Kate Wakefield may be best known for her work with Cincinnati rock duo Lung, but anyone who has seen her play solo knows that she’s enthralling and unforgettable whether or not Daisy’s behind her making like a caveman. Her set at Woodbine Chamber a year or so ago is among the most emotionally satisfying sets I’ve seen in recent years–a truly singular voice and vision.

Chris Cupp has been on the scene lately playing bass guitar in Grace Rogers’ band. The songs where he switches to cello, however, take the music in a whole ‘nother direction. These deep, cello-driven interludes were what made me want to host Chris at Surface Noise and see what else he might have hidden up his bow-hand sleeve. Chris will be bringing along Wesley Johnson to accompany him on guitar, and I’m pretty sure he intends to arrange a set of old time tunes for cello and guitar, something I had not heretofore known even to be possible.

Ellen Weis is a veteran performer at Surface Noise, bringing classical chops to jazz performance and a collaborative energy that knows no bounds, in terms of genre or otherwise. For her performance at Cello Fest 2026, Ellen will be joined by guitarist Bob Dixon, who currently plays with Giant Dunes and who remains a stalwart of the underground and experimental music scenes here in Louisville. I have no idea what Bob and Ellen might cook up together–if they even do themselves!–but I cannot wait to find out on Sunday.

Jon Silpayamanant was part of the very first live performance hosted at Surface Noise and has played at the store more than any other musician–well over thirty times in the nearly ten years we’ve been open. While classically trained, Jon is a fearless improviser with eccentric experimental tendencies. He is also a scholar and practitioner of various folk traditions across the globe, well beyond his native Thailand and the rest of southeast Asia. It is always to hear Jon play, in any ensemble or setting, and to be enriched by his tireless pursuit of new musical knowledge.

Again, Cello Fest goes down on Friday at 7:00 PM and Sunday at 5:00 PM. A $20 donation is suggested for each day of Cello Fest, but donations are never compulsory.