Asheville -- Robert Plant, the legendary voice of Led Zeppelin, will take the stage tonight at Asheville's Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, underscoring the city's growing reputation as a premier music destination. The concert, featuring Plant's new band Saving Grace and Suzi Dian, is expected to draw crowds from Buncombe, Hendersonville, and Haywood counties.
The April 1, 2026, performance is part of Plant's spring tour and a celebration of his storied career, including his Grammy-winning collaborations with Alison Krauss. The concert will also boost the local economy through increased tourism. Asheville's entertainment scene is thriving: The Orange Peel, ExploreAsheville.com Arena, and Sierra Nevada Amphitheater hosted more than 20 major acts in 2026, including Waxahatchee, Bob Dylan, Alabama Shakes, and Steep Canyon Rangers.
Asheville's appeal as a festival crossroads is further reinforced by a packed month of entertainment. Lee Fields & Monophonics will perform at The Orange Peel on April 2, followed by Reverend Horton Heat (April 3), Wednesday (April 4), and Emily Scott Robinson at The Grey Eagle (April 8). Food trucks, brews at Highland Brewing, and bluegrass jams at Jack of the Wood enhance the city's vibrant atmosphere. The Downtown After 5 series kicks off on April 17 in Pack Square Park with Sam Burchfield, pairing national acts with local nonprofits like RemixIT Asheville and adding a multicultural vibe to the community.
The surge in entertainment events in Asheville—including immersive art experiences, Asheville Symphony star partnerships, AVL Fest in August, and productions like Spring Awakening in June at the Wortham Center—supports diverse voices and venues while driving visitor spending in Buncombe, Hendersonville, and Haywood counties. This comes as Buncombe County grapples with a rise in homelessness. Homeward Bound served a record 1,160 people in 2025, a trend that has continued into 2026, driven by the impacts of Hurricane Helene and rising housing costs.