(Ed Note: Today’s article by contributing writer, Leslie Bateman.)
Three-hundred sixty-four days a year, The Pilot Light devotes itself to being an incubator and oasis for original music – i.e. sorry, no cover bands. Holding space for “experimental or independent forms of artistic expression underrepresented in the local culture and popular culture at large” is even enshrined in the nonprofit venue’s bylaws.
Founder Jason Boardman explains the intention: “It is explicitly in our mission to present new music and encourage people to write their own music.”
But for one evening each year, all bets are off. On Halloween night, The Pilot Light bends its own rules, hosting an annual rock’n’roll masquerade fundraiser given over to a wild and impossible lineup of cover bands.
The tradition began in 2002. Founder Jason Boardman recalls kicking around a Joy Division cover with the band he was in at the time, Dark Logic, even though they were “very explicitly against covers.” The concept was born for a Halloween show, wherein local musicians put together cover bands for a one-night-and-one-night-only performance. Over the years, it has evolved into a beloved tradition, with over 120 bands covering everyone from iconic legends to cult favorites.
“It was never anything we really had to get across to the bands,” Jason says, “but they take it really seriously and go for total accuracy in the sound and the look. That’s just made it more and more fun as it goes on.”
As the event grew beyond the walls of The Pilot Light, it found new homes at larger venues, including Fireproof Storage, Ironwood Studios, the Bijou Theatre, and now The Mill and Mine, where the most recent shows have been staged.
In addition to just being a raucously fun night, the Halloween show serves a vital purpose: funding The Pilot Light’s operations as a nonprofit. “It was a volunteer-run ‘no-profit’ from inception until 2018, when it became a 501(c)(3),” Jason explains. “And it absolutely can’t exist without the support of our patrons and our bands.”
Approaching its 25th anniversary, The Pilot Light remains committed to its mission. “There are a lot of genres that are just so niche that they’re never going to draw very big crowds,” Jason says. “And when they do find a stage, it’s often compromised — like, sure, you can play in the corner, but there are going to be people talking and TVs blaring the game to make ends meet.”
The original idea, he says, was to create “a humble space with low overhead so it wouldn’t put itself out of business but could present these smaller and more underrepresented forms of music. But that’s been difficult to sustain.”
Supporting emerging local artists is the other prong. “It’s wonderful to watch the evolution of local bands,” says Jason. ““Sometimes when they start the players don’t sound like they’re even in the same band, but over time, you see them land on a sound and chase it. And sometimes it takes off, and they outgrow The Pilot Light. But it’s great to support their journey.”
Come out on tonight and be part of the magic that keeps Knoxville’s left-of-dial music heart beating strong. Doors at 7 p.m.; music starts at 7:30. Costumes encouraged! Advance tickets and more information available here.
The 2024 lineup:
- TTHE WWHHIIITEE STTRRIIPESS
- BBBECCCKK
- GRREEEN DAAAYY
- DDEPPECHHE MMMODDE
- BBOBB DYLLAAN
- BRROAADCAASST
- Plus Halloween dance tunes spun by Xerox The Kidd
Can’t make it to the show but want to show your support? Donations are welcomed at the website here.