Raise your hand, if you had fun at Bonnaroo last week? You can’t see us through the computer, but we all have our hands raised high over here. You can catch up on all the fun that we had with our crazy extensive review from Thursday/Friday and Saturday/Sunday that almost killed us to compile. However, this weekend we celebrate the official beginning of summer, and as the solstice occurs, there are a ton of amazing shows going on. Do yourself a favor, and check out all of our top staff picks for the weekend in another edition of TWiN!
FRIDAY
JUSTIN KLUMP
@ The Pour House | 6:30pm | Free | All Ages
The touching song writing of Justin Klump is just one of the reasons that The Pour House is the ideal locale for your happy hour tonight. As per usual with the weekly Lightning 100 event, you can expect some happy hour specials, and good times with morning DJ Wells Adams. Get out and support local music! [MH]
THELMA & THE SLEAZE w/ DEAD DEADS, FLESH WOUNDS, THAT’S MY KID
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | 21+
The Basement is channeling the rock vibes on Friday night with an eclectic group of bands. Thelma & The Sleaze are a band on the rise of late, and we’ve been seeing this eccentric trio of gals popping up on more and more bills around town. Throw in recently L100 artist of the week, That’s My Kid, Nashville transplants sister act The Dead Deads, and rockers Flesh Wounds; and this night is definitely an opportunity to let your hair down. [MH]
SUDONISTAS, SHY GUY, RALES
@ fooBAR | 9pm | $5 | 21+
Some bands are loud, in-your-face, and command the attention of everyone in the room from the very first note to the last. Other bands, however, allow their music to subtly flit into existence, build into a climax, and just as gracefully fade away into nothingness. Sudonistas, a local four piece, most definitely fall into the second category. Their tunes are delightfully restrained, in a way that invites a close listening. While their recorded music is perfect for an introspective afternoon, their live show will certainly be something you won’t forget. Opening for Sudonistas are the shoegazey Shy Guy and alt rockers Rale. All in all, the night promises to be a lot of fun, so get on out to fooBAR and enjoy yourself! [JS]
JUSTIN FORREST
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 9:30pm | $10 | All Ages
Local pop rock maestro and guitar phenom Justin Forrest is currently touring in support of his latest release, Chapters, and he’ll be stopping in on one of our favorite venues this weekend. Watch him shred in the video below, and bring the whole fam to this all ages show to see why Justin is being hailed by many as the next great local guitarist and singer-songwriter. [JR]
BULLY, DELUXIN’, DIMPLES
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $5 | 18+
One of Nashville’s most buzzworthy up and coming bands, Bully, just seem to get better and better with each passing show. The group had the honor of literally kicking off this year’s Bonnaroo, and are prepping a full-length and further tour plans throughout 2014. We can’t get enough of their grungy, breezy alt-rock sound, and we urge you to catch them as often as you can in spaces like The Stone Fox before the secret’s out, and they graduate to bigger spaces. With Deluxin’ and Dimples on the bill, and a $5 price tag, this one should be a an easy choice! [PO]
FREE THROW, KITTYHAWK, NOUVEAU, SECRET STUFF
@ Cafe Coco | 8pm | $8 | All Ages
Leading the charge in Nashville’s surprisingly flourishing underground emo/pop punk scene, locals Free Throw have become the go-to band to support like-minded touring acts stopping in Music City. This particular time around, however, they’re on the road with Chicago’s Kittyhawk, and this happens to be their hometown stop. Nouveau and Secret Stuff will support, and this definitely tops our list for all ages, underground fun this weekend; Cafe Coco is quickly becoming the new Owl Farm. [PO]
SATURDAY
ELVIS COSTELLO
@ Ryman Auditorium | 8pm | $47-67 | All Ages
As we told you a few months back, legendary singer-songwriter Elvis Costello is bringing his acclaimed, stripped-down solo tour to The Ryman for what promises to be an intimate and unique treat. This one is NEARLY SOLD OUT, so, if you’ve been on the fence, grab your tickets now while they last! [PO]
EAST SIDE SUMMER SOLSTICE PARTY: THE HEAVY HEAVY HEARTS, THE SUMMER COUNTRY, BEARHEART, TWIN BED, TENASIE
@ 107 S. 11th Street | 10am | Free | All Ages
We all bitch that our weekends are too short, and the best way to remedy that is to get started earlier on Saturday. Things get started in the AM with the East Side Summer Solstice party featuring a stellar lineup. Head out early, and have a full day of awesome music! [MH]
SWITCHMEN, THE JOY KILLS, MYSTERY TWINS, AND WOOLY MAMAS
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $5| 21+
Sometimes, you just want to go to a show that you can dance to. Perhaps you’re feeling the afterglow of Bonnaroo, or maybe you’re going out with a group of friends, whatever: you just want to get your body moving. Well thank goodness Switchmen are playing The 5 Spot. We’ve written about these guys before, which should indicate our feelings on the topic, but just in case it’s not clear, we really dig the bluesy rock that this semi-local three piece puts out. Opening for them is a variety of local alt rock bands, all of which have penchants for putting out some pretty groovy tunes. Definitely get on out to the 5 Spot if you’re trying to get down this Saturday; you won’t regret it. [JS]
TWEENS, NO REGRETS COYOTE, FOX FUN
@ The End | 9pm | $8| 18+
We first got hip to Cincinatti rockers, Tweens, during Freakin Weekend this spring, and we’re stoked to see them coming back through town on their own headlining gig. Toss in No Regrets Coyote and Fox Fun, and you won’t have any regrets about checking this show out on Saturday. [MH]
SHARON VAN ETTEN w/ JANA HUNTER
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $12 | 18+
Critically acclaimed songwriter Sharon Van Etten is back in Nashville to share her new record and play at the Exit/In. Van Etten will have a full band backing her, as well as opening support from Jana Hunter of Lower Dens. Her video for “Every Time the Sun Comes Up” delighted us last month with its oddball late night horror show concept. Be on the lookout tomorrow for a full preview, but until then, watch the video for “Taking Chances” below. [WD]
EASTSIDE HOOTENANNY: ALANNA ROYALE, KANSAS BIBLE COMPANY, DEREK HOKE, QUEEN CITY HEIST
@ East Park | 4pm | Free/$30 | All Ages
Whoop, whoop… nothing screams summer like this hot sticky weather, cold beer, and great tunes in the park. Blog faves Alanna Royale headline this event, and we’re hoping to hear some new tunes they’ve been tracking of late. Kansas Bible Company were standouts from our Bonnaroo experience, and are a perfect fit to go along with this lineup. Derek Hoke and Queen City Heist are really just the cherryies on top. Do yourself a favor and upgrade to VIP for drinks and private restrooms! [MH]
MUSICIANS CORNER: THE STEELDRIVERS, NICK D & THE BELIEVERS, COMMITMENT BELLS, ERIN RAE
@ Centennial Park | 1:30pm | Free | All Ages
For the latest installment of Musicians Corner, we are lucky enopugh to have local blugrass legends The Steeldrivers, Ohio rockers Nick D & The Believers and fellow local noise rock new(ish) comers Commitment Bells all performing live! This is a jam packed, all ages, show that is 100% free, so get to the park early and be sure to hydrate, it’s going to be a hot one and we’re not just talking temperature! [JR]
THE WHIGS w/ PENICILLIN BABY, MOSELEY
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm | $12 | 18+
Southern garage rock trio and Nashville transplants The Whigs are set to play their first Music City date since the release of their new album, Modern Creation. We’ve been digging the LP, and are always thrilled to see the guys live. The addition of local favorites Penicillin Baby and Moseley on the bill? Sold. [PO]
STAGOLEE w/ FEEDBACK REVIVAL
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $7 | 18+
Stagolee is a Nashville-based group that transplanted here from Mississippi, and specialize in blues/rock music – and who doesn’t enjoy a good blues band? With three albums under their belts, the five-piece band have plenty of material to entertain you with. Check out a song from their most recent album, The Latest Craze, below. [BM]
SUNDAY
HAMILTON LEITHAUSER (OF THE WALKMEN) AND BEN OTTEWELL (OF GOMEZ)
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm | $15 | All Ages
We were incredibly saddened to learn that indie rockers The Walkmen were going on “extreme hiatus” late last year, especially since their 2012 release, Heaven, was, perhaps, their best in years. The spirt of the group lives on, however, in the form of frontman Hamilton Leithauser, who just released his solo debut, Black Hours, earlier this month. Not dissimilar from The Walkmen, Haliton’s solo effort is a personal, livelier, folkier, more experimental turn; no doubt helped by the involvement of Richard Swift, Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij, and former bandmate Paul Maroon. Leithauser is joined by Ben Ottewell of Gomez, and, if it’s anything like a Walkmen show, you don’t want to miss it! [PO]
MOON AGE, WILLIE AND THE GIANTS, MODERN PANTHEIST
@ fooBAR | 9pm | $5 | 21+
Despite only forming last year, Moon Age have already managed to make a name for themselves here in Music City. The five piece play alternative rock with a definite homage to their Southern roots; it’s exactly the kind of music that thrives here in Nashville. Interestingly enough, their debut EP features two of the members of the Wallflowers, which is a definite influence in their tunes. Opening for Moon Age are Willie and the Giants and Modern Pantheist. It appears as if fooBar will be having a number of fantastic shows this weekend, and we highly encourage you readers to get out and check some of them out. [JS]
BOWS AND ARROWS, IDLE BLOOM, MOM AND DAD, TTOTALS, RENEE SPARKLES
@ The Basement | 8pm | Free | 21+
Continuing the free Sunday night show tradition they’ve adopted as of late, The Basement’s lineup this week piqued our interest more than usual: a local bill of downtempo indie rockers Bows and Arrows, Fancytramp offshoot Idle Bloom, garage punks Mom & Dad, psychedelic rockers Ttotals, and Renee Sparkles. And, hey, you really can’t beat free! [PO]
[BM] Beth McAllister
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JS] Jack Smith
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain
[WD] Wes Davenport