Orange Peel Announces Name and First Show for New Outdoor Venue

Hellbender by The Orange Peel to open in July with limited 2026 season

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Orange Peel, a longtime live music venue in Asheville, North Carolina, has announced the name and opening details for its new outdoor music venue. Hellbender by The Orange Peel will open in July 2026 on a three-acre site off Swannanoa River Road, featuring a permanent stage, general admission lawn, and premium and standard seating options. The venue is named after the giant salamander found in Western North Carolina, reflecting the management team's connection to the local area.

Why it matters

The opening of Hellbender represents an expansion of The Orange Peel's live music offerings in Asheville, providing a new outdoor venue option for concertgoers. It also signals the revitalization of the Swannanoa River Road industrial corridor, which was impacted by flooding from Tropical Storm Helene in 2024.

The details

Hellbender will feature a 'gently graded' lawn for general admission and options for premium and standard seating. The venue sits on approximately three acres, including the property of the former Cursus Kĕmē brewery. The Orange Peel management team is committed to a 'thoughtful, sustainable activation' of the site, which was shaped by water and history.

  • The Orange Peel announced plans for the new outdoor venue in October 2025.
  • The Asheville Design Review Committee approved the venue in November 2025.
  • Hellbender by The Orange Peel will open in July 2026.
  • The limited 2026 season will run from July through October.
  • The full season at Hellbender is planned to begin in spring 2027.

The players

The Orange Peel

A longtime live music venue in Asheville, North Carolina, with a 24-year history of providing locally owned entertainment.

Dana Roberson

Co-owner and chief of staff of The Orange Peel and Hellbender.

Liz Whalen Tallent

Co-owner and head of marketing for The Orange Peel.

Cursus Kĕmē

A former brewery located on the property that is now part of the Hellbender venue.

Tropical Storm Helene

A storm that significantly flooded the Swannanoa River Road industrial corridor in September 2024.

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What they’re saying

“As we invest in this new venture and watch it come to life over the next few years, we look forward to being part of rebuilding, re-energizing and bringing new life to the Swannanoa River Road industrial corridor, which was hit so hard.”

— Dana Roberson, Co-owner and chief of staff of The Orange Peel and Hellbender (citizen-times.com)

“We love bringing people together for live music and we love Asheville and Hellbender will be a reflection of both.”

— Liz Whalen Tallent, Co-owner and head of marketing for The Orange Peel (citizen-times.com)

What’s next

Hellbender's first announced show will be on August 1, 2026, featuring headliners Rhiannon Giddens, Mavis Staples, and Mary Chapin Carpenter with support from Hurray for the Riff Raff. The limited 2026 season will run from July through October, with more shows to be announced soon.

The takeaway

The opening of Hellbender by The Orange Peel represents an exciting expansion of live music offerings in Asheville, while also signaling the revitalization of the Swannanoa River Road industrial corridor that was impacted by recent flooding. The venue's commitment to sustainability and connection to the local community are key aspects of this new outdoor music destination.