like That,” the title track of her 18th album. The “Something to Talk About” singer is bringing her “Just Like That” tour to the Tennessee Theatre. Raitt has released multiple hits and won multiple awards since the early 1970s. She is one of the few women who play guitar using the bottleneck technique.

• Tickets: $89.50-$119.50

• Showtime: 7:30 p.m.

Lukas Nelson + POTR

May 1 – Mill and Mine

• Country-rock group Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, also known as Lukas Nelson + POTR, is slated to perform songs from its 2023 album “Sticks and Stones.” The album received praise for its deep lyrics and diverse sounds. It peaked at No. 10 on the Americana albums chart.

• Fronted by Lukas Nelson, son of country music legend Willie Nelson, the band gained acclaim as Neil Young’s backing band and is known for its unique blend of country, rock, and folk influences.

• Tickets: $35

• Showtime: 8 p.m.

Harry Potter in Concert

May 3-4 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium

• Watch “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone” in high-definition on a 40-foot screen while a live symphony orchestra performs every note of John Williams' unforgettable score.

• Tickets: $64+

• Showtime: 7:30 p.m. May 3; 1:30 p.m. May 4

'Stomp'

May 7-9 – Tennessee Theatre

• What’s all that noise about? Matchboxes, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, paint cans, tractor tires and much more create the energizing beats of “Stomp,” an invigorating stage show of dance, music and theatricality that has excited audiences for decades. The percussive hit has been updated featuring new routines and a few surprises.

• Tickets: $56+

• Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. for all three shows

Prof

May 7 – Mill and Mine

• Independent rapper Prof is from Minnesota and is hitting the national stage on “The Gallery Tour” following the release of his latest album, “Horse.” “If you’ve seen me live, you know the (show) is fine art,” he said in the tour announcement. Prof combines “blue-collar hard work and unimpeachable content with never taking himself too seriously,” according to his bio.

• Tickets: $36.50

• Showtime: 8 p.m.

Treaty Oak Revival

May 8 – Mill and Mine

• The country rock band added a second date to its Knoxville stop after the May 9 show quickly sold out at Mill and Mine. Treaty Oak Revival combines the Texas red dirt sound with southern rock and punk influences. The band's newest album “Have A Nice Day” was released last year. The group formed in 2019 and hails from West Texas.

• Tickets: $34.50

• Showtime: 8 p.m.

Zach Bryan

May 9-10 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

• Country music singer-songwriter Zach Bryan in on tour following the release of his fourth album, a self-titled project. Bryan initially was slated to play only one show at Food City Center, but a second date was added due to popular demand. His recent hits include “I Remember Everything" with Kacey Musgraves, “Something in the Orange” and “Dawns” with Maggie Rogers.

• Tickets: $224+. Check Ticketmaster.com for availability and resale options.

• Showtime: 7 p.m.

'Purple Rain' by Black Jacket Symphony

May 10 – Knoxville Civic Auditorium

• Black Jacket Symphony performs Prince’s iconic “Purple Rain” album note-for-note from beginning to end. Over the past 13 years, the Black Jacket Symphony has recreated over 40 classic rock albums, bringing an incredible night of entertainment to over a million music lovers across the country.

• Tickets: $42.50

• Showtime: 8 p.m.

Kevin Gates

May 11 – Knoxville Civic Coliseum

• Kevin Gates has “2 Phones” and he’s calling Knoxville. The rapper is making a stop at the Civic Coliseum on “The Ceremony” tour in support of his fourth album. “The Ceremony" was released in January and has spawned three singles, “God Slippers,” “Yonce Freestyle” and “Birds Calling.”

• Tickets: $51.50+

• Showtime: 8 p.m.

The Ghost Inside

May 15 – Mill and Mine

• Metalcore band The Ghost Inside performs in Knoxville a month after the release of its new album, “Searching for Solace.” The album ushers in a new era for the band, focusing more on vocals and song structure. “Wash It Away” is the latest single and is the name of the spring tour.

• Tickets: $36.50

• Showtime: 7 p.m.

Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire

May 23 – Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center

• Sing all night long with music legends Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind and Fire. The artists are collaborating on tour that promises to be a fun party.

• Richie, a current “American Idol” judge, is known for hits such as “Say You, Say Me,” “Hello” and “All Night Long.” And Earth, Wind and Fire has many hits beyond the classic “September” and is one of the best-selling groups of all time.

• Tickets: $52+

• Showtime: 7:30 p.m.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly known as Twitter @dturner1208.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville concerts, comedians and shows coming in spring 2024