Happy Memorial Day Weekend! If you aren’t already on the way out of town, you are in for a real treat. We have music G-A-L-O-R-E this weekend, including the Mud Bug Festival, East Side Hootenanny, Musician’s Corner, and May Day Festival all happening on Saturday! That’s not all though, Lightning 100 has a new happy hour joint for your Friday night libations, and then there are still a bunch of cool ass club shows going on. Needless to say, you have a busy long weekend ahead of you! Read up on all of our top picks in the latest edition of TWiN!
FRIDAY
ALL THEM WITCHES
@ Pour House | 6:30pm | FREE | All Ages
Long time fans of All Them Witches, it’s about time that all the Lightning 100 listeners finally get a taste. The heavy blues based noise rock badasses are a sonic spectacle on the radio, but seeing this come alive on the stage is a whole other experience. Check them out at the new Lightning 100 Friday night digs, as the same awesome set up from Soulshine moves over to Pour House on Friday night. The music gets started at 6:30, which means this is the best happy hour in town! [MH]
CARDBOARD KIDS CD RELEASE PARTY w/ GOLDEN YOUTH, LENACHKA AND POEMA
@ The High Watt | 8pm | $5/10(includes CD) | 18+
We already brought you the scoop on Cardboard Kids‘ debut full-length, Echo Boomer, and filled you in about their Cause a Scene hosted release show, alongside Golden Youth, Lenachka, and Poema at The High Watt. $10 will get you in AND get you a copy of the CD, and you can read more about it right here. [PO]
PENICILLIN BABY, SHY GUY, DOGTOOTH, CHURCHYARD
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $5 | 21+
The psychedelic indie rockers Penicillin Baby have been tearing up the Nashville scene as of late. Already this month they had their 7″ Release Show with a slew of friends at The Basement. Now, this weekend, they will be jamming at the 5 Spot with the grooving four piece Shy Guy, shoegazey post rock of Dogtooth, and the all female garage grunge of Churchyard. Tonight at 5 Spot for only $5 starting at 9 PM, head on over and get groovin. Also, for your listening pleasure, here is Penicillin Baby’s recent video for “Private School Kids.” [KD]
STEELISM W/ JP5 AND SPECIAL GUEST SINGERS ANDREW COMBS AND TAKAYA
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | 21+
We’ve been spewing our love for Nashville-based prodigal instrumental groovers Steelism for some time now, but this show marks a special treat for the band. They’ve brought in guest singers in Andrew Combs and Takaya to fill in the missing vocals. Add in JP5 to complete the vibe, and this might be your post Pour House stumble. [MH]
HOLLOW OX w/ TTOTALS, PALE RIDER
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | 18+
Hollow Ox may not be a name too many of you are familiar with yet, but you should get familiar quickly: the group have decided to call it quits. The local four piece play a very reverb heavy, almost ’80s influenced post-punk sound that we have to say is very pleasant. On record, this might appeal to fans of shoegaze and/or Joy Division, but we assure you that in person it appeals to just about everybody. It’s difficult not to find yourself sinking into their vast, buoyant layers of reverb, chasing the tail end of a chain of thought you’ll never experience again. It’s simply good music, at a fantastic venue, and it’ll be a great way to say goodbye to band that have been putting out tunes for eight years now. Plus, local spacey psychedelic duo TTotals and reggae dub master Pale Rider are opening. It’ll going to be an evening that can only be described in one slightly dated adjective…far out. [JS]
JACUZZI BOYS w/ MUSIC BAND, LOS HUEVOS
@ The End | 9pm | $12 | 18+
Over the past few years, Florida’s Jacuzzi Boys have transcended from garage rock revivalists to straight up rock and roll mavens, their evolution evident in full on their latest self-titled album. The group have a reputation for putting on unbelievable live shows, and their return to Nashville should be one of the weekend’s best (and, perhaps, most underrated) events. Add in Music Band and Los Huevos, and you’ve got a recipe for a damn good night. [PO]
THE RIVER WHYLESS w/ TYSON JAMES, THE NASHVILLE PLAYERS
@ The Basement | 7pm | $5 | 21+
We have to admit that The River Whyless is a pretty intriguing name for an act, and, to our great joy, their organic folk sound was captivating enough to deserve the name. If the trees and stones in a bright, sunny, healthy forest could make music, this is what it would sound like. There’s just something incredibly lively and organic about The River Whyless, and listeners will find themselves coming back again and again trying to determine the secret ingredient. Us? We think it’s the string section and the way the songs evolve over time. Regardless, it’s good music, and it’s sure to be a great show. Opening for the River Whyless is the pleasant bluegrass string act Tyson James and the Nashville Players. This show promises to be a good one, so if you’ve got $5 extra, why not check it out at the Basement tonight? [JS]
SATURDAY
MUSIC CITY MUDBUG FESTIVAL
@ Cannery Row | 4pm | $35ADV/40DOS | 18+
As we announced over a month ago, the Music City Mudbug Festival is set to invade Cannery Row this weekend, boasting two indoor stages, one huge outdoor stage, and five TONS of crawfish to keep your belly as happy as your eardrums. Performers include Mikky Ekko, AJ & The Jiggawatts, ELEL, Kansas Bible Company, and TONS more. You can find a whole preview here, and pick your tickets up while they last. [PO]
MUSICIANS CORNER: COIN, THE MCCRARY SISTERS, RIVER WHYLESS AND JUSTIN KLUMP
@ Centennial Park | 1:30pm | Free | All Ages
The totally free, all ages, outdoor Musician’s Corner showcase at Centennial Park continues this week, and, per usual, it boasts a killer lineup. We’re especially excited for headliners Coin, who have been rising in popularity around Nashville over the last year with their infectious indie pop sound. [PO]
EASTSIDE HOOTENANNY: MILKTOOTH, THE CUNNING, AJ & THE JIGGAWATTS, GUTHRIE BROWN & THE FAMILY TREE
@ East Park | 4pm | Free | All Ages
Times they are a changin’ on the East Side. Condos and houses are sprouting up faster than spring weeds, but music festivals are part of the mix too. Welcome in the second season of The Eastside Hootenanny in East Park! This year they’ve upgraded with VIP options (purchasable at the door) which entitles you to complimentary food and drink (thanks, Edley’s) and exclusive viewing privileges, but that doesn’t mean this family (and pet) friendly event isn’t still free to the budget conscious. The opening weekend features all blog favorites including headliners Milktooth! This is not to miss Saturday fun! [MH]
MAY DAY FESTIVAL: SLICK, COACH, *REPEAT REPEAT, ELISE TYLER, RAYLAND BAXTER, BLACKTOOTH RECORDS (DJ SET), THAT’S MY KID, SPICE J, FLY GOLDEN EAGLE (DJ SET), HYPE TAYLOR, BRYAN CATES, OCTAJOHN
@ FooBAR | 8pm | $7 for one night/$10 for the weekend | 21+
Saturday is a mother effer for awesome days of music. Save some energy from all of your afternoon delights, and head over to FooBar for an absolutely stacked evening of talent. Featuring a diverse array of music from DJ sets from the likes of Coach to the surf pop sounds of *repeat repeat to the soulful tunes of Rayland Baxter, they have every base covered! [MH]
GEDEON LUKE w/ KORBY LENKER, JOSEPH AARON
@ 12th & Porter | 9pm | $8/10 | 18+
Gedeon Luke is bringing some old school southern soul to Nashville. Originally from Memphis, Gedeon Luke made his way to New York City and is now returning to his southern roots while on his tour. His full length album, Live Free and Love, was recorded in front of a small audience and is a raw, live cut, and that’s because Gedeon Luke believes in presenting things in a natural way to the world. Since he’s bringing his unedited performing to 12th & Porter, why not check it out and experience some good old classic soul music with a modern twist? And if you still need to be convinced, listen to the incredibly upbeat song “Live Free” below. [BM]
SHANNON LABRIE w/ HOT MESS LOVES YOU, DAILY HOWL
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | 21+
Femme fronted powerhouse vocals send this show to the top of Saturday night. The headliner of the night features silky smooth R&B vocals that will literally make you knees weak. The opening slots go to Hot Mess Loves You and Daily Howl, and, blog fans, if you haven’t heard Hot Mess L0ves You, alleviate that transgression below. [MH]
SURFER BLOOD w/ MISFRUITS
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $12 | 18+
Experimental indie rockers Surfer Blood return to Nashville in support of last year’s Pythons. That alone would make this one of our most-anticipated shows of the weekend, but, coupled with openers Misfruits– and second round of Turbo Fruits’ Misfuits cover band (they debuted at Fond Object for Record Store Day), it’s basically essential. Read more about it here. [PO]
SUNDAY
MAY DAY FESTIVAL: MACHINES ARE PEOPLE TOO, KDSML, RI¢HIE, RATE, EVAN DONOHUE, LAURA & JASON OF QDP, KEVIN PERRYMAN & HUNTEE, DEVIL MAY CARE, AUSTIN MANUEL, T. RUST, CASE BLOOM
@ FooBar | 8pm | $7 for one night/$10 for the weekend | 21+
May Day Festival continues at FooBar on Sunday night with yet another stellar lineup. Featuring the high energy DJ sets of KDSML, Rate, and the QDP DJs, this line up also features indie rock in the form of Ri¢hie & T. Rust. Again, this one feature a little bit for everyone. Buy your tickets ahead of time, and you’ll pay less than a buck a band! [MH]
STARLITO w/ PETTY
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm | $17GA/40(w/ meet and greet after show) | 18+
Local rap and hip hop artist Starlio has been in the industry for going on 10 years now. He has many of own albums but also has appeared on tracks with artist like Young Buck and Lil Wayne. For just under $20 you can witness the hard work and charisma Starlito brings to the table. [SM]
JUSTIN FORREST W/ JIM OBLON
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm | $10 | All Ages
A little over 6 weeks ago, Justin Forrest was Lightning 100’s Local Artist of the Week and, now, he is headlining Nashville Sunday Night. Catch this singer/songwriter and guitar phenomenon at 3rd and Lindsley before he sets out to share his music with the rest of the country. [SM]
MONDAY
SPANISH GOLD
@ Grimey’s | 3pm | FREE | All Ages
Odds are, you probably already have at least some tentative plans lined up for this Memorial Day, but we say grill early, espcially so you have the time to see funky blues rock side project superstars Spanish Gold. The core of the band is comprised of Patrick Hallahan of My Morning Jacket (drums), Adrian Quesada of Fantasma (guitar), and Dante Schwebel of City and Colour (vocal, guitar), who are all accomplished in their own right, but something magical has happened when they all get together. This FREE show will be held to promote their debut album, South of Nowhere, which drops the next day (05/27). Be at ground zero for the birth of awesome, don’t miss this one! [JR]
DR. PEPPER BLUES BAND w/ CY BARKLEY AND THE WAY OUTSIDERS AND JAWWS
@ The East Room | 9pm |$5 | 18+
Psst. JEFF The Brotherhood are playing a “secret show” under the pseudonym Dr. Pepper Blues Band at The East Room on Monday night. Not really sure what’s up with the “secret” nature of the show, but rumor has it they are planning to debut some new tracks, and that is reason enough to stay out late to end your long weekend. [MH]
SHIVERY SHAKES w/ PLASTIC VISIONS, HEY ROCCO
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $7/$12 | 18+
Where will you be Sunday night? At The High Watt would be the correct answer. Shivery Shakes are a must see fuzzy pop band with feel good vibes and groovin’ guitar riffs. The could easily be the soundtrack for your summer or your new favorite band. Either way, they are making a stop in Nashville during their East Coast tour and you can get your ticket for only $7 here! [SM]
[BM] Beth McAllister
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JS] Jack Smith
[KD] Kurtis Dickerson
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain
[SM] Samantha Major