TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | August 16-18

It was another big turnout for Live On The Green last night, but this weekend brings a ton of excitement to the table. We’ve spent most of the week previewing East Nashville Underground’s summer session this weekend.  If that doesn’t float your boat though, there is still a ton of other stuff going on!  All of our picks are right after the jump, just get out to see some live music!

FRIDAY

Ben Cameron
@ Soulshine Pizza | 7PM (5-7PM happy hour) | Free | All Ages

There may not be a more relaxing way to start your weekend than pizza, beer, and the pleasant voice of Ben Cameron.  He’s Lightning 100’s local artist of the week, and, hopefully, he’ll bring his guitar over to my backyard bonfire sometime this fall.  [MH]

EAST NASHVILLE UNDERGROUND: RANCH GHOST, RI¢HIE, TIPPER WHORE, PLASTIC VISIONS, THE JAG, & STAGOLEE
@ The East Room | 9PM  | $20/$30 | 21+

So wait… when was the last time that you went to a basement party featuring two Bonnaroo bands and a darling of alternative press media representing 50% of the lineup?  That’s exactly what is going on here.  We ran it down earlier in the week, and you should already have your tickets by now.  [MH]

JIMMY EAT WORLD W/ ROYAL BANGS
@ Marathon Music Works | 8PM (7PM doors) | $27/$30 | 18+

Jimmy Eat World return to Nashville in support of their sixth studio album – Invented – featuring quirky pop-rockers from Knoxville, Royal Bangs. Longtime Jimmy Eat World fans can rest assured that the band’s newest material doesn’t venture into completely unknown musical territory, since Mark Trombino, who produced their first three albums (Static Prevails, Clarity, & Bleed American), also produced their latest effort, which recalls the huge choruses and catchy hooks of their previous efforts. Enjoy some new tunes from Royal Bangs and get nostalgic with the much-loved band that provided the high school soundtrack for many a Y2K-era kid. [LS]

MACHINES ARE PEOPLE TOO W/ VINYL THIEF, & THE JOY OF PAINTING
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 9PM (8pm doors) | $10 | 18+

It’s a busy, busy weekend, but you can’t beat this dream pairing of talented locals: Machines Are People Too, Vinyl Thief, and The Joy of Painting. All three bands have been our on radar since the early days, have made appearances at East Nashville Underground in the past, and are graduating to do some speculator things; whether it be great records, festival appearances, or exciting support slots on major tours. Expect plenty of synths, dance-ready jams, and glimpse at three locals who are, without a doubt, destined for big things! [PO]

FATHER FIGURES W/ ADIA VICTORIA & THE SHADY REST, MUSIC BAND
@ The Stone Fox | 9PM (8pm doors) | $7 | 21+

We told you about Father Figures a while back when they played at FooBAR.  Maybe it’s just my oversaturated brain, but, when you get something this fresh that sounds this amazing, you should pretty much drop whatever you are doing to see them.  Things get started with Adia Victoria & The Shady Rest, and the un-googlable Music Band. [MH]

HEAVY SOLE W/ THE RENEAUS, JAMES & THE WILD SPIRIT and COYOTES
@ The Basement | 9PM | $5 (at the door) | 21+

If there were to be a fall edition of East Nashville Underground, all of these bands could very well be on the lineup.  We’ve been fans of Heavy Sole for a while now, and The Reneaus just popped across our radar screen.  Have a listen below, and figure out why we consider this bill stacked. [MH]

MORNING TELEPORTATION W/ DESERT NOISES & BLACK SEA ROYALTY
@ Mercy Lounge | 9PM (8PM doors) | $8/$10  | 18+

Bowling Green music fans are in hog heaven this weekend in Nashville.  Unfortunately, they are going to have to make some decisions.  While Buffalo Rodeo and CTE related acts are performing on the East side, fellow bowlingreeners (what do people from Bowling Green call themselves anyway?) Morning Teleportation will bring their awesome rock sounds to Mercy Lounge. [MH]

AJ & THE JIGGAWATTS, DEROBERT AND THE HALFTRUTHS, MAGIC IN THREES
@ The High Watt | 9:30PM (8:30PM doors) | 18+ ($5) 21+ (FREE!)

In “Pimp Decisions,” AJ and the Jiggawatts proclaim, “Pimp decisions is making the right decisions for you, and only you.” Based on that advice, I’m going to call it a certified “pimp decision” to make it over to Exit/In on Friday. AJ and the Jiggawatts are joined by fellow GED Soul Records labelmates DeRobert and the Halftruths and Magic in Threes, who are every bit as soulful, funky, retro, and awesome as you would expect. A warning, though: don’t go if you’re not ready to dance your ass off. I’m pretty sure they’ll have security escort you out if you’re standing still.  [AC]

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SATURDAY

EAST NASHVILLE UNDERGROUND DAY SHOW: PONYCHASE, NATALIE PRASS, THE ALLEN THOMPSON BAND, BUFFALO RODEO, JOSH FARROW
EAST NASHVILLE UNDERGROUND NIGHT SHOW: WILD CUB, CLEAR PLASTIC MASKS, BAD COP, EL EL, CASHATT, SLICK, DJ JAZZY JAZZ
@ The East Room | 1PM – 3 AM | $10/$20/$30 | All Ages

Woah. This might be the best roster for a single day of ENU that I’ve seen. There are far too many incredible bands on playing at the East Room this Saturday to discuss them all, so let me give you the highlights. First, if you’re looking to get some quality day-drinking time in, make sure to head over early for some 80’s-tinged synthy dreampop courtesy of Ponychase. Then, if you stick around for the rest of the day show, make sure to slam a five hour energy (or two) — you’re going to need it for the night ahead. I managed to see Wild Cub recently at Third Shift’s SXSW Sendoff Party at Mercy Lounge, Bad Cop at Nashville Scene’s Sounds Like Summer, and El El at our own 2-Year Anniversary Show, and each easily and handily stole the respective shows. I don’t know whose going to come out on top this time, but I can guarantee the ride is going to be awesome. [AC]

[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/9059333″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

DIARRHEA PLANET
@ Grimeys New & Preloved Music | 3PM | FREE | ALL AGES
DIARRHEA PLANET (ALBUM RELEASE) W/ HUNX & HIS PUNX, THE SO SO GLOS, HUNTERS, & BULLY
@ Exit/In | 9PM | $10/$12 | 18+

Is this possibly the best weekend of music all summer? It just might be. Diarrhea Planet have become a local force to be reckoned with, and their latest album, I’m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams, is perhaps the best Nashville rock record of the summer. Catch ’em at Grimey’s for a free in-store, then catch the insanity of their record release show at Exit/In. If it’s anything like their Freakin’ Weekend performance, you’re in for an unforgettable night. DP should be enough to get you there, but the incredibly-stacked supporting acts are the icing on the cake. [PO]

JASON ISBELL W/ CAITLIN ROSE
@ The Ryman | 9PM (8PM doors) | SOLD OUT | 21+ 

If you didn’t catch Jason Isbell‘s impromptu sit-in during Amanda Shire’s in-store at Grimey’s earlier this week, you can catch him in a more formal setting, at the Mother Church- if you managed to buy tickets ahead of time! Otherwise, you’d better start scanning StubHub. We’re recommending this one for opener Caitlin Rose alone, we just can’t get enough of her! Here’s why: [PO]

BRUNO MARS W/ FITZ & THE TANTRUMS
@ Bridgestone Arena | 8PM | $64/$49.50 | All Ages 

Billboard chart-topper Bruno Mars brings his funky Moonshine Jungle world tour to Nashville this Saturday night, accompanied Motown-inspired indie favs Fitz and the Tantrums.  Mars knows just what to sing to make the ladies swoon, so be prepared to be floored by a motown-inspired arena show which channels greats like Michael Jackson and Prince. Wear your dancing shoes because Fitz and the Tantrums bring a combo of neo-soul & pop sure to have you swaying even before the newest member of young pop royalty hits the stage.   [LS]

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SUNDAY

THE CULT w/ WHITE HILLS
@ Marathon Music Works | 8PM (7PM doors) | $35/$40 | 18+

Back in the spring, we told you that legendary Brit rockers The Cult would be playing their classic Rick Rubin-produced 1987 album, Electric, in full at Marathon Music Works. If you’re a fan, this is a pretty once-in-a-life opportunity, so don’t let it pass you by! [PO]

THE DIRTY GUV’NAHS W/ ERNIE HENDRICKSON
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8PM (6PM doors) | $12 | All Ages

The Dirty Guv’nahs were the only band on Paste’s “12 Tennessee Bands You Should Listen To Now” that I thought they missed the boat with.  Not because you shouldn’t listen to them, but because everyone already was listening to them.  The Knoxville based rocker were selling out Cannery Ballroom months before that article published.  Needless to say, this is a pretty rare and intimate performance for these guys.  [MH]

[AC] Adam Cowden
[JM] Jessika Malone
[LS] Lauren Strange
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain