Rhiannon Giddens presents American Tunes: Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing at Hellbender by The Orange Peel

Rhiannon Giddens curates a once-in-a-generation gathering for the inaugural show at Hellbender — bringing together Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mavis Staples, and Hurray for the Riff Raff for a joyful celebration of American songs that connect generations. Under open skies along the Swannanoa River, the lineup spans folk, gospel, soul, and roots music rooted in the American South.

Mavis Staples is a civil rights icon and one of the greatest voices in American music. Mary Chapin Carpenter brings decades of award-winning country-folk artistry. Hurray for the Riff Raff performs as a duo. Rhiannon Giddens ties it together as host, MacArthur Fellow, and one of American music's foremost storytellers.

Doors at 4:30 pm, show at 6 pm. All ages. Tickets available online and at The Orange Peel box office at 101 Biltmore Avenue.

Asheville's largest outdoor concert venue sits on three acres along the Swannanoa River at 151 Thompson Street — the former home of Cursus Keme brewery. Operated by the same team behind The Orange Peel, Hellbender opened in summer 2026 with a limited inaugural season and plans for a permanent stage and full programming beginning spring 2027. The amphitheater holds approximately 6,000 and features a general admission lawn, premium and standard seating, shaded awnings, bars, food truck areas, and two entrances. Named for the hellbender, Appalachia's giant aquatic salamander, the venue draws its identity from the region's wildness and resilience.

Locals say Hellbender feels like the outdoor show experience Western North Carolina has been waiting for — open skies, river air, and the same locally-rooted booking sensibility that made The Orange Peel a national landmark. The three-acre site along the Swannanoa hits different when the mountains are in the background and the lineup is stacked.

Hellbender by The Orange Peel

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Rhiannon Giddens presents American Tunes: Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing at Hellbender by The Orange Peel

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