ArtistDirect News
Hellbender by the Orange Peel Opens Ashevilles New Outdoor Music Venue in July 2026
Hellbender by the Orange Peel, a new outdoor concert site located at 151 Thompson Street in Asheville, North Carolina, officially opened to the public in July 2026. The venue, part of the long‑standing downtown club The Orange Peel, launched its first season with a double‑bill on Friday, July 17 featuring Band of Horses and Dinosaur Jr., and a follow‑up show on Saturday, July 18.
The opening venue sits on a riverside parcel near the Swannanoa River and south of the Asheville Mall. The site was built on land that was heavily damaged by Tropical Storm Helene in 2023, and its opening is part of a broader effort to revitalize Asheville’s live‑music scene. The Orange Peel’s existing indoor capacity is 1,050, but Hellbender’s open‑air design allows for a larger audience and a different acoustic experience.
Sound and sight are the venue’s primary claims to fame. During the July 18 performance, the sound system reached every corner of the campus—from the food‑truck area to the grove of trees at the back—so that moving away from a seat or a folding chair did not compromise the listening experience. The stage is positioned far enough from the grassy meadow that a clear view of the band is possible from most spots, while premium seating is available for those who prefer a closer view.
Parking is available in two ways. Concertgoers can pay for parking at temporary lots surrounding the venue, or they can take a free shuttle from the Asheville Mall. The shuttle route starts at the old JCPenney location, past the Belk Department Store, and drops passengers near the venue’s entrance. The trip to Hellbender takes about four minutes and twenty seconds. After the show, the shuttle returns to the mall via a loop that passes Target and River Hills Shopping Center, taking roughly ten to twelve minutes.
Food and beverage options are supplied by rotating food trucks. On July 18, Local Pie Pizza Co., The Outpost, and Defiance Café each operated a truck. Prices ranged from $8 to $20, and the venue provided orange tables for seating and trash cans for waste disposal. Beverage service was limited: beers and THC‑infused drinks were offered exclusively by Charlotte‑based NoDa Brewing Company, while Devil’s Foot Beverage Company supplied non‑alcoholic options.
Seating options include free grassy meadow areas and rentable folding chairs sold for $10 each. The chairs are grouped in designated lawn sections to keep the space organized.
Safety protocols were tested during the July 18 show when lightning struck close to the venue. Staff calmly announced a 40‑minute rain hold over the loudspeakers, and guests were escorted out of the gates. Wristbands were issued for re‑entry, and drink tickets were given to those with partially full beverages. No alcoholic drinks were allowed outside the venue. The shuttle remained operational, giving guests the option to leave early.
Bathroom facilities were plentiful. A porta‑potty zone was set up near the south gates, trailer bathrooms were positioned beside the food trucks, and a permanent row of restrooms was located near the north gates.
Hellbender’s opening season is scheduled to run through the summer, with a full season of programming planned to begin in spring 2027. The venue’s permanent stage is under construction, and the organizers have indicated that the site will host a mix of local and touring acts across a variety of genres.
The venue’s launch adds a new outdoor option to Asheville’s already vibrant live‑music landscape, which includes other outdoor stages such as the Asheville Music Hall partnership with French Broad River Brewery. Hellbender’s location near the Asheville Mall and its shuttle service make it accessible to a broad audience, while its sound system and seating arrangements aim to provide a high‑quality concert experience.
As of now, the venue has already hosted two shows and is set to continue its opening season with additional acts. The Orange Peel’s expansion into an outdoor venue reflects a broader trend of cities adding flexible, weather‑resistant spaces to accommodate live‑music demand.
For more information on upcoming shows, parking, and FAQs, visitors can visit the official website at www.hellbenderavl.com.
The opening venue sits on a riverside parcel near the Swannanoa River and south of the Asheville Mall. The site was built on land that was heavily damaged by Tropical Storm Helene in 2023, and its opening is part of a broader effort to revitalize Asheville’s live‑music scene. The Orange Peel’s existing indoor capacity is 1,050, but Hellbender’s open‑air design allows for a larger audience and a different acoustic experience.
Sound and sight are the venue’s primary claims to fame. During the July 18 performance, the sound system reached every corner of the campus—from the food‑truck area to the grove of trees at the back—so that moving away from a seat or a folding chair did not compromise the listening experience. The stage is positioned far enough from the grassy meadow that a clear view of the band is possible from most spots, while premium seating is available for those who prefer a closer view.
Parking is available in two ways. Concertgoers can pay for parking at temporary lots surrounding the venue, or they can take a free shuttle from the Asheville Mall. The shuttle route starts at the old JCPenney location, past the Belk Department Store, and drops passengers near the venue’s entrance. The trip to Hellbender takes about four minutes and twenty seconds. After the show, the shuttle returns to the mall via a loop that passes Target and River Hills Shopping Center, taking roughly ten to twelve minutes.
Food and beverage options are supplied by rotating food trucks. On July 18, Local Pie Pizza Co., The Outpost, and Defiance Café each operated a truck. Prices ranged from $8 to $20, and the venue provided orange tables for seating and trash cans for waste disposal. Beverage service was limited: beers and THC‑infused drinks were offered exclusively by Charlotte‑based NoDa Brewing Company, while Devil’s Foot Beverage Company supplied non‑alcoholic options.
Seating options include free grassy meadow areas and rentable folding chairs sold for $10 each. The chairs are grouped in designated lawn sections to keep the space organized.
Safety protocols were tested during the July 18 show when lightning struck close to the venue. Staff calmly announced a 40‑minute rain hold over the loudspeakers, and guests were escorted out of the gates. Wristbands were issued for re‑entry, and drink tickets were given to those with partially full beverages. No alcoholic drinks were allowed outside the venue. The shuttle remained operational, giving guests the option to leave early.
Bathroom facilities were plentiful. A porta‑potty zone was set up near the south gates, trailer bathrooms were positioned beside the food trucks, and a permanent row of restrooms was located near the north gates.
Hellbender’s opening season is scheduled to run through the summer, with a full season of programming planned to begin in spring 2027. The venue’s permanent stage is under construction, and the organizers have indicated that the site will host a mix of local and touring acts across a variety of genres.
The venue’s launch adds a new outdoor option to Asheville’s already vibrant live‑music landscape, which includes other outdoor stages such as the Asheville Music Hall partnership with French Broad River Brewery. Hellbender’s location near the Asheville Mall and its shuttle service make it accessible to a broad audience, while its sound system and seating arrangements aim to provide a high‑quality concert experience.
As of now, the venue has already hosted two shows and is set to continue its opening season with additional acts. The Orange Peel’s expansion into an outdoor venue reflects a broader trend of cities adding flexible, weather‑resistant spaces to accommodate live‑music demand.
For more information on upcoming shows, parking, and FAQs, visitors can visit the official website at www.hellbenderavl.com.