If you don’t know that it’s Bonnaroo weekend, then this is obviously your first time to ever visit our site. However, giant, potentially rainy, camping festivals aren’t for everyone, and they’ll leave a nice sized dent in your wallet. So, if you are sticking around Music City this weekend, we’ve rounded up a bunch of amazing events that will keep you dancing, drinking, and having a blast without spending a fortune. Check out all of our top staff picks with this week’s edition of TWiN, and don’t forget to follow our crew at the Roo through our Twitter and Instagram feeds!
FRIDAY
NASHVILLE PRIDE FEST: JD SAMSON, NONONO, MARY LAMBERT AND QDP
@ Public Square Park | 4pm | $5/$25 weekend pass | All Ages
Not going to Bonnaroo this weekend? That’s alright, you can still get your festival vibe on here in Nashville by checking out the Nashville Pride Fest. Organized in support and as a celebration of the LGBT community here, the festival will span Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. With the Friday night headliner being JD Samson of El Tigre and MEN, the night promises to be a lot of fun. At only $5 (or $25 for both days), it’s not going to break the bank, so why not go and check out this fantastic festival. [JS]
GROUPLOVE
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $40 | 18+
Here’s a show even Bonnaroo attendees would be jealous of. A night before they grace one of the fest’s main stages, indie/dance pop act Grouplove will make a stop in Nashville for a considerably more intimate show at Exit/In. This is more than just a mere pop in, however; it’s a benefit for an amazing cause. Proceeds from the performance will go to benefit the Mr. Holland’s Opus foundation, which, in turn benefits music education in Nashville area schools. Earn some karma points, see an amazing show in a great setting, and do some good. [PO]
MAN OVERBOARD W/ TRANSIT, FORVER CAME CALLING, KNUCKLE PUCK
@ The End | 7pm | $15 | All Ages
Giant festivals, hippies, camping, and larger than life performers not your bag? Prefer your shows a little more DIY, your scene a little more tight-knit, and your music a little more pop punk? You’re in luck, because New Jersey’s Man Overboard, whose motto is literally “Defend Pop Punk,” are coming to town, and they’re bringing along like-minded emo/pop punk revivalists Transit, Forever Came Calling, and Knuckle Puck. For the crowd who’d pick Warped Tour over Bonnaroo any day, this is the show for you. [PO]
D STRIKER, JUSTIN AND THE COSMICS, LONEY JOHN HUTCHINS
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $5 | 21+
D. Striker’s Friday the 13th parties have been going on for years now, and, this time around, Striker brings his eccentric, often humor filled evening of country-tinged songs to The 5 Spot. This is the only Friday the 13th of 2014, and it’s pretty darn close to a full moon. Now, I’m not some card reading, astro hippie, but that may just be a sign that you should get your ass to The 5 Spot on Friday night. [MH]
EARL BURROWS, SEXX AND THE GRAYCES
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm |$5 (at the door)| 18+
If you can’t make it to ‘Roo this year, be sure to head to The Stone Fox to set your Friday the 13th off right. Local newbs Earl Burrows have been garnering more and more of our attention these days. It’s one of the more innovative sounds that we’ve heard in town of late, as evidenced in their track “Hey Me Israeli”. Get there early to grab a bite to eat, and be sure to catch fellow Nashvillians Sexx & The Grayces, all for only $5! [JR]
SATURDAY
ERICA CASE
@ Grimey’s | 5pm | Free | All Ages
Local Rock ’n’ Roll singer songwriter Erica Case is equally influenced by Joan Jett and Joey Ramone and contagious spunk that is fun to be around. Bring whoever to this FREE all ages show, where she’ll give you taste of what her sound is all about. Even though there’s no cover charge you’ll definitely need to bring some money. Your inevitable record selections will not be free. [JR]
NASHVILLE PRIDE FEST: BETTY WHO, LISA LOEB, RASEAN MONTRESE, PONYCHASE, THE HARMALEIGHS AND KYLIE ROTHFIELD
@ Public Square Park | 10am | $5/$25 weekend pass | All Ages
Amidst all of the craziness of summer is Nashville’s Pride Festival, featuring artists such as Jessica Newham – better known as Betty Who. If you follow Betty Who on Instagram, you’ve been privileged to see the artist partake in Selfie Sundays which show off the native New Yorker’s eccentric side. Betty Who hits the Bridgestone Main Stage at 6PM, but don’t forget to check out the other musicians – there will be performances all day starting at 10AM. [BM]
EAST SIDE HOOTENANY: BUFFALO CLOVER, MOSELEY, STAGOLEE AND COOPER & THE JAM
@ East Park | 4pm | Free/$30 | All Ages
How many of you piled into Marathon Music Works last Monday night for that 100th Anniversary of Lightning 100’s The 615? We did, and man was it ever a party. It was a solid reminder of how solid of a band Buffalo Clover is. They absolutely owned that ostentatiously lit up stage, and they won over all of that capacity crowd. If you didn’t have the patience for that line, or, you just aren’t hip to Buffalo Clover yet, this Saturday is the perfect opportunity to right your wrongs. [MH]
MUSICIANS CORNER: JULIE ROBERTS, MAJESTICO, REGGIE WOOTEN AND FRIENDS
@ Centennial Park | 1:30pm | Free | All Ages
If you aren’t going to Bonnaroo this weekend, Musicians Corner is the place to be. This Saturday features quite the variety from funk with Reggie Wooten, rock and roll with Majestico, and country from The Voice contestant Julie Roberts. Come out and relax in Centennial Park. Oh, did I mention it was FREE? [SM]
SUNDAY
VALERIE JUNE
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm | $10 | All Ages
If you don’t get a chance to catch Valerie June during her set at Bonnaroo this weekend, you can still see the songstress this weekend at 3rd and Lindsley. Renowned for her smooth voice and unique lyricism, Valerie June is a refreshing blast of air to the folk scene. Originally hailing for Memphis, it’s quite obvious that June taps into her Southern roots when creating her tunes, an influence she channels into a sophisticated musical product. Recently, she has begun working with Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, releasing her newest album Pushin’ Against a Stone in 2013. It’s a phenomenal effort that’s a bit more rocking than many of her previous releases, and we definitely recommend you catch this act this Sunday. [JS]
THE COAL MEN, DEREK HOKE, WILL HASTINGS, JORDAN DEPAUL AND GOSSAMER
@ The Basement | 8pm | Free | 21+
While Elton John wails at the Roo for $4 million or so dollars, you can head down to The Basement for free to catch some wailing of your own. This one has beer specials, and will still likely leave you in much better shape for work on Monday morning. Let’s face it, Elton started in a small venue at one point as well, and you may just have the opportunity to see the next rising star on Sunday night. [MH]
[BM] Beth McAllister
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JS] Jack Smith
[KD] Kurtis Dickerson
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain
[WD] Wes Davenport