Since Puxatawney Phil took to the hole for another six weeks, we find ourselves with no choice but to keep our winter wears within arms reach for a bit longer. If there is one good things about live shows, the gyrating masses of bodies tend to keep the temperature up. We have another incredible selection of live shows going on this weekend all over town. From Bridgestone to The Stone Fox and from VIP to free, there is certainly something that will tickle your fancy in our latest edition of staff picks. Read on below for this week’s edition of TWiN.
FRIDAY
KOA
@ Soulshine Pizza | 7pm | Free | All Ages
Starting their collaborations at Belmont University in fall 2012, these guys are about as home town as it gets. They did the whole Postal Service thing and began sending each other material via the inter-webs, before officially becoming a band and releasing their debut EP, Cool It Down, earlier this month. They are all about “good vibes” and “making people dance” according to their FB page, so see them for FREE at Soulshine and catch the vibrations for yourself! [JR]
MAN MAN w/ XENIA RUBINOS
@ Mercy Lounge| 9pm | $15 | 18+
Philadelphia experimental rockers Man Man are one those bands you HAVE to experience live to really understand fully. The group’s fifth album, On Oni Pond, was released last fall, and is as avant garde and fun as ever. On recordings, they’re progressive and boundary-pushing, but live, they’re an exercise in showmanship, high-energy rock, and unparalleled performance ability. [PO]
MARGO & THE PRICE TAGS w/ JOSH FARROW, BANDITOS, DESLONDES
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | 21+
Ah, Margo Price. She’s a keeper. Just when we thought things couldn’t get better than her band Buffalo Clover, she starts a new project called Margo & The Price Tags, gracing us with the sweet vocal blend of her fierce and alluring honky tonk pipes with Sturgill Simpson’s. In his recent SOLD OUT show with Jason Isbell, we told you he’s reminiscent of a “younger, less strung out Waylon Jennings.” The combination of these two artists is Best Country Duets worthy. Nashville is lucky to call Banditos our own. They sound of truck stop gospels and blackout nights at Disgraceland with stomp n’ holler, shoot a gun flavor. Add in Josh Farrow’s seductive southern soul plus Deslondes (formerly Tumbleweeds who have toured with Hurray For The Riff Raff) and you have a line up that screams Music City. [LT]
FRIENDSHIP COMMANDERS w/ THAT’S MY KID, BEST FRIEND
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $5 | 18+
Woop, woop… Friday gets off to a good start with a show of stellar up and comers. Friendship Commanders bring their femme fronted rock sounds to The High Watt with two stellar up and comers on Friday night. That’s My Kid were a recent L100 artist of the week, and we always jump at the chance to check out Best Friend. Have another listen to some new jams from Best Friend that we highlighted in a post last week. [MH]
KINGS OF LEON w/ GARY CLARK JR.
@ Bridgestone Arena | 8pm | $29.50-59.50 | All Ages
We’ve been telling you about this one for months, but, in case you’ve been under a rock, hometown boys Kings of Leon will play their first Nashville date in four years, backed by Gary Clark Jr! Their latest release, Mechanical Bull, is their best in awhile, and the Kings have quite a few years of arena touring under their belts at this point, so get ready for one hell of a homecoming. [PO]
SOUND CARDS, DELANA STEVENS AND THE BEGGAR SAINTS, THE GREAT AFFAIRS, DARLNG PARADE
@ The Rutledge | 8pm | $5 | 18+
While every band on this bill is worth the $5 cost of admission, it’s openers Darling Parade who make this one a must-see! The Nashville pop rockers were recently named an “Artist to Watch” by MTV Hive, and are primed to have one fantastic 2014! They’re on right at 8, so make an effort to show up early! [PO]
SATURDAY
LEE BAINS III & THE GLORY FIRES w/ TURF WAR, KINGS OF THE F***ING SEA
@ The Basement | 9pm | $7 | 21+
Rock n’ roll is the key to the evening on Saturday at Exit/In. Alabama rockers Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires team up with up and coming local bangers Turf War and Kings Of The F***ing Sea. I’m not going to use asterisks to tell you that this will be a FUCKING good time. [MH]
DRIVIN’ N CRYIN’ w/ LOS COLOGNES
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $15 | 18+
Talk about a pairing made in heaven, southern rooted rockers Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ have been laying down the licks for nearly 30 years, and they have an undeniable following of fans. Team them up with Los Colognes, who sound like they have been out on the road for 30 years, with their revitalized take on some classic rock n’ roll sounds, and you are in for a serious evening of head bobbing over at Exit/In. [MH]
WE’RE HEAR FOR YOU BENEFIT FT. REARVIEW GHOST, HOT MESS LOVES YOU, HOTEL WAR, REGULATION NINE
@ 12th & Porter | 4:30pm doors | 9:00pm music | $0-$10 | 18+
We’re hEAR For You is a charity that is trying to protect the constantly battered eardrums of musicians and music fans, and they are kicking off their campaign here in Nashville with free hearing screenings by Vanderbilt specialists and custom mold fittings for earplugs starting around 4:30 pm. There will also be raffle prizes including a Golden Ticket to every 12th & Porter show for you and a guest for a year, tickets to see Manchester Orchestra or Christina Perri, a meet & greet with Lady Antebellum, & lots more. The day long event caps off with a bill that will truly test those new plugs. Have a great time for a great cause! [MH]
MUSIC CITY BURLESQUE 2ND ANNUAL CABIN FEVER PEEP SHOW
@ Marathon Music Works | 9pm | $15ADV/$20DOS/$150VIP | 18+
Bummed you weren’t a winner of our Music City Burlesque’s 2nd Annual Cabin Fever Peep Show ticket giveaway? Cheer up because tickets are still available to experience an artistic cast of award-winning ladies who have performed at Bonnaroo, Katy K’s Girlesque Shows, New York Burlesque Festival, Miss Exotic World, The Palace of Wonder and Viva Las Vegas. It has been said that lower Broadway used to be a peep-show district of sorts itself and Marathon Music Works will take you back with classy, speakeasy fashion. The heady spectacle of music production and performance from Quiet Entertainer will keep the vibe of the night flowing as he spins and molds his accompanying set for an introspective experience. Download his newest album Intelligent Design for FREE and check out his set from a show with MUTEMATH for a preview of what’s to come. [LT]
THE CUNNING w/ NORTH BY NORTH, RAVENHILL, ATA
@ The End | 9pm | $5 | 18+
We’re really excited about this show and dropping a full-length preview tomorrow, so be sure to check that out. It’s an amazing bill for just $5, and probably the steal-of-the-week. Only in Nashville can you get so much amazing live music for so cheap! Read the preview, tell your friends and don’t miss out. [JR]
SLICK, 3BIRDS, THE JOY KILLS, THE WOOLY MAMAS
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $Cheap | 21+
Smoky bar lovers rejoice! Your favorite smoky east side venue is set to come alive with the rocking sounds of some up and coming Nashville rockers. Slick, 3Birds, The Joy Kills, and The Wooly Mamas will be a blend of genres that all have the common denominator of rocking. [MH]
SICK/SEA
@ Cafe Coco| 8pm | $5 | All Ages
Indie pop trio Sick/Sea are one of our favorite up and coming groups, channeling a substantive, layered, and eclectic flavor of pop and alt rock, reminiscent of acts like Eisley, Merriment, and Copeland. For $5, this Texas group is perhaps the best under the radar value of the weekend, no matter who the “TBA” openers turn out to be. [PO]
LEWIS BLACK w/ JOHN BOWMAN
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 8pm | $32.50-65 | All Ages
Socially conscious, angry, and downright hilarious actor/comedian Lewis Black is the best at what he does: old school, satirical, rant-oriented and observational comedy. He’s a hell of a standup, and doesn’t tour a ton anymore, so this Ryman performance will undoubtedly be one for the books. [PO]
COURTNEY JAYE w/ MATT CAMPBELL, CHRIS SCUGGS
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | 18+
Local songstress Courtney Jaye topped more than a few top albums of 2013 lists with her last release Love And Forgiveness, an album that we loved. Don’t miss out on a chance to catch a fairly-rare-these-days local performance at the always intimate Stone Fox. [MH]
SUNDAY
TROUBADOUR KINGS w/ THE SHADOW BOXERS
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $10 | All Ages
Troubadour Kings sound like the love child of Dire Straights and Nashville. If you can’t imagine what that will sound like, then you should check out the video below while you are canceling your Sunday night date with your sweetie. The Shadow Boxers open things up around 8pm. [MH]
THE VALLEY ROOTS, ANCHOR THIEVES, WESTON & FRIENDS, MARK MINELLI, CARTER BECKWORTH
@ The Basement | 8pm | FREE | 21+
How often do you get out to see shows on Sunday night? Your night of rest and recovery is likely to take a turn towards the fun and i’ll-sleep-when-i’m-dead when you head over to The Basement to check out this free event on Sunday night. [MH]
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[LT] Lindsey Thompson
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain