This fall, locals and music lovers alike congregate at the Vilar Performing Arts Center to discover exceptional under-the-radar and emerging music artists. The year-round program, known as Love For The Locals, is a musical celebration, hosting nights centered around community with curated performances, accessible pricing and perks. This program will offer a limited time fall pass which will showcase exceptional artists, both emerging and established, that speak to the heart of our mountain community. The fall pass offering builds on the legacy and tradition of the Vilar’s former Underground Sound series.
Every performance dubbed ‘Love For The Locals’ is chosen with quality being the number one factor. The Vilar’s programming team starts with the genres and categories of entertainment that are currently resonating in the region and appearing frequently on festival and regional venue schedules. Then they dig deep, through agency rosters, playlists, music publications and beyond to find artists that are of a supreme quality, but that many people have never heard of. The goal of the series, in part, is to introduce our community to amazing emerging artists across a wide variety of musical styles at an insanely affordable price.
The Love For The Locals Fall Pass is $125 and includes a ticket to all five shows as well as one free drink at each performance. Show tickets in the pass are transferable and ideal for friends and co-workers to divvy up – or to gift!
This fall’s lineup features an impressive group of artists including:
FRIDAY, SEPT. 25 | HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER – Hiss Golden Messenger is the acclaimed musical project of North Carolina singer, songwriter and producer M.C. Taylor, blending folk, country, soul and gospel with thoughtful, poetic songwriting. Across multiple critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated albums, the project has earned a devoted following for its warmth, emotional depth and authentic storytelling. The forthcoming I’m People explores resilience, community and hope.
This show is for you if you also love: Wilco, Fruit Bats, Deer Tick, Jason Isbell, My Morning Jacket
SATURDAY, OCT. 3 | TOM RUSH – Tom Rush is a celebrated musician known for his distinctive guitar style, expressive voice, and engaging storytelling. A key figure in the 1960s folk revival, he influenced artists like James Taylor and Garth Brooks while introducing audiences to songwriters such as Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne. His album The Circle Game helped usher in the singer-songwriter era. After a break in the 1970s, he returned to sold-out shows and launched the Club 47 concert series, showcasing established and emerging talent. Today, he continues to perform and write music, remaining an influential figure in American folk music.
This show is for you if you also love: Arlo Guthrie, Emmylou Harris, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, James Taylor
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7 | ALYSHA BRILLA – Alysha Brilla is a three-time JUNO Award-nominated songwriter, producer and electrifying performer whose distinctive sound blends her Indo-Tanzanian heritage with global percussion, guitar and soaring vocals. Joined by a powerhouse ensemble, Brilla creates an energetic, interactive live experience rooted in rhythm, storytelling and connection. Having performed at major festivals worldwide, including the Montreal Jazz Festival and WOMAD, she brings an uplifting global sound to the stage with a new album arriving in 2026.
This show is for you if you also love: Corinne Bailey Rae, Missy Higgins, Nelly Furtado, Lily Allen, Amos Lee, Silk Rhodes
FRIDAY, OCT. 16 | SANTA RIOS: A TRIBUTE TO CARLOS SANTANA – “You Can’t Not Dance!” Santa Rios brings the electrifying sound of Carlos Santana to life, faithfully recreating music from his legendary five-decade career. This powerful nine-piece ensemble blends Afro-Cuban rhythms, blues and rock, performing everything from Santana’s psychedelic jams to the timeless hits of Supernatural and beyond. With incredible musicianship and infectious energy, Santa Rios delivers a joyous, dance-worthy experience for longtime Santana fans and newcomers alike.
This show is for you if you also love: Carlos Santana, Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Frank Zappa
TUESDAY, OCT. 27 | YEISON LANDERO – Yeison Landero is a leading voice in Colombian Cumbia and the grandson of legendary “King of Cumbia” Andrés Landero, carrying forward his family’s rich musical tradition with virtuosic accordion playing. His music has reached prestigious stages including the Kennedy Center, Hollywood Bowl and Mexico City’s Auditorio Nacional, earning him the “Congo de Oro” at Barranquilla’s Carnival in 2023. Blending tradition with innovation, Landero brings Cumbia to new audiences while celebrating Colombian culture, nature and the music’s enduring spirit.
This show is for you if you also love: Buena Vista Social Club, Gipsy Kings, Tito Puente, Django Reinhardt