Spring is upon us, and the signs are not in the weather. Rather, we simply have to look at the music calendar around town to see that outdoor events are popping up faster than weeds in your yard. We have bike-themed fun, two days in the sun, and a block party to boot. Don’t wear yourself out though, because this weekend also features evenings with some of our absolute faves around town. Go ahead, and start planning your days of play with all of our staff picks in another edition of TWiN!
FRIDAY
JUSTIN FORREST
@ Soulshine Pizza | 7pm | Free | All Ages
This local guitar prodigy started playing when he was just seven years old and has been shredding almost every since. Now, at the tender old age of twenty, he is poised to make a huge splash in his hometown and abroad. His trademark acoustic shredding will be on full display, and for free even, so check him out before he’s a household name and tickets cost an arm/leg. [JR]
RITES OF SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL: STEVE AOKI, DELTA RAE, TWENTY ONE PILOTS, ACE HOOD, SMALL POOLS
@ Vanderbilt Universtiy | 4pm | $40-60 | All Ages
It’s that time of year again, everybody. The annual Rites of Spring festival over Vanderbilt will take place throughout the weekend, and that means a whole slew of killer acts for you to enjoy. The Friday night lineup features house legend Steve Aoki as the headliner. Aoki will be joined by groups of all genres, including the folky sounds of Delta Rae and indie pop act Twenty One Pilots. In all, this promises to be one heck of show (as it is every year). You can still pick up day and weekend passes through the official Rites of Spring webpage, and you can head here for a full preview of the lineup. [JS]
SUNDY BEST W/ AUBRIE SELLERS
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $8 | 18+
These Kentuckians are a unique duo in what appears to be an ever-growing trend of two-man bands. Together Nick Jamerson (guitars/vocals) and Kris Bentley (cajón) are Sundy Best, and they bring southern-fried, foot stompin’, college rock to growing audiences weekly. If Bob Seger grew up in Prestonsburg, KY instead of Detroit, MI, he’d probably sound something like these guys. Newcomer Aubrie Sellers will contribute her soulful singing, and if you’re lucky, she’ll do her cover of “I Put a Spell on You.” Both performances will be amazing – and a steal for just $8 – so make sure you don’t miss out! [JR]
SUPERCHUNK W/ BULLY
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm | $15 | 18+
We’ve been eagerly anticipating this one for months, and we’re floored that it has finally arrived! Seminal indie rock outfit (and Merge Records founders) Superchunk will make their Nashville debut after a 13-year absence. Most recently, the band have released two of their best, 2010’s Majesty Shredding and last year’s I Hate Music, and we can’t wait to see them play both the new stuff and their ’90s classics live! Joining the NC rockers are locals Bully; and that’s one hell of a reason to show up early! Let’s make this one count, because Superchunk’s last Nashville outing fell short in attendance. Head here for a full show preview. [PO]
VINYL THIEF W/ INTL AND PHIN
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $7 | 18+
As we announced last month and expanded on in a full preview this morning, local electro-rockers Vinyl Thief are set to play their first hometown show in awhile, and first in support of their killer new EP, Stop Motion. These guys are destined for big things, and we can’t wait for their debut full-length, Fathoms, coming soon! Check out our brand new podcast with the guys, and be sure to show up early to catch local alt/indie rockers INTL and indie pop act Phin! [PO]
SATURDAY
LIGHTNING 100 PRESENTS: SPRING BLOCK PARTY W/ THE WILD FEATHERS, THE APACHE RELAY, SOL CAT, ROOTS OF REBELLION AND MATT WALBERG AND THE LIVING SITUATION
@ Marathon Music Works | 5pm (doors at 3pm) | $15ADV/$20DOS | 18+
Peep our full preview from earlier this week for the whole scoop, but, amidst a crazy busy weekend, Lightning 100 and Marathon Village’s Spring Block Party at Marathon Music Works might just offer the most bang for your buck! Boasting a local lineup of The Wild Feathers, The Apache Relay, Sol Cat, Roots of a Rebellion, and Matt Walberg & the Living Situation, the Block Party will also feature food trucks, local artisans, and more! [PO]
RITES OF SPRING MUSIC FESTIVAL: 2 CHAINZ, CHERUB, THE MOWGLI’S, HARPER BLYNN, MISTERWIVES, AMY WILCOX, STIX IZZA
@ Vanderbilt University | 3pm | $40-60 | 18+
The second night of Rites of Spring has just as loaded a lineup as the first. Spectators can expect to hear from infamous rapper 2 Chainz as the Saturday night headliner. Nashville’s own favorite party dance duo Cherub will also be playing, as well indie rock act The Mowgli’s. All in all, this Rites of Spring seems to be one of the better ways to spend your evenings this weekend. Like we said before, both day and weekend passes are still available, so if this sounds like a fun show to you, there’s still a chance you’ll get to see it all go down. Head here for a full preview of the lineup. [JS]
*REPEAT REPEAT ALBUM RELEASE SHOW W/ BLANK RANGE, CHURCHYARD AND ELEL
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm | $10 | 18+
We spent some time telling you about this one this week, and hopefully, you’ve already bought your pre-sale tickets to give you the chance to win a ticket to Bonnaroo this summer! We know that Saturday is a big day around these parts, but you definitely need to save some energy for this bill of some of Nashville’s best! [MH]
TOUR DE FUN MUSIC FESTIVAL
30+ Performers, Food Trucks, Local Beer, & more
