Music on Television | 2.11-2.16

Once again, we’re bringing you our roundup of the best live music on television for the week. The amount of great performances can be hard to keep track of, so every Monday I’ll recap the best and most interesting of what’s coming up. I’ll be sure to give you one essential pick for each night, as well as a runner up or two when a lot of great bands are playing. Also, lots of artists performing on TV have upcoming shows in Nashville, so I’ve added ticket links and dates below.

Here are the best performances I think you should set your DVR (or check Hulu the next day) for:

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MONDAY (2/11)

DON’T MISS: Family of the Year on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [ABC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: Though the members of Family of the Year are from all over, they claim Los Angeles as their home, and it really shows in their music. With a prolific output over the past several years, the sunny indie pop group have positioned themselves to finally gain the recognition they deserve in 2013.

Family of the Year will be performing at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville on 3/27/13. You can find more info here. You can check out the video for the group’s single “St. Croix,” below:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/maipAShVPaA]

Bonus: The Avett Brothers on Late Show with David Letterman [CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c]: In a day and age where the mainstream folk explosion is getting out of hand, The Avetts are still a breath of fresh air. Genuine and understated, the NC boys continue to do what they do better than anybody and they’re more than seasoned enough to always deliver a great live performance.

The Avett Brothers will be performing at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on 5/18/13. You can find more info here.

Bonus: Superhumanoids on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: LA band Superhumanoids are kind of hard to describe. Their brand of indie rock alternates between calm and ambient, and spastic and danceable. Their tunes are tense, pulsing, and urgent; unwilling to conform to typical melodic structure. One thing’s for sure: they’re a band to keep an eye on.

Superhumanoids will be performing with Local Natives at Marathon Music Works in Nashville on 3/18/13. You can find more info here.

Bonus: Ed Sheeran on Conan [TBS; 11PM/10c]: He didn’t win the Best New Artist award last night at the Grammys, but he won a lot of viewers’ hearts with his beautiful duet with Elton John. If you haven’t already jumped on the bandwagon for his debut album, +, now would be the time!

Ed Sheeran will be performing with Taylor Swift at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on 9/19/13, 9/20/13, and 9/21/13. You can find more info here.

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TUESDAY (2/12)

DON’T MISS: Vacationer on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: Vacationer is the latest project from The Starting Line‘s Kenny Vasoli. You’d never guess that on first listen, however, because the two bands have nothing in common. Vasoli has completely shed his pop punk upbringing to deliver something more akin to chillwave meets highbrow indie and it’s oh so glorious.

Check out the band’s music video for “Trip” below:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/UzOaKcuAFnc]

Bonus: Ellie Goulding on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [ABC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: It’s been a crazy couple of years for British electro-pop singer Ellie Goulding, and rightfully so. After exploding with her single “Lights,” Goulding proved her true versatility and artistry with 2012’s Halcyon. She’s also always a fun live performance!

Bonus: Neon Trees on Live! with Kelly and Michael [check local listings]: Neon Trees were one of my biggest guilty pleasure bands of 2012. With their infectiously catchy new album, Picture Show, and increasingly bigger headlining and supporting tour slots, I’d say I’m not alone in that opinion. I dare you to watch them and not feel upbeat!

Neon Trees will be performing with Maroon 5 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on 3/24/13. You can find more info here.

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WEDNESDAY (2/13)

DON’T MISS: Fall Out Boy on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [ABC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: It was this performance calendar that leaked and partially contributed the Fall Out Boy reunion rumors leaking out. Nonetheless, it’ll be the pop rock group’s first televised performance since coming off of hiatus and, presumably, the first time the group will perform their new track “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light ‘Em Up)” on television!

Fall Out Boy will be performing at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on 6/30/13. You can find more info here. Catch the band’s new single below:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/LkIWmsP3c_s]

Bonus: Niki & The Dove on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: Indie electronic duo Niki & The Dove are what I would imagine Grimes would sound like if she were Swedish, had a male counterpart, and spent a little bit of time hanging out with Purity Ring. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Bonus: Lupe Fiasco on Conan [TBS; 11PM/10c]: Lupe Fiasco has seemingly faced a lot of personal and professional turmoil lately, not to mention a controversial political stance at a recent inaugural party. Nonetheless, the Chicago rapper remains one of the smartest, most interesting voices in the scene and is always engaging and unpredictable to watch!

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THURSDAY (2/14)

DON’T MISS: Dave Gohl & The Sound City Players w/ Stevie Nicks on Late Show with David Letterman [CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c]: I’m not entirely sure what this will entail, but I’m intrigued enough by the prospect of a Dave Grohl and Stevie Nicks pairing, much less with the musicians responsible for the supposedly incredible Sound City soundtrack, to make it my top pick for Thursday.

Here’s the trailer for Sound City, which is playing NOW at The Belcourt:

[youtube=http://youtu.be/HQoOfiLz1G4]

Bonus: Local Natives on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: Local Natives have really been making their rounds lately, but if you haven’t yet caught any of their TV performances, here’s another chance. Their brand new record Hummingbird is amazing (and well worth the wait), and their performance is always top-notch!

Local Natives will be performing at Marathon Music Works in Nashville on 3/18/13. You can find more info here.

Bonus: Trinidad Jame$ on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon [NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]: I don’t know much about Trinidad Jame$ aside from that he’s obsessed with gold, he has a flair for disco fashion, and his new record, Don’t Be S.A.F.E., is one of the best sleeper hip hop releases of the year so far. Imagine a weirder, more cohesive Chief Keef and you’ll get the idea.

Trinidad Jame$ will be performing at Diamond Pub and Billiards in Louisville on 2/21/13. You can find more info here.

Bonus: The Vaccines on Conan [TBS; 11PM/10c]: The Vaccines have been making strangely late press rounds for their 2012 release Come of Age (which was great and totally went by unnoticed), but at least they’re finally showing America some love. Catch the indie punk outfit deliver one of their many smart, catchy tunes- better late than never!

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FRIDAY (2/15)

DON’T MISS: The Maccabees on Late Show with David Letterman [CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c]: English indie rockers The Maccabees still haven’t broken through in America in a big way, but it seems like only a matter of time. With tons of UK buzz, a fantastic new album, and a top-notch live show, this is definitely a group to keep on your radar (and the only band worth checking out for Friday night).

The Maccabees will be performing at The Masquerade in Atlanta on 2/19/13. You can find more info here. Here’s the video for the band’s single “Ayla:”

[youtube=http://youtu.be/MkcnPnY_2Mk]

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SATURDAY (2/16)

DON’T MISS: Alabama Shakes on Saturday Night Live [NBC; 11:30PM/10:30c]: Brittany Howard sure is having a good week. Last night, she performed at the Grammys with an ensemble which included Mumford & Sons and Elton John. Saturday, her band, Alabama Shakes, will make their Saturday Night Live debut. They’re not exactly a hometown band, but they’re still so engrained in our scene that we can’t help but feel like this is a win for Nashville!

Here’s the band performing “Hold On,” last year on ‘Conan:’

[youtube=http://youtu.be/VuTgU4G_klk]