New year, old feature. The holidays are over and late night programming is back, so welcome to Music on Television, a roundup of the best live performances each week on TV. Not only are we saving you time by wading through everything for you, 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 town and in surrounding areas. Get those DVRs set for:
MONDAY | 1.13
DON’T MISS: ST. LUCIA
on Last Call with Carson Daly
[NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]
Brooklyn-based St. Lucia, the stage alias of Jean-Philip Grobler, has been on our radar in a big way over the past couple of years. His 2013 debut full-length, When the Night, propelled by infectious lead single “Elevate,” is enough to make him our top pick to kick off the week. An eclectic array of bonus choices include noise pop duo Sleigh Bells on Letterman, indie pop trio London Grammar on Kimmel, and folky indie act Jamestown Revival on Conan.
Bonus: Sleigh Bells
Late Show with David Letterman | CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c
Bonus: London Grammar
Jimmy Kimmel Live! | ABC; 11:35PM/10:35c
Bonus: Jamestown Revival
Conan | TBS; 11PM/10
[Live | 2.1.14 | The Loft, Atlanta | Info]
TUESDAY | 1.14
DON’T MISS: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
[NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c]
The boss himself, Bruce Springsteen, will drop by Fallon to perform in celebration of the release of his latest album, High Hopes. Fan or not, you can’t deny that the dude never puts on anything less than a stellar performance. Not to mention, he and Jimmy have a great track record for incorporating hilarious bits and parody songs. If Bruce isn’t really your style, consider electro/indie rockers STRFKR on Carson Daly and rocker Chris Isaak on Leno.
Bonus: STRFKR
Last Call with Carson Daly | NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c
Bonus: Chris Isaak
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | NBC; 11:35PM/10:35c
WEDNESDAY | 1.15
DON’T MISS: MOON TAXI
on Conan
[TBS; 11PM/10c]
The seemingly unstoppable force that is Nashville psyched-out rockers Moon Taxi will make their first television appearance of the new year, with a performance on Conan. We’ve been covering these guys since well before they broke out with this kind of success, and can’t wait to see where the rest of 2014 takes them! Two other No Country faves will also grace your Wednesday television airwaves: Tame Impala on Carson Daly and The Orwells on Letterman. You can’t go wrong!
Bonus: Tame Impala
Last Call with Carson Daly | NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c
Bonus: The Orwells
Late Show with David Letterman | CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c
[Live | 3.10.14 | The Masquerade, Atlanta | Info]
THURSDAY | 1.16
DON’T MISS: ICONA POP
on Last Call with Carson Daly
[NBC; 1:35AM/12:35c]
It’s a tough call, but our top Thursday night recommendation goes to Swedish dance pop duo Icona Pop. They blew us aways last year at Exit/In, and they’ve haven’t had a lot of television time in the U.S., so we’re curious to see what they’ve got up their sleeves, especially in a more intimate setting like Carson Daly. Bonus picks are energetic indie pop group Neon Trees, who are prepping a new album, and the soulful Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, who just released one.
[Live | 4.18.14 | Bridgestone Arena, Nashville | Info]
Bonus: Neon Trees
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | NBC; 12:35AM/11:35c
Bonus: Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings
Conan | TBS; 11PM/10
[Live | 3.1.14 | Minglewood Hall, Memphis | Info]
FRIDAY | 1.17
DON’T MISS: ROADKILL GHOST CHOIR
on Late Show with David Letterman
[CBS; 11:35PM/10:35c]
Florida indie folk act Roadkill Ghost Choir will perform what we believe to be their television debut, on Letterman. That milestone, coupled with their immense talent and semi-frequent stops in Music City make them your best bet for Friday night. For the second night in a row, Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings offer a fantastic alternative, this time on Leno.
[Live | 2.24.14 | Zanzibar, Louisville | Info]
Bonus: Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | NBC; 11:35PM/10:35c
[Live | 3.1.14 | Minglewood Hall, Memphis | Info]
SATURDAY | 1.18
DON’T MISS: DRAKE
on Saturday Night Live
[NBC; 11:30PM/10:30c]
Pulling double duty as host and musical guest (and uniquely possessing the right chops to pull it off), Nothing Was the Same rapper Drake makes this weekend’s Saturday Night Live return a must-watch!
