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 (3/18)
DON’T MISS: Killer Mike on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon [NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]: Monday night, the only performance you need to worry about is Killer Mike! After a whole week of Justin Timberlake, Fallon‘s keeping the momentum going by featuring the Atlanta rapper. Mike put out one of the best hip hop records of 2012, R.A.P. Music, and is one of the freshest rappers in the game right now. Don’t miss his sure-to-be-fantastic performance!
Killer Mike will be performing with Big Boi at Marathon Music Works in Nashville on 5/30/13. You can find more info here. Check out Mike’s music video for the “Big Beast,” featuring Bun B, T.I., Trouble, and El-P:
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TUESDAY (3/19)
DON’T MISS: Black Prairie on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno [NBC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: Black Praire is a Decemberists side project, featuring all but frontman Colin Meloy (along with members of The Woolwines and Dolorean). They lean more bluegrass than indie rock or folk like their main gig, and they’re certainly more experimental, but seriously a lot of fun! Check out the band’s latest, A Tear in the Eye Is a Wound in the Heart.
Here’s the video for the band’s single “How Do You Ruin Me:”
Bonus: Maximum Hedrum on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: Maximum Hedrum is a collaboration between DJ/producer Sam Spiegel (Spike Jonze’s younger brother), composer Harold Faltermeyer, and Sepultura frontman Derrick Green. The band is a commentary on the effect of technology on our lives, and they’re a dancey explosion of fun.
Bonus: Garbage on Late Show with David Letterman [CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c]: If you missed Garbage’s awesome stop on Leno back in December, you’ve got another shot to catch them on Letterman! The group’s latest release is great, and they always put on a fun performance!
Bonus: T.I. on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [ABC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: When T.I. latest album dropped back in December, I called it a step in the right direction, but not as solid as I had hoped for. Nonetheless, he’s one of the sharpest southern rappers around and a great performer.
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WEDNESDAY (3/20)
DON’T MISS: RDGLDGRN on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [ABC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: I admit, one of these guys is an old friend, so I’m a bit biased. You might be interested in their television debut, however, because they just dropped an amazing debut EP which features a certain Mr. Dave Grohl on drums and production from Pharrell.
RDGLDGRN will be performing on the Vans Warped Tour at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood in Atlanta on 7/25/13. You can find more info here. Here’s the band’s official video for “Million Fans:”
Bonus: Glossary on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: Indie rockers Glossary hail from our own backyard: Murfreesboro. The group’s optimistic, densely orchestrated take on rock pulls from a ton of strong influences, and makes them one of the most diverse and exciting groups we can claim!
Bonus: Gary Clark Jr. on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno [NBC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: Texas bluesman Gary Clark Jr. has become a fixture both with television appearances and festivals in recent years, and with good reason. He’s one of the most exciting innovators of of the genere in years, and incredible performer!
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THURSDAY (3/21)
DON’T MISS: Big Black Delta on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: Big Black Delta is the solo project of Mellowdrone frontman Jonathan Bates. Where Mellowdrone is subdued, post-punk, and, well, more mellow, Big Black Delta is brash, intese, and flush with old school ambient electronic sweeps melded with modern dance music. It’s fun to see a more visceral side of Bates!
Here’s the official video for single “Betamax:”
Bonus: Atlas Genius on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno [NBC; 11:35PM/10:35c]: I’ve recommended Atlas Genius in this feature time and time again, but it’s because they’re just that good. If you missed them on Kimmel or Fallon, or if you’re as hooked on them as I am, don’t miss the Australian indie rockers on Leno!
Atlas Genius will be performing at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville on 6/9/13. You can find more info here.
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FRIDAY (3/22)
DON’T MISS: Sigur Ros on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon [NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]: Sigur Ros are inarguably one of the most talented bands making music today, and their television performances are few and far between. I’m still bummed they’re not going to be at Bonnaroo this year, but can’t recommend enough that you tune into their performance on Fallon!
Check out the band’s video for “Ekki Mukk:”
Bonus: The Coup on Last Call with Carson Daly [NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]: The Coup of one of hip hop’s seminal ’90s politically charged groups, but they often get overshadowed by peers like Public Enemy. In recent years, they’ve retreated into the indie rap world, but they’re still as politically charged and musically sharp as ever!
