Americana Music Festival & Conference Weekend Preview

The Americana Music Festival & Conference hits the many venues of Nashville this week, and we’re already torn over where to be.  You are certainly in the same boat.  We feel for you, and put our heads together to give you some previews to help you make some decisions.  This is a very impressive lineup that includes living legends as well as up and coming acts.  Don’t think they stop at Americana either… this festival includes blues, rock, soul, and so much more.  I just wish we could clone ourselves.

We  gave you the scoop on Wednesday and Thursday already, and, after the jump, you can check out our rundown for this weekend. Good luck this weekend, pace yourself, drink water, be safe, and have a blast!

FRIDAY

Andrew Leahey & The Homestead, Holly Williams, Lisa Marie Presley, Darrell Scott & Tim O’Brien, Nora Jane Struthers & The Party Line
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm | $20 | All Ages

Ladies of Legacy can be found on Friday at 3rd and Lindsley. Both Lisa Marie Presley and Holly Williams are on the bill and the room will no doubt be full of spectators curious to see how far the creative gene can carry.  But I challenge you listeners to hear these women for their own unique voices. Rather than define them by their predecessors, allow yourself to take in their talent in a fresh context as they’re perfectly positioned among others in their field. Familiarize yourself with Holly Williams via our previous profile of her 3rd album and catch-up with Lisa Marie below. [JM]

Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans, Daniel Romano & The Trilliums, The Devil Makes Three, Delbert McClinton, Max Gomez, Buddy Miller Band, Howe Gelb, Austin Lucas, Ben Miller Band, Randall Bramblett
@ Cannery Ballroom| 7pm | $20 | 21+

Damn… we can’t even begin to explain this line up… entertaining comes to mind, as does mind blowing.  Leave it the fellas over at Cannery Row to pull together a weekend blowout.  I’m not going to run this one down completely for the sake of brevity, but headliner Corb Lund’s laughably sing along style should keep the crowd entertained until the wee hours on Cannery Row. [MH]

Luella & The Sun, Bottle Rockets, Caitlin Rose, Jonny Fritz, and Joe Fletcher & the Wrong Reasons
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm | $20 | 21+

Caitlin Rose and Luella and the Sun on the same bill. Yes, yes, yes. Did you catch Caitlin doing The National’s “Pink Rabbits?” No? Go here now. Did you come to our Luella and the Sun benefit After The Fire? No? Then go here.  If you answered “yes” to both of these questions, you don’t need us to convince you to hit up this show. If you answered “no,” we submit the following (below) into evidence. We rest our case. [JM]

Steelism, Andrew Combs, Treetop Flyers, JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, Alanna Royale
@ The Basement | 8pm | $20 | 21+

Between instrumental blues rockers Steelism, the always awesome country soul stylings of singer-songwriter Andrew Combs, London retro rockers Treetop Flyers, soul rockers JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, and our faves and friends of the site, the ever amazing Alanna Royale, The Basement seems like the place to be this evening. We’re never ones to turn down an Alanna show in the place that started it all, and the rest of this awesome bill just sweetens the deal. [PO]

Stewart Mann & Statesboro Revue, Shannon McNally, Judah & The Lion, Samantha Crain, Peter Bruntnell
@ The High Watt | 8pm | $20 | 21+

Ah, yet another great night of music at the High Watt, one of Nashville’s favorite smaller venues. This Friday Americana festival goers get the chance to see British singer songwriter Peter Bruntnell perform live and in person. Bruntnell will actually be playing a free show at the Groove saturday afternoon, but fans should make the effort to see him Friday night so that they can witness the astounding musicianship of Samantha Crain and Nashville locals Judah & the Lion. [JS]

The Farewell Drifters, Chelsea Crowell, Field Report, Amy Speace, and Kim Richey
@ The Rutledge | 8pm | $20 | 18+

Kim Richey is a gem and fans of Shawn Colvin will no doubt dig her vibe. You’ll recall her song “Come Around” from generous radio play on the old L100, and she is just the opener! [JM]

Sleepy LaBeef, SHEL, The Stray Birds, Claire Lynch Band, and Joy Kills Sorrow
@ The Station Inn | 8pm | $20 | 21

The Station Inn is Nashville’s home for bluegrass, so it’s no wonder tonight’s lineup consists of fantastic, young folk foursome SHEL and A-List multi-talented musician Claire Lynch & her band.  The amount of talented musicians on this bill is overwhelming; this lineup will be sure to please fans of old school and “newgrass” alike. Oh, and did we mention that SHEL does a killer cover of “The Battle of Evermore?” [LS]

SATURDAY

Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue, Levi Lowrey, Ashley Monroe, Scott Miller, and Melody Pool
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm | $20 | All Ages

I’ve loved Ashley Monroe since I used to scour liner notes to find out what writers wrote my favorite tracks on others artists’ albums. Though Monroe is perhaps best known for penning hits for Miranda Lambert or her membership in Pistol Annies, she’s now solidified herself as a solo artist with her new album Like a Rose. She’s been touring across the country and sharing bills with top artists, so catching her in the intimate performance setting of Third & Lindsley is sure to be a treat. [LS]

Rayland Baxter, Nikki Lane, Houndmouth, Water Liars, and Paul Kelly
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm | $20 | 21+

We couldn’t be more thrilled that No Country favs Nikki Lane & Houndmouth are sharing a bill this Saturday night at Mercy Lounge. Lane recently taped a session for CMT’s Concrete Country right here in Nashville at one of our favorite hangouts, Barista Parlor, where we heard she played some brand new tunes; hopefully we’ll get to hear some of those  tonight. Alt-country rockers Houndmouth released their debut album From the Hills Below the City this year; think CSNY-era Neil Young with some killer female vocals added to the harmonies.  [LS]

The Del-Lords, Amanda Shires, Tim Easton, Hymn For Her, Parker Millsap
@ The Basement | 8pm | $20 | 21+

Amanda Shires is adorable, sometimes a little surprisingly morbid, and certainly not to be overlooked. Watch her Tiny Desk Concert here and plan to catch her at the possibly perfect setting for her sound, The Basement. [JM]

American Aquarium, Matt Mays, Shakey Graves, The White Buffalo, Lindi Ortega
@ The High Watt | 8pm | $20 | 21+

Alt-country rockers American Aquarium headline The High Watt, with an unbeatable supporting lineup of indie singer-songwriter Matt Mays, retro rootsy singer Shakey Graves, California soul/Americana rockers The White Buffalo, and always fantastic Nashville transplant Lindi Ortega. There’s a hell of a show going on across the hall at Mercy Lounge, but this one’s worth considering as well! [PO]

Bushwackers, Hillbilly Killers, Laura Cantrell, Noah Gundersen, Rose Cousins
@ The Rutledge | 8pm | $20 | 18+

Coming to us from Halifax is Rose Cousins, the 2012 Canadian Contemporary Folk Singer of the Year and 2013 Juno Award winner, due to her most recent release, We Have Made a Spark. So basically what we’re saying is, this will most certainly be a fantastic show. Seeing as she’ll be joined by acts like Noah Gundersen and Laura Cantrell, things are looking very promising at the Rutledge this Saturday. [JS]

My Darling Clementine, Ruston Kelly, Willie Sugarcapps, The McCrary Sisters, Phil Madeira’s Mercyland
@ The Station Inn | 8pm | $20 | 21+

Nashville’s Phil Madeira’s Mercyland is a collaboration between Madeira, The Civil Wars, Emmylou Harris, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Buddy Miller, Cindy Morgan, Shawn Mullins, and a list of other renowned Americana and folk musicians. The result of this dream team can be nothing short of a killer performance. Up next are descendants of the legendary gospel quartet The Fairfield Four, The McCrary Sisters. This 2nd generation quartet will fill Station Inn with powerful and upbeat gospel harmonies. Sit tight for blues and country band Willie Sugarcapps followed by local folk and pop singer-songwriter Ruston Kelly. “All singing, all dancing” country duo My Darling Clemintine will rock out the rest of the night. [OF]

Can’t afford the wristbands? Check out these free weekend events!

Amanda Shires, The Bottle Rockets, Mike Stinson, and more!
@ The Groove on Friday | 5pm | Free | All Ages

If you can’t make it to Amanda Shires‘ performance at The Basement on Saturday, or free is more your speed, you should head to The Groove on Friday afternoon to catch a performance from Mrs. Jason Isbell, along with alt-country rockers The Bottle Rockets, singer-songwriter Mike Stinson and, apparently, more! There’s a preview of Amanda above, so here’s The Bottle Rockets: [PO]

Peter Bruntnell, Holly Williams, The Lost Brothers, Treetop Flyers, and more!
@ The Groove on Saturday | 12:30pm | Free | All Ages

The Groove is one of my favorite Nashville hangs, so it’s hard to resist “Bootleg BBQ” this Saturday: British Underground‘s party & showcase where great UK talent is mixed up with local acts (i.e. Holly Williams, Sturgill Simpson).  Local eats & drinks are available for purchase, with Porter Road Butcher serving up delicious bbq, & Jackalope Brewing Company taking care of all of your day-drinking needs.  [LS]

Americanarama VI ft. Billy Bragg, The Reneaus, Steelism, The Dexateens, Daughter, T. Hardy Morris, The Autumn Defense, Alabama Tribute, and Willie Sugarcapps
@ The Basement on Saturday | 12pm | Free | 18+

The guys over at The Basement (as are a lot of venues around town) are going to have a well deserved day off on Monday, but let’s hit ’em while they are hot. This lineup is almost like a No Country Americana Fest all star line up.  We don’t even know who to highlight with here with an embed.  We’ll flip a coin, but if you miss this free event on Saturday, you’re nuts.  Especially if you’ve been on the flight in the video below. [MH]

[JS] Jack Smith
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JG] Jared Godar
[JM] Jessika Malone
[LS] Lauren Strange
[MH] Matt Hall
[OF] Olivia Fay
[PO] Philip Obenschain