@ 10 Venues Across East Nashville | 11am | Free | All Ages
Beginning with a cook out and ending with some killer after parties, the bike-centric Tour de Fun music festival is celebrating its forth (and biggest) year! Boasting over thirty local performers in ten different venues across East Nashville, Tour de Fun is free and open to all ages (some venues may enforce their own age policies, however). There are way too many bands to list, but this year’s lineup is amazing, so head to our show preview for a full list and additional details. [PO]
BIG SMO W/ HOT ACTION COP
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $10 | 18+
How can one seamlessly combine polar opposites of the music universe, country and hip hop, and get people on board? One man has done it and it’s something to see. Tennessee native Big Smo is poised to release his major label debut, Kuntry Livin’ (Warner Nashville), and, through millions of YouTube hits and relentless touring, he has ushered in his own genre music nerds are calling country rap. You’re probably wondering how all this happened right under your nose without you even noticing, but, don’t worry, you can get completely up to speed tonight for just $10. Get there early for the crazy eclectic sounds of Hot Action Cop, and be sure to tell everyone how ahead of the musical curve you are at work on Monday. [JR]
SAINTSENECA W/ BLESSED FEATHERS AND HONEY LOCUST
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $8ADV/$10DOS | 18+
The Columbus, OH new wave folkster foursome Saintseneca are on tour for their latest release, Dark Arc, which just dropped earlier this month. Signed to the fabulous indie label ANTI-, they seem to be growing as artists just as their audiences grow in size. Fellow Midwesterners (WI) and ambient folk flavored Blessed Feathers round out the bill, with local southern indie folk favorties Honey Locust. Be sure to get there early so you get the most band for you buck. [JR]
DONOVAN WOLFINGTON, NATIVE AMERICA, POPE, AND RACHEL
@ neuhau5 | 8pm | $5 | 18+
Rock kids unite! New Orleans based indie punks Donovan Wolfington roll through another awesome Neuhau5 lineup. As always, RACHEL has done a great job of keeping it real on the DIY scene. The line up also includes sets from Native America and Pope. If you don’t know where this party is, roll through the Belmont neighborhoods until you hear thrashing! [MH]
SUNDAY
BEN TAYLOR W/ SAM PALLADIO
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $12 | All Ages
Musician, actor, and activist Ben Taylor has some serious shoes to fill: his parents are musical legends James Taylor and Carly Simon. That’s an unfortunate shadow to be raised in, however, as Ben is every bit as worthy of his own praise and personal artistic merit. Channeling a folk-influenced sound, Taylor has been releasing excellent albums for over a decade, and, though his music found some success and earned the talented singer a plethora of media placements over the years, it’s his most recent effort, Listening, that really helped Ben break through to a larger critical and commercial audience. Every bit as captivating as you would expect, Ben Taylor is worth a listen (and live attendance) wholly on his own, not just for his last name. Opening the show is folk-rock meets indie crooner Sam Palladio, best known as Gunnar on ABC’s Nashville but quite different from his television counterpart in his own musical endeavors. A native of the UK, Palladio certainly harbors respect for American country music traditions, but, in his own sound, draws more from influence folk and legendary singer-songwriters, with personal and introspective themes and a healthy nod to the modern indie rock and indie folk scenes. As always, these Nashville Sunday Nights, presented by Lightning 100, are a blast (and a bargain), so finish your week up right! [PO]
RADAR VS WOLF, NELO, THEM VIBES, SOUND CARDS AND THE SUMMER COUNTRY
@ The Basement | 8pm | Free | 21+
This little weekly going on at The Basement is picking up steam. The bills are always solid, and the beers are cheeeaaaap! This week’s episode features rockers all around. From locals like Radar v. Wolf and Them Vibes to touring acts like Nelo, this is a hard bill to pass up, and it’s FREE to boot! [MH]
THE CURE U ROADTRIP FT. THE VESPERS AND JUDAH AND THE LION
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm | $12 | 18+
Sunday will be a long overdue homecoming for the Belmont born band Judah and the Lion. For the better part of the spring, Judah and the Lion have shared the stage with the undeniably soulful, Andrew Ripp and the entrancing love birds, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors. But, despite their hectic schedule, Judah and the Lion also managed to swing by the studio in March to record some new songs for their first full-length album. Fans can expect that signature bluegrass instrumentation made up of acoustic guitar, mandolin, and banjo intertwined in inspirational lyrics and three part harmonies. Attendees this Sunday will get a first listen to some of these songs before hearing it on the record expected for next fall. Folksters The Vespers and Shel round out the bill. Not only will good music be promoted, but also a good cause. The show is sponsored by a non-profit organization called Cure, whom raise funds and awareness worldwide to offer medical treatment for children-truly a great cause worth a donation. So bring a few extra bucks and your dancing shoes to end your week the best way we know how-supporting great music and a great cause. [MH]
[JS] Jack Smith
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain