Big Ears 2025 wrapped up with Explosions in the Sky, Rufus Wainwright, Tindersticks, Joan As Police Woman, more (pics)

Big Ears continues to be one of the one of the most fun, well-curated, forward-thinking festivals in the US.

Mar 31, 2025 - 23:44

Big Ears 2025 wrapped up with Explosions in the Sky, Rufus Wainwright, Tindersticks, Joan As Police Woman, more (pics)

Big Ears continues to be one of the one of the most fun, well-curated, forward-thinking, artist-friendly festivals in the US. The 2025 edition wrapped up on Sunday and the day’s programming was another great example of the breadth of programming they do, featuring folk, post-rock, experimental jazz, UK indie legends, iconoclasts, tributes and more.

Sunday had one of the sets I was most looking forward to all weekend: Tindersticks, who are currently on their first North American tour in 16 years. The show did not disappoint. and you should definitely go see them if they’re playing near you.

My night ended with Texas post-rock icons Explosions in the Sky at The Mill & Mine. Like with Lankum’s set the day before, the venue’s barn-like wooden interior feels custom build for giant-sounding rock like EITS. It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen them and I’d forgotten their power to stir up emotions with instrumentals. They had lots of people visibly moved at the show from their many sonic peaks and valleys, not to mention a blinding light show.

I look it pretty easy on Sunday, popping in for a few songs in different venues throughout the late afternoon and early evening. The programming choices felt like they knew people would be tired from festing, and the shows I happened into suited my mood, like Joan as Police Woman at The Standard. I caught a little bit of both Yaya Bey and Mabe Fratti at Jackson Terminal, and spent more time at The Standard for the Big Ears tribute to Susan Alcorn, the pedal steel player who was supposed to perform at the festival this year but died suddenly in January at age 72. Members of her band — Mary Halvorson, Bonnie Lander, Ryan Sawyer, yuniya edi kwon, and Lester St. Louis — performed renditions of some of her songs, and it was a lovely and low-key way to honor her life and music.

I also finally caught Wadada Leo Smith at the final of his many disparate performances during Big Ears. Playing as part of Orange Wave Electric, the experimental, electronic-infused group played songs from Fire Illumination and Obama On The Bridge. When I arrived late into the set there were three drum kits side-by-side set up on stage but only one drummer. What did I miss? Such are the pros and cons of trying to catch little of everything, especially at a festival like Big Ears where nearly everything sounds interesting.

Sunday shows I did not make it to: Rufus Wainwright, Anoushka Shankar, Nels Cline: Consentrik Quartet, múm, and Laraaji.

Check out photos from Big Ears’ final day below and read all of our 2025 coverage here.