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Unless you have been living under a rock this week, you know that Americana Fest has taken over almost every venue in town. While we’ve been supporting that effort this week, we are going to step back and take a look at everything happening in Nashville this weekend. We have a few Americana Fest events highlighted below, but you should definitely check here for the full rundown. On the outside of Americana Fest, we also have the Kings Of Leon supported Music City Food + Wine Festival going, as well as quite a few shows from some local standouts. Take a look at all of our staff picks in yet another edition of TWiN!
FRIDAY
FUTURE THIEVES
@ 12th & Porter | 6:30pm | Free | All Ages
Local rockers Future Thieves are this week’s Lightning 100 Artist of the Week, and will be performing for FREE at L100’s new Friday night home, 12th & Porter. Channeling a straightforward, retro-leaning American rock sound, the group are a perfect way to kick off what’s shaping up to be a packed weekend! [PO]
AMERICANA FEST: KRISTINA TRAIN, PETER BRADLEY ADAMS, JOSH RITTER, ETHAN JOHNS, ALLISON MOORER
@ City Winery | 8pm | All Ages
City Winery certainly has been making a splash since their (slightly premature) opening to capture some of Americana Fest, and tonight is no different as an all star lineup gets started with longtime Americana sweetheart Allison Moorer and finishes up with the up and coming Ms. Kristina Train. As with most showcases for Americana Fest, the middle of the bill are no slouches either. [MH]
PHOENIX MENDOZA w/ THE COSMIC BROTHERHOOD, THE MODERN ROYALS
@ 12th & Porter | 9pm | 18+
LA native and resident Nashvillian Phoenix Mendoza and his band will bring their ’70s silky smooth pop rock and Motown-inspired tunes to 12th & Porter for your enjoyment. Local Blusey, jazz ensemble The Cosmic Brotherhood and Music City via Chicago psychedelic sex rockers The Modern Royals fill out an amazing (non-Americana) bill. Check it out! [JR]
AMERICANA FEST: TIM CARROLL’S ROCK N’ ROLL HAPPY HOUR
@ The 5 Spot | 6pm | 21+
This may be one of the best deals in town. Singer-songwriter-guitarist Tim Carroll is usually joined by Bones Hillman (Midnight Oil) on bass and Steve Latantation (Agent Orange) on drums for 2+ hours of great rock & roll music and cheap drinks with no cover charge. Don’t be surprised if some other great local musicians stop in for some guest appearances. [JMo]
AMERICANA FEST: MATT THE ELECTRICIAN, DAVID RAMIREZ, CORY BRANAN, THE HOWLIN’ BROTHERS, COURTNEY PATTON, JOHN MORELAND
@ The Groove | 5pm | Free | 18+
While a great number of the indie rockers that we know call East Nashville home, there aren’t a lot of (official) Americana Fest events going on right of the river. Our friends over at The Groove have put their foot down though, and they are hosting an evening with a few of our faves around town like Cory Branan and The Howlin’ Brothers. This is a good opportunity for those of you that aren’t wristbanding, badging, paying audience to experience a little of the Fest in your back yard. [MH]
ROBYN HITCHOCK
@ Grimey’s | 6pm | Free | All Ages
English psych folk, jangle pop rocker Robyn Hitchock, is out touring in support of his latest offering The Man Upstairs, and you can get a taste fo FREE! Be sure to get their early, because space is limited for all Grimey’s in-stores. [JR]
AMERICANA FEST: SHAKEY GRAVES, THE HARPOONIST AND THE AXE MURDERER, JIM OBLON, MARAH AND SONS OF BILL
@ The Basement | 8pm | $20 | 21+
Shakey Graves might as well be taking up residency in Nashville. With multiple chances to see the Austin TX wonder over the weekend, and again next month at Mercy Lounge. This is just one chance in many to see why all the venues (and The Avett Brothers) were clamoring to get Shakey on their bills this week. [MH]
THE ASCENT OF EVEREST w/ OLD BABY, PALE POOLS
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $7 | 18+
Often times, music nowadays lacks substance; think of the dozens of pop songs released just this year with unoriginal lyrics and simple drum patterns to placate the masses. While this type of music is great for parties and grocery stores, sometimes you want a little more substance to your music. You want pieces of art that transcend everyday life, and allow your mind to travel an introspective journey inwards. Sometimes, you want The Ascent of Everest. This local group would likely be classified as post-rock, and indeed their music sounds reminiscent of recent This Will Destroy You. Regardless, the band will be playing their uniquely atmospheric and layered tracks with Old Baby and Pale Pools at the Stone Fox at 9, so if this is your cup of tea, you know know where to be tonight. [JS]
AMERICANA FEST: JAMESTOWN REVIVAL, JOE PURDY, BLAKE PAIRIE, GREEN RIVER ORDINANCE, THE BROS. LANDRETH
@ Mercy Lounge | 7pm | $20 | 18+
In case you somehow managed to miss out on this, Americana Fest is kind of a big deal here in Nashville. The event features numerous prominent folk, country, and Americana artists, including the esteemed Jamestown Revival. Making good use of vocal harmonies and warm, loose backing tracks, the group definitely fits right into the scene here, and thus it should come as no surprise that they’ve been asked to headline the Mercy Lounge. You can catch them with a variety of awesome acts tonight, so go ahead and get your Americana Fest weekend off on the right foot. [JS]
AMERICANA FEST: CORY BRANAN, THE SILKS, MATTHEW RYAN, NQ ARBUCKLE, TRUTH & SALVAGE CO.
@ The High Watt | 7pm | $20 | 18+
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Cory Branan has become a fixture of the local scene, and, while his Music City shows are frequent, catching him as a part of Americana Fest, along with The Silks, Matthew Ryan, NQ arbuckle, and Truth & Salvage Co. should make for one hell of a fun time. [PO]
AMERICANA FEST: THE DEVIL MAKES THREE, JD WILKES 7 THE DIRT DAUBERS, IAN MCLAGAN
@ Cannery Ballroom | 7pm | $20 | 18+
Similar to Shakey Graves, The Devil Makes Three may as well just set up shop here in Nashville. They’ve been all over the place during the fest, including blowing our minds during their Ryman performance on Wednesday. If you can’t catch them this week, don’t fret because we’re going to be giving you a shot to win some tickets to see them at Marathon Music Works on Halloween as well! [MH]
AMERICANA FEST: BASKERY, DANNY & THE CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD, PETE MOLINARI, JONAH TOLCHIN, HADEN TRIPLETS
@ Third Man Records | 8pm | All Ages
We chose to cover this show primarily because we’ve been longing to see the Haden Triplets since we announced the release of their first album together with Ry Cooder. We also knew Third Man’s reputation as a magnet for extraordinary artists, so it wasn’t a surprise when we started learning about Baskery, Danny & The Champions of the World, Pete Molinari, and Jonah Tolchin and confirmed tonight was going to be a memorable night at the Blue Room. [SJ]
SATURDAY
AMERICANARAMA VII: THE SILKS, BANDITOS, HYMN FOR HER, MIKE FARRIS, EJD, KEVIN GORDON, JOHAN TOLCHIN AND IAN MCLAGAN
@ Grimey’s | 12:30pm | Free | All Ages
If you want to get in on the Americana Fest fun without ponying up for a la carte tickets or a wristband, Grimey’s has you covered with its annual Americanarama. Per usual, it’s totally free and all ages, and this year’s lineup features some great names like The Silks and Banditos! [PO]
MUSICIANS CORNER: OVER THE RHINE, THE BROTHERS COMATOSE, SLEEPY MAN BANJO BOYS, PHIL CODY
@ Centennial Park | 12pm | Free | All Ages
Always a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, this week’s Musicians Corner is a special Americana lineup including Over the Rhine, the Brothers Comatose, the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys and Phil Cody. Sleepy Man Banjo Boys are three brothers under the age of 18 who hail from the great bluegrasss state of…New Jersey?? They began performing bluegrass covers, as well as their own compositions, at a very young age. [JMo]
AMERICANA FEST: THE AVETT BROTHERS w/ THE LONE BELLOW, SHAKEY GRAVES, ANGALEENA PRESLEY
@ Riverfront Park | 5pm | All Ages
This was the big kicker of this year’s Americana Fest. The Avett Brothers were nominated for group of the year, but lost out to The Milk Carton kids. However, you can expect a much bigger draw when the festival-sized headliners take over Riverfront Park for what should be a ridiculously crazy night downtown (See Music City Food + Wine below). Don’t fret though, grab a Lyft, Uber, bike, bus, or taxi, and get their early because The Lone Bellow, Shakey Graves, and Angaleena Presley will blow your mind too. [MH]
AMERICANA FEST: ROCK MY SOUL PRESENTED BY THIRTY TIGERS FT. FAIRFIELD FOUR, AMOS LEE, MCCRARY SISTERS
@ Downtown Presbyterian Church | 5pm | All Ages
Nashville natives and music icons, The McCrary Sisters and Fairfield Four, will rock your soul as they perform with their special guests in the sanctuary of the historic national landmark, Downtown Presbyterian Church. Free entry with AmericanaFest badges and wristbands or $15 at the door. Show will be taped for a PBS broadcast. Doors at 4pm. You must be seated by 4:45pm. [JMo]
BEN KAUFMAN, BRIAN HOLL (FOREIGN FIELDS), BROOKE WAGGONER, DAN BRIGHAM (CANON BLUE), ERIC HILLMAN (FOREIGN FIELDS), HITOSHI YAMAGUCHI, JEREMY LUTITO (LEAGUES)
@ OMG (Old Made Good) | 7pm | $5 | All Ages
In an event dubbed The Great Aspirations of Sun Conductor, a number of Nashville hottest musicians are joining forces at an unusual venue for what may be the most interesting thing you will see all weekend. Details on this musical debut are slightly sketchy, but word on the street is that this will essentially be a jam session with peeps from your favorite bands. Things get started around 7pm, and entry will run you a mere $5, which seems really cheap to be in the same room with this much talent. [MH]
AMERICANA FEST: STEEP CANYON RANGERS, PAