It’s been awhile, but we’re finally bringing Music on Television out of retirement, and back as a weekly feature! We’re making just a few more tweaks to the format, to keep it as clean and streamlined as possible, but, more or less, it’s the same feature that you remember: a roundup of the best live music on television each week. Not only are we saving you time by wading through each live performance, but we also hope to help you discover some great up and coming bands, many of which will be passing through Nashville in the near future!
Don’t forget, we’re also adding tour dates and ticket links for the artists performing in Nashville and surrounding areas. Get those DVRs set for:
MONDAY | 9.9
DON’T MISS: KANYE WEST
on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
[NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]
In a surprise last minute announcement, Kanye West has been confirmed as the musical guest on Fallon. The rapper, who just announced his first solo tour in five years, will perform “Bound 2,” the latest single from his new album, Yeezus. Kanye’s been innovating with one television performance after another lately, so this is one you won’t want to miss!
[Live | 12.1.13 | Philips Arena, Atlanta | Info]
Bonus: Holy Ghost!
Jimmy Kimmel Live! | ABC; 11:35PM/10:35c
[Live | 10.28.13 | Terminal West, Atlanta | Info]
Bonus: Janelle Monáe
Late Show with David Letterman | CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c
[Live | 11.17.13 | Ryman Auditorium, Nashville | Info]
TUESDAY | 9.10
DON’T MISS: VOLCANO CHOIR
on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
[NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]
Though indie rockers Volcano Choir are the side project of Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, their 2009 debut, Unmap failed to live up to the latter’s creative heights, and ultimately slipped by mostly unnoticed. With their latest release, Repave, the group finally sound whole, and viably unique in their own right. With Bon Iver currently on hiatus, this is the full distillation of Vernon’s artistic focus.
Bonus: Local Natives
Conan | TBS; 11PM/10c
[Live | 9.30.13 | Tabernacle, Atlanta | Info]
WEDNESDAY | 9.11
DON’T MISS: MGMT
on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
[NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]
We’ll level with you- MGMT‘s second album fell short of their debut. The first single from their forthcoming third, “Your Life is a Lie,” is a bit of a disappointment. Also, the duo don’t exactly have the best track record for television appearances in the first place. Why is this our Wednesday pick? Simply out of curiosity- good or bad, MGMT always deliver something worth talking about.
Bonus: Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Jimmy Kimmel Live! | ABC; 11:35PM/10:35c
THURSDAY | 9.12
DON’T MISS: ALT-J
on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
[NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]
We loved ’em at Bonnaroo, their debut, An Awesome Wave, was one of our favorite releases of last year, and we’ve never seen them give anything less than a stellar live performance. It seems like alt-j sells out every space they play in town, big or small, so if you can’t seem them at The Ryman in two weeks, you can at least tune into Fallon.
[Live | 9.21.13 | Ryman Auditorium, Nashville | Info]
Bonus: Wavves
Conan | TBS; 11PM/10c
[Live | 10.8.13 | The Masquerade, Atlanta | Info]
Bonus: The Weeknd
Jimmy Kimmel Live! | ABC; 11:35PM/10:35c
[Live | 9.30.13 | Fox Theatre, Atlanta | Info]
FRIDAY | 9.13
DON’T MISS: JOHNNYSWIM
on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
[CBS; 12:35AM/11:35c]
Husband and wife duo Johnnyswim got their start in Nashville, before recently relocating to Los Angeles. The group made their late night debut last month on Leno, after being named one of VH1’s “You Oughta Know” artists, are are continuing their television momentum on Craig Ferguson. Their folky, poppy debut EP, Heart Beats, is out now!
[Live | 9.21.13 | Lipscomb University, Nashville | Info]
Bonus: Drake
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c
[Live | 11.7.13 | Philips Arena, Atlanta | Info]