Cereus Bright is coming back for their first hometown headliner.

The band will be hitting the Bijou Theatre Friday night with Count This Penny opening the show at 8 p.m..

Named after the cereus flower, a white, desert flower that only blooms at night in desolate places. Cereus Bright is bringing their deep folk roots to the stage for a night of not only modern folk music but also the intimate connections made through their sounds.

Tyler Anthony and Evan Ford, Cereus Bright’s founding members, are excited to be performing at what they refer to as “Knoxville’s special theatre.”

Anthony is especially excited about being in an environment that is conducive to listening.

“What’s great about the Bijou is that you can get loud and have fun, but you can also be intimate,” Anthony said.

After meeting in May 2012, the two friends decided to create an impromptu group of musicians that reflected their mutual love for authentic folk music.

In a city where they feel culture is encouraged and expressed through music, the duo found it important to form a sound which had no restrictions on expression but instead held true to certain folk music characteristics such as communicating clearly and honestly.

“We love the storytelling aspect of folk music,” Ford said, “and we have this huge love and respect for the way that you can present those songs in different ways.”

Anthony and Ford use their shared passion to dig into the roots of folk, focusing on not reinventing the sound or meaning but on evolving in the traditions the music is about, particularly vulnerability.

“The sounds that Evan and I love that most are the songs that have touched us in a real emotional way,” Anthony said. “It’s about being vulnerable and being honest and trying to create something that connects with people.”

Cereus Bright’s music has been shaped by the pair’s hometown and is a reflection of their experiences in the Scruffy City. They said they love Knoxville and have made a conscious choice to remain rooted in the city.

“We want to be real and authentic while still putting on an excellent show because that’s the character or Knoxville,” Ford said.

Anthony and Ford believe the support and love of the Knoxville community has helped Cereus Bright grow exponentially. Anthony explained trying to become a full-time band is a daunting venture; however, having fans to support them has provided safety in being who they are as a band.

Anthony said if their journey would have started in a different place, Cereus Bright may have not been a reality.

“It’s a testament of other creatives and the dreams that we have,” Anthony said.

The band hopes to deliver its message to every audience member Friday night. With a prepared set which ranges from fun and upbeat to slow and somber, Cereus Bright hopes the meaning in their music pushes people to think about challenging ideas. For them, success comes if they are responsible for encouraging fans to live their lives just a little differently.

Ford explained though they create pleasing and fun music, there is also a deeper meaning to be found in their lyrics and harmonies, a desire to spark interest and thought in their fans.

“We want for people, who want a little more, to have it — be layers that they pull back and have it be just a little bit off-kilter so that it’s interesting,” Ford said.

Cereus Bright encourages everyone to come and check out the folk culture they are proud to represent and talk with them during their planned meet and greet following the show.

“If you’re not busy, we would love to see you and meet you and take a picture,” Ford said, “although we might be pretty sweaty after the show.”