Though the weekend begins with Cinco de Mayo, there’s a lot more happening around town besides crowded tequila bars and questionable cultural appropriation- namely, live music, and lots of it (don’t worry, you can still find margaritas at a many of these venues). Though the weather is a little iffy, this weekend boasts a favorite returning festival, performances from legendary punk and alternative bands, rising stars in r&b, indie, reggae, and post-rock, ranging from DIY punk shows to classic rock arena outings and everything in between. Per usual, we have you covered with a roundup of the best of what’s happening, so check out This Weekend in Nashville below!
FRIDAY
PIXIES w/ PUBLIC ACCESS T.V.
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 8pm (7pm doors) | $50-65 | All Ages
While tickets to see alt rock icons the Pixies‘ return to The Ryman seemed sold out as a few weeks ago, it appears at the time of writing a handful have been released last minute- though they likely won’t last long. More than a decade into their reunion (which is coming up on twice as long as they ever existed in the first place), the group’s influence was immeasurable in changing the sound of popular music in the early ’90s. Though founding member Kim Deal departed in 2013, not long before their last Ryman show, in 2014, Pixies have managed to craft two pretty solid LPs since, most recently Head Carrier, which, if not quite the instant classic as their first-era work, still stands as a perfectly solid entry in the Boston group’s catalogue. New York post-punks Public Access T.V., fronted by former Nashvillian and ex-Be Your Own Pet and Turbo Fruits member John Eatherly, open, making this show even more compelling. [PO]
DAISYHEAD w/ FOSSIL YOUTH, ON POINT, CASH BASKET, RENAISSANCE FAIR
@ The End | 7:30pm (7pm doors) | $10 | 18+
As we told you in detail here, local emotionally-charged alt rock outfit Daisyhead are celebrating the release of their fantastic new sophomore LP, In Case You Missed It, with a hometown show at The End, kicking off a tour with Oklahoma alt/emo outfit Fossil Youth. With local support from hardcore band On Point, indie/post-rockers Cash Basket, and poppy, indie group Renaissance Fair, this is a pretty stellar sampling of Nashville’s flourishing underground punk scene we spend so much time raving about. Whether you’re new to Daisyhead or a seasoned fan, show a local band some love, and be sure to snag a copy of their LP! [PO]
SEVIER PARK FEST ft. THE LONE BELLOW w/ MUDDY MAGNOLIAS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS
@ Sevier Park | 8pm | $30-75 | All Ages
The annual rite of spring Sevier Park Fest is this weekend, and, as they’ve done for the past few years, will be kicking off with a ticketed Friday night concert. This year’s kickoff features Americana standouts The Lone Bellow, the soulful harmonies of Muddy Magnolias, and rising Athens, GA based folk outfit Family and Friends. The weather may not be optimal for this event, but all three of these acts will warm your soul better than a bowl of soup. So, pack a lawn chair and a jacket, and get your weekend off to a good start. [MH]
HANDSOME GHOST w/ FRANCES CONE
@ The High Watt | 8:30pm (7:30pm doors) | $12 | 18+
Rising pop sensation Handsome Ghost first caught national attention with smash singles “Eyes Wide” and “Blood Stutter,” and the release of new singles this year are a good sign that a new record is on the way. Brooklyn based Frances Cone will bring their soul pop sound that you may recognize from their ear worm single “Arizona,” which dropped last year. You’ll likely start seeing both of these bands on major festivals in the coming years, so this is a good chance to catch them both in an intimate venue. [MH]
GOODBYE JUNE w/ OMEGA SWAN, FOREST FIRE GOSPEL CHOIR
@ The Basement East | 8:30pm (8pm doors) | $12 | 21+
Buzzworthy rising rockers Goodbye June are fresh off the release of their brand spanking new album, Magic Valley, which drops Friday, and you can help them celebrate at The Basement East. Filling out the all local bill is the always tasty spaced out rock outfit Omega Swan, and roots rockers Forest Fir Gospel Choir. You get all this for just twelve bones, and you’re helping the local rock scene stay vibrant. Go ahead, get your skull melted this weekend at The BEast! [JR]
ROBBY KRIEGER (of The Doors)
@ City Winery | 8pm (6pm doors) | $55-85 | All Ages
Legendary Doors guitarist Robby Krieger is still going strong, and bringing the music of a much groovier era to a whole new generation. The tragic death of larger-than-life frontman Jim Morrison, at just twenty-seven years of age, tends to always loom over the conversation whenever talking about one of the ’60’s most influential bands, but there were other members who were just as responsible for putting The Doors into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Doors had a very distinct sound, thanks in no small part to Robby’s guitar work, Ray Manzarek’s keyboard playing, as well as Jim’s voice. So don’t miss this opportunity to see a titan of rock in such a wonderfully intimate setting. [JR]
