Three sharp-eared critics who attended Big Ears 2025—Bill Pearis (BrooklynVegan), Jennie Punter (Musicworks Magazine), and Natalie Weiner (Don't Rock the Inbox)—gather to reflect on the vast sonic and interdisciplinary arts landscape they encountered. From singular encounters to shared moments of awe, they explore the music, the food and the spirit of Knoxville. This talk reveals how Big Ears offers not one experience, but countless parallel journeys that may touch, or never overlap at all. We also pay tribute to the late Michael Hurley. Music featured in this episode: Terry Riley - “In C” Eiko Ishibashi - “Evil Does Not Exist” Hu Vibrational - “Calling to the Water Goddess” Tindersticks - “Don’t Walk, Run” Immersion - “State of Motion” Immanuel Wilkins - “MOSHPIT” Susan Alcorn - “Pedernal” Fieldwork - “Bend” Ambrose Akinmusire - “To: Taymoor” Michael Hurley - “Hog of the Forsaken”