Civil Strife is a burst of pyromania illuminating the night sky, expressing the vitality of a riot through amplifiers and percussion. Yet, the recognition of all varieties of styles manifests in our music. We're made in America. Yet, America stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic and from Canada to Mexico. And we represent it all.
WAYNESTOCK 2026
3 DAY FESTIVAL
We in Civil Strife are so proud to be involved in this wonderful event! It's an honor and a privilege and we can't wait to rock the stage with such an amazing line-up this January!
It's Waynestock season, and it's time to rejoice!
More About Waynestock 2026!
These seem like dark times, friends, but Waynestock has always been about lifting one another up amid that darkness, and this year is no different. This year's beneficiary, we're honored to announce, is Centro Hispano, and all of the proceeds from the $10-per-night entry ticket will go to support Centro Hispano’s Family Preparedness Even
These seem like dark times, friends, but Waynestock has always been about lifting one another up amid that darkness, and this year is no different. This year's beneficiary, we're honored to announce, is Centro Hispano, and all of the proceeds from the $10-per-night entry ticket will go to support Centro Hispano’s Family Preparedness Events — POA (power of attorney) legal clinics for Knoxville's immigrant community. According to the organization, "With this generous support, we will not only be able to host monthly clinics at Centro, but also continue building a broader network throughout Knoxville — ensuring families have access to the legal resources they need."
That's the beautiful thing about Waynestock: It started as a fundraiser, and it's remained one throughout its existence, and every year we're honored to donate a small sum of money to an individual or organization that needs some assistance in order to heal, grow, prosper and help others do so. As always, we'll gather at our old stomping grounds, Relix in Happy Holler, and as always, the lineup features some of this scenes stalwart veterans and badass newcomers for three nights of righteous rock 'n' roll that serves as a soundtrack to a literal family reunion.
Thursday night, our annual songwriters-in-the-round brings together Naomi McMahan Music, Steph Cabell Music and Kevin Hyfantis, which warms us up for the retro soul, rock and psychedelia of Corey James Clifton! Our old buddy Mike McGill and the Refills are up next to blow the doors off (and by god, don't forget Mike's Christmas concert o
Thursday night, our annual songwriters-in-the-round brings together Naomi McMahan Music, Steph Cabell Music and Kevin Hyfantis, which warms us up for the retro soul, rock and psychedelia of Corey James Clifton! Our old buddy Mike McGill and the Refills are up next to blow the doors off (and by god, don't forget Mike's Christmas concert on Dec. 22 at The Bijou Theatre to raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee!), and then James Leigh & The Rest will close out night one with a bang!
Friday, we're off and running with the dreamy electropop of singer-songwriter Jorden Albright, followed by a rare reunion of Knoxville's classic merry rockin' pranksters Smokin' Dave and the Premo Dopes! We can't tell you what a treat it is to land these guys, and after they blast us off, Civil Strife steps into the breach to bring us some Crazy Horse-style American rock 'n' roll. From there, it's a one-two indie rock punch by The Band Solstice and Waynestock vets Connor Kelly & The Time Warp! Finally, local super-group SUPER BACHELOR — last seen doing Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at The Pilot Light Halloween bash — will bring us in for a crash landing to close out night two.
Still with us? Good, because night three goes just as hard, with salsa/cumbia/merengue/band Candela getting us dancing early. (Bring your boogie shoes.) Party punk rockers French Toast keep the energy high, and J.Bush will unveil more of his new record, "Tanasi," a goshdern masterpiece of Tennessee hip-hop if there ever was one. (Get out to Barley's Knoxville on Dec. 13 and help him celebrate the release with an all-star show!) Knoxville Poet Laureate and a guy whose songs were touted by John freakin' Prine himself — the one and only RB Morris: Music And Words — takes the stage next, followed by MEGAWEED — killer tunes as only Sam Quinn, Ben McLaughlin and Jake Smith could make them.
And of course, it wouldn't be Waynestock without a finale, would it? For the past two years, the boys in Beare have paid tribute to the icons of popular music who died the year before, and you have not been baptized by rock 'n' roll until you've stood before a stage filled with Knoxville's finest musicians covering some of the massive hits and obscure wonders by those whose talents were lost to death. It truly is a seminally sublime cleansing of the soul that has to be experienced to be believed, but trust us: Once you do, you'll never miss Waynestock again.
Mark your calendars, friends. There's ample time to get a sitter (or heck, bring the kids, because it's all ages) ... save up some scratch for admission and raffle tickets (yep, the raffle will be back) ... and prepare yourself for three nights of love as only Knoxville can give it.