RIVAL SONS w/ THE LONDON SOULS, DERRICK BROWN, INTOXICA RADIO LIVE WITH DJ HOWIE PYRO
@ Cannery Ballroom | 8pm (7pm doors) | $25 | 18+
Bluesy, hard rockers Rival Sons recently had the distinction of opening for Black Sabbath on their last tour ever, boosting of the presence of a band who, over eight years and five albums, most recently Hollow Bones, have become a dependable source for straight up, old school rock and roll and honed, loud live shows. For their Nashville return, they’ve tapped New York’s The London Souls, who are always a blast, along with Derrick Brown and Intoxica Radio with Howie Pyro. [PO]
ROOTS OF A REBELLION, CBDB
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $15 | 18+
Local mainstays in the Tennessee Reggae movement, Roots of a Rebellion, are hosting a very spacial Cinco de Mayo inspired performance called Jam-O de Mayo with help from Alabama progressive rockers CBDB. Regulars readers of NC should be very familiar with ROAR, and this summer marks a year since their last record Brother’s Instinct dropped, so word is new material is in the works. Look for them to possibly debut said new music, as well as spread peace and love with their back catalog. If you’re looking for a little ire vibes with your margaritas, this show is a must; read more about it here. [JR]
BOSTON
@ Nashville Municipal Auditorium | 7:30pm | $22-136 | All Ages
If you are in the need for nostalgia this weekend and have some extra cash, then you should definitely consider heading to Municipal Auditorium to see 29 times platinum prog rockers Boston. Though largely made of of players who joined over the last decade, they’ll still be bringing the hits for a sure fire return to the late ’70s and early ’80s with what can only amount to be a massive singalong to hits like “More Than A Feeling,” “Peace of Mind,” “Amanda,” and many more. [MH]
SATURDAY
HIGH NOON III ft. LIZ COOPER & THE STAMPEDE, KEEPS, LASSO SPELLS, IAN FERGUSON, CREASE READER, LUCILLE FURS, CHARLIE & THE EVIL MOTHERS, STATION WAGON, TEDDY AND THE ROUGH RIDERS, OJR, ZACH PULS
@ Mercy Lounge & The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $7-10 | 18+
Back for it’s third installment, High Noon is starting to become one of our favorite pop-up happenings around town. Curated by friend of the blog Brett Dudash (frontman/guitarist for Lasso Spells) the showcase has been stellar for the first two go ’rounds, and based on this massive lineup, it doesn’t appear to be slowing down one bit. Enjoy folk rockers Liz Cooper & The Stampede in the closing spot, as well as Lasso Spells, Keeps, No Country Presents alum Ian Ferguson, psych rockers OJR and more, set to light up two different stages. Check out our full rundown here, and know you can catch a ton of the hottest bands in town for a bargain. So, unless you already have big plans, you’d be crazy to miss perhaps the best low dough local show of the weekend. [JR]
SEVIER PARK FEST ft. GRANT GARLAND, ELEL, CHANCEY, NILES ROOKER, LIZ COOPER, KELLEN OF TROY, ADRIAN + MEREDITH, & MORE
@ Sevier Park | 10:30am | FREE | All ages
The weather may be a bit iffy for the all day free Sevier Park Fest this weekend, and if thunderstorms pop, you’ll want to keep an eye on the event’s socials for any last minute cancellations. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen though, because this is one hell of a lineup featuring a number of blog faves including Liz Cooper, Kellen of Troy, and ELEL. Fingers crossed for break in the gloom. [MH]
LOW ROAR w/ BROKEN ANCHOR, LETICIA WOLF
@ The Basement | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $10-$12 | 21+
Icelandic-based post-folk artist Low Roar combines elements of folk, dream pop, and post rock into an ethereal stew of musical excellence, perhaps dreamed up by Radiohead and Sufjan Stevens. They found success from the release of their 2011 self-titled debut, and are currently touring in support of their 3rd full length release, Once In A Long, Long While. If you aren’t familiar, you should head below to get acquainted, and then block out your Saturday night calendar for their show featuring Broken Anchor and Leticia Wolf in support. [MH]
MONO w/ HOLY SONS
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $13 | 18+
Japanese post-rock outfit MONO are touring in support of their incredible 2016 release Requiem For Hell, and they will be stopping by Exit/In on Saturday night to lay down some of the best guitar based orchestration in the genre. Warning, when you click on the embed below, you may end up in an aural trance for upwards of 30 minutes. They are joined by Brooklyn based rockers Holy Sons who, impressively, just released their 11th studio album, In The Garden, last year. [MH]
