In this Superbowl Weekend, you have no excuse (other than an insane Pixies show) not to go hard to shows both Friday and Saturday night. If only, so you will feel absolute in your resolution to veg and watch the big game on Sunday. So, we’ve rounded up another great weekend’s worth of live music hand selected by our staff for yet another edition of TWiN. Get out to see some live music!
FRIDAY
Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes
@ Soulshine Pizza | 7pm | Free | All Ages
After making some serious waves last year through touring and recording, Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes are ready to take another plunge with their upcoming LP, Kid Tiger, which releases in March. We brought you the first single “Sun Goes Out” from that effort recently, and Lightning 100 put it on repeat for you over the past week. You’ll get the chance to catch an always fun live performance with them tonight at Soulshine Pizza. Per usual, this all ages event is free and is in full swing around 7pm. [MH]
IKEY OWENS (OF THE MARS VOLTA / JACK WHITE) AND RUBEDO w/ THE ASCENT OF EVEREST AND KINGS OF THE F**KING SEA
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $10 | 18+
It’s not every day Nashville is treated with an up and coming keyboardist legend like Ikey Owens. Owens’ resume has a vast display of genres such as reggae, psych-rock, jazz, hip-hop, electronic, and several more. He has even played in Mars Volta, Jack White (solo), Slightly Stoopid, Mastodon, and the list goes on. If you are a fan of those bands/artists, then it should be a no-brainer to catch Owens at The High Watt. We are excited to see what he has up his sleeve (and maybe spotting a famous local). Opening up the night are psychedelic rockers Rubedo, The Ascent of Everest, and Kings of the F**king Sea. [AD]
SHY GUY w/ PONTIAK, TTOTALS, PANG, AND GOLDEN SPURS
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $Cheap | 21+
This show is like putting a master blaster in a hot wheel in a hot pocket. Don’t know what that means? Me either, but it sounds like something awesome! Sort of like this stellar lineup up sounds. With genre influences running from poppy to grungy, you’ll surely find a band that fits you, or you could be like us at No Country that find a perfect fit in every one of them. Check out these new jams from Golden Spurs to see why you should get there at doors. [MH]
MOE. w/ ROOTS OF REBELLION
@ Marathon Music Works | 9pm | $22ADV/$25DOS | 18+
Jam band fans, we hope you’ve already got tickets for this one. Legendary jam act and Bonnaroo favorites Moe. will be joined by Nashville’s own reggae connoisseurs Roots of a Rebellion for what looks to be a spectacular show. The whole thing will go down at 9 p.m. at Marathon Music Works, so be sure to get there and see these two spectacular bands. [JS]
JASMIN KASET “QUIET MACHINE” RECORD RELEASE w/ PONYCHASE AND RAYLAND BAXTER
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5/$10 w/ vinyl | 21+
Jasmin Kaset is a gem. Quirky and one half of the duo Birdcloud (if you aren’t familiar, listen & read lyrics here), Kaset gives us reasons to love her solo on Quiet Machine, an artful pop record of songs that sound like little else in Nashville. It’s fitting that the cover of the Ponychase’s “Parade of Youth” , the lead single from their debut LP Parade of Youth (releasing March 4 / release show at The Basement March 7), is a cassette tape. Their songs sound perfect for mixtapes that sync well with Drive, Sixteen Candles & Blue Is The Warmest Color. The honey sounds and slide guitar of Rayland Baxter will turn The Basement into church. His lyrics ache with soulful sorrow and glimmer with hope, aided by his perfect companion emotive voice. If you stare into the abyss of “Dreamin”, “The Woman For Me” and “Willie’s Song”, you may find yourself teary eyed and even breathless live. Songs like “Willow” and “Bad Things” show a psychedelic & blues side of Baxter, making us wonder how his next chapter will read. Stay tuned for our live review of the night. [LT]
SUN CLUB w/ PLASTIC VISIONS, PRETTY UGLY, AND BUFFALO RODEO
@ The End | 9pm | $5 | 18+
Hailing from Baltimore, Sun Club has rocked Nashville several times with their unique take on indie rock. If you’re into the sounds of Adam & Naive or even earlier Animal Collective, Sun Club’s gig at the End tonight might just be the show for you. Add into the mix the stellar openers Plastic Visions, Pretty Ugly, and Buffalo Rodeo, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a night. [JS]
WEEKEND BABES w/ DOME AND TROPICAL TRASH
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $5 | 18+
Before you catch them at the epic Freakin’ Weekend V in March, get a little taste of relative newcomers Weekend Babes this weekend at The Stone Fox. For only five bones and with DOME and Tropical Trash rounding out the bill, you can’t go wrong! [PO]
SATURDAY
JAKE BUGG w/ THE WEEKS AND THE SKINS
@ Ryman Auditorium | 8pm | $27 | All Ages
Anyone who follows Nashville’s own Kim Logan’s social media accounts knows that the singer-songwriter has a lovely fixation on Jake Bugg, so we decided to ask her why Nashville should jump at the chance to catch the 19 year old on the Mother Church stage.“It seems fitting that I’m going to see Jake Bugg play The Ryman almost exactly 50 years to the date of the Beatles’ first American appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show,” she said. “Both Jake and the Beatles are mop-top cuties, but with this incredible element of artistic genius that completely transcends the heartthrob phenomenon. Jake’s capacity for diversity in his songwriting and vocal delivery is something to which I think all artists aspire.” Check out Kim’s favorite song of Jake’s below, “Simple As This.” The Weeks will open the show with rollicking Delta rock and if you haven’t heard about them, you are living under a rock! Remember when we celebrated The Weeks’ Week? They are movin on up! Be sure to arrive at 8 p.m. sharp to catch the foxy afrorock of The Skins and check out our interview with the band for insight to one of Brooklyn’s hottest bands on the rise! Stay tuned for our live review of the night. [LT]
A BENEFIT FOR THE PHILIPPINES ft. PONYCHASE, PALE HORSES, POLY, NORM, CORNPONE, SEAN WILLIAMS AND MY SO CALLED BAND
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm | $15 min. donation | 18+
There’s nothing that throws a party in my heart like good bands getting together for a great cause. Music City does benefit shows like nobody’s business and this time, we’re reaching across the globe to give our international neighbors a hand when they need it most… and THAT’S what Southern hospitality is all about. Don’t miss this unique opportunity get down while raising funds for those in need. Billed as “My So-Called Band & Friends,” this line-up is a filled to the brim with a little something for everyone. Preview of precious chamber-twee-pop trio, Poly, below. [JM]
THE GREAT BARRIER REEFS w/ AQUADUCKS
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $5 | 21+
The real Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia may be dying a cruel, man-made and unnecessary death but the local funk, jazz infused jam band of the same name is still going strong! They’ve been playing shows in support of their second album, Live in Middle Tennessee and have been gaining support all over town. We told you all about local party boys The Aquaducks is this post and together these bands will be an epic bill so don’t miss out! [JR]
THE WHIGS w/ R. STEVIE MOORE AND NO REGRETS COYOTE
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $12/$14DOS | 18+
This triad of Nashville natives may be one of the strongest lineups you’ll see this Saturday. The legendary and ridiculously prolific R. Stevie Moore will be joining party favorites No Regrets Coyote in opening for one of our favorite bands, The Whigs. This show is sure to be chock full of energetic dancing and downright heavy guitar riffs, so be sure to get to the Exit/In around 8 pm. Trust us, you’ll have a fantastic time. [JS]
TREE READ, MICK LEONARDI, FAUNA HALO, FABLE CRY, SAM T. SMITH
@ The East Room | 8pm | $5 | 18+
Remember when you used to check out all sorts of new bands at the East Room during East Nashville Underground? This is sort of like that same kind of bill, we’ve caught a couple of acts from this group, and the one that has our attention tonight is recent Nashville transplant Mick Leonardi. You can get to know his track “Give Me A Shot” below. [MH]
THE BLACK LILLIES w/ THIS MOUNTAIN, SARA JEAN KELLEY
@ 3rd & Lindlsey | 8pm (doors at 6pm) | $12 | All Ages
Knoxville indie roots act The Black Lillies bring their seasoned alt-country sound to 3rd & Lindsley. With an impressive array of critical and commercial success, not to mention three fantastic releases and countless miles logged on the road, all while staying independent, it’s hard not to call them the hardest working band in Americana. This Mountain and Sara Jean Kelley get things started around 8pm. [PO]
BEER, BACON, BURLESQUE
@ Marathon Music Works | 12pm | $45/$100 VIP | 18+
Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, because here comes something to warm up your Polar Vortex. A triumvirate of awesome awaits those with discerning taste at Marathon Music Works. Good Lord… with pork products, liquor, and pasties at play there are simply too many ill-advised puns to be made. Just go ahead and grab your ticket to this thing because it’s certain to be epic — 40 craft brewers, 20 bacon vendors, 3 burlesque troops, with rumored musical appearances by local acts. Catch the ladies of MCB below beating Katy Perry to the stake months before her Grammy performance. [JM]
WHO’S BAD: THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE
@ The Cannery Ballroom | 10pm | $15 | 18+
It’s devastating to know that we will never again get a chance to see The King of Pop perform, but, for the next best thing, Who’s Bad offers the closest to the authentic Michael Jackson experience around. [PO]
YEAH BENEFIT FEAT. BODY OF LIGHT, CRAYONS AND ANTIDOTES, CHALAXY
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $7 | 18+
We’ve given you the rundown on Nashville experimental electro-pop act Body of Light a few times before. The Stone Fox seems like a perfect atmosphere to catch them in, and, backed by fellow chill/electronic/experimental groups Crayons and Antidotes and Chalaxy, all for the benefit of YEAH, you can’t go wrong with this one. [PO]
SUNDAY
PIXIES w/ CULTS
@ Ryman Auditorium | 7:30pm | $54.50/$47.50 | All Ages
Before there was the grunge rock explosion of the late 80s and early 90s there were the Pixies. They didn’t know it at the time they formed in 1986 but they would influence everyone who was anyone in the grunge movement from Nirvana to Soundgarden and all the notables in-between. At the height of their career, they didn’t achieve the fame stateside they enjoyed in Europe, but they have experienced a resurgence of popularity lately thanks partially to the cult-classic film Fight Club (see vid below). Like all American bands that make it big in Europe first, it took some of us a while to catch on, but it’s not too late to see these post-punk legends at the greatest venue in town! [JR]
[JS] Jack Smith
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JM] Jessika Malone
[KA] Kelsi Alexander
[LT] Lindsey Thompson
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain
[SM] Samantha Major
[WD]Wes Davenport