Moogfest adds Terry Riley to line-up; announces outdoor performances in downtown Asheville

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

1

A couple of key updates for this weekend’s Moogfest:

First:

One of the most monumental and influential musical figures of the past century – the composer and performer Terry Riley – will be joining the Moogfest line up this year, presenting a special concert. Although he has chosen to perform mostly acoustic in recent years, Riley will present a rare concert of his legendary electronic keyboard music, including his remarkable A Rainbow In Curved Air, the visionary work which shaped and inspired the music of Pink Floyd, the Who, and countless others, including fellow Moogfest icons Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Tangerine Dream, and, of course, Brian Eno. Riley’s son, the outstanding guitarist, performer and composer Gyan Riley, will also join him in concert. Gyan’s most recent work, Stream of Gratitude, was released on John Zorn’s Tzadik label earlier this year.

And this:

With a growing fest comes a need for more venue space and so, Moogfest is moving outdoors with The Launch Pad at the Renaissance, located in the heart of downtown Asheville. Offering a large open air space in the lush atmosphere of Asheville in autumn, The Launch Pad at the Renaissance will host epic performances beginning in the late afternoon of each day and continuing into the evening.

I think the outdoor area they’re talking about is the big parking lot behind The Renaissance hotel, an area that’s been used for Bele Chere concerts in the past.