Big Ears Festival has announced the lineup for its 2027 edition, taking place in venues throughout downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, April 1–4, 2027, including several artists familiar to readers of the Nonesuch Journal, like Vijay Iyer, Brad Mehldau Trio, Jeff Parker ETA IVtet, Josh Johnson, Natalie Merchant, Dirty Projectors' David Longstreth, Gustavo Santaolalla, and Kronos Quartet.

Pianist and composer Vijay Iyer is an artist in residence at Big Ears 2027 and as such leads three events: Music from Scenes of Living and Dying with violinist Jennifer Koh; a set with his Quartet, trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, bassist Linda May Han Oh, and drummer Tyshawn Sorey; and a trio show with sarode player Alam Khan and tabla player Nitin Mitta. Iyer recently made his Nonesuch Records debut with the release of Fifteen from the collective trio with flutist Henry Threadgill and drummer Dafnis Prieto.

Pianist and composer Brad Mehldau returns to Big Ears for a set with his Trio, bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Marcus Gilmore. Mehldau's new album, Fantasy & Reveries, on which he performs his solo compositions Fantasy for Piano and Fourteen Reveries. is due November 13.

Guitarist/bandleader Jeff Parker and ETA IVtet—drummer Jay Bellerose, bassist Anna Butterss, and saxophonist Josh Johnson—bring music from their recent album, Happy Today, and more to Big Ears. The new album comprises two sprawling, LP side–length improvisatory pieces recorded live at Lodge Room in Los Angeles.

Josh Johnson brings music of his upcoming solo album, Animative, due October 23 on International Anthem / Nonesuch Records, to Big Ears with Butterss on bass and Ben Lumsdaine on drums. The composer, producer, saxophonist, and synthesist's new album features contributions from Lumsdaine, Meshell Ndegeocello, Macie Stewart, Marquis Hill, and others.

Natalie Merchant is joined by her longtime collaborator guitarist Erik Della Penna at Big Ears 2027. Cabinet of Wonder, a digital collection of 17 songs and accompanying videos from her collaboration with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Children’s Theatre that reimagines Mother Goose and her rhymes for a new generation of young children, was released last month. This school year, the CSO and CCT will expand their partnership with Chicago Public Schools around the project to 25 schools. Merchant is teaming with the National Head Start Association to lead teacher training sessions, attend educational conferences, and promote the project across the US.

Dirty Projectors' David Longstreth gives a solo performance at Big Ears 2027. He made his Nonesuch debut with the release of Song of the Earth, a song cycle for orchestra and voices, performed with Dirty Projectors and the Berlin-based chamber orchestra s t a r g a z e, in 2025.

Gustavo Santaolalla brings music from his acclaimed 1998 album Ronroco to Big Ears following recent European and South American tours. Ronroco—which takes its name from a South American stringed instrument—was released for the first time on vinyl in a newly remastered edition in 2024.

Kronos Quartet returns to Big Ears this time with Javanese singer, educator, and composer Peni Candra Rini. Three classic Kronos albums—Black Angels, Kronos Quartet Performs Philip Glass, and Clint Mansell's Requiem for a Dream soundtrack—have been released on vinyl in recent years.

The 2027 Big Ears Festival also features music by old friends Bill Frisell, Bronwyn of Molly Tuttle's Golden Highway, Jeff Tweedy, Tristan Perich, and Tyondai Braxton, among others. For all the details and tickets, visit bigearsfestival.com.