TREY SONGZ w/ MIKE ANGEL
@ Marathon Music Works | 8:30pm (7:30pm doors) | $49.50 | All Ages
Angelic voiced r&b/hip hop artist Trey Songz is bringing his Tremaine The Tour through Music City with help from electronic laced r&b performer Mike Angel in the opening spot. Taking his show on the road in support of his latest release, Tremaine the Album (Trey is short for Tremaine), which dropped earlier this year, Mr. Songz is the total package. Fans of the genre will be hard pressed to find a better voice anywhere in Nashville this weekend, so if he’s up your alley, you know you’ve got to be at Marathon this Saturday night. [JR]
DYNAMO w/ SHUAN MARTIN (of Snarky Puppy)
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 9:30pm (9pm doors) | $10 | All Ages
Local jazz doused, R&B soul collective Dynamo are celebrating the release of their latest album, Celina, this weekend with a record release show at 3rd & Lindsley on Saturday night. If you haven’t seen this talented troupe yet, do yourself a favor and head out to the show. Their live show is a master session in improvisation and musicianship. Head below to check out their first single “Thankful” to get an idea of what to expect. Shaun Martin of Snarky Puppy gets this one started, which makes it worth your while to get their on time. [MH]
DAVE MATTHEWS & TIM REYNOLDS
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 7pm | Sold Out | All Ages
If you’re a diehard Dave Matthews fan, you probably already have your spot saved, but the causal fans, or people who slept on tickets to this show are SOL, because both nights are sold out. Dave Mathews alone could have easily sold out Ascend two nights as well, but when you announce a special tour with world renowned, lightning quick guitarist Tim Reynolds, it was a sell out for sure. They usually just perform as an acoustic guitar duo, but it is Music City, so a surprise guest or two is almost a given. [JR]
QUINN DEVEAUX
@ Acme Feed & Seed | 3pm | FREE | All Ages
Gritty blues guitar picker Quinn DeVeaux is playing an early, all ages, free gig at Acme Feed & Seed Saturday, if you’re looking to catch some live music with an early dinner or late lunch, before going out Saturday night. Or maybe it’s going to be a very late breakfast, after a heavy night of partying for Cinco De Mayo. Regardless, Quinn has the music covered, and his inspired lyrics might be just the thing you need to kick a hang over. [JR]
SUNDAY
BEN BURR POETRY BOOK RELEASE
@ Fond Object (East Nashville) | 4pm | FREE | All Ages
Local label Cosmic Thug Records is celebrating the release of poet Ben Burr’s new book DASEIN on Sunday, and, per usual, they are doing so in eclectic excellent style. Alongside a reading from the author, the event will also feature poetry from Tessa Langoria, comedy from Kevin Guthrie, and music from The Bumbs and Justin & The Cosmics. If you are looking for a chill way to end your weekend, this is a sure fire bet! [MH]
X w/ SKATING POLLY
@ City Winery| 8pm (7pm doors) | $30-40 | All Ages
Celebrating their milestone 40th anniversary as band, seminal Los Angeles punk group X return to City Winery this weekend to showcase their unique sound and legendary catalogue, which incorporates elements of rockabilly, country, folk, and roots music. Joining them are young, rising, riot grrrl influenced indie punk trio Skating Polly, who should absolutely be on your radar. Check out our full preview for more about the lineup! [PO]
ELIZABETH COOK w/ DARRIN BRADBURY
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $18 | All Ages
This week’s Nashville Sunday Night features a pair of stellar local songwriters. Elizabeth Cook has established herself around town with her outgoing personality and top notch songwriting, and she most recently released her highly acclaimed Exodus Of Venus last summer. She’ll be joined by East Nashville based songwriter and funny man Darrin Bradbury, whose entire catalogue has been getting increased spins here, so make sure you get there on time to catch his set as you wind down your weekend. [MH]
DAVE MATTHEWS & TIM REYNOLDS
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 7pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Selling out in record time, just like night one, night two of Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds at Ascend is going to be just out of your reach, unless you’re one of the lucky fans with tickets … or, if possible, you can snag some on the aftermarket, or can find a vantage point from beyond the gates. So, next time Dave’s in town, don’t wait! Grab pre-sale or camp out at the box office. [JR]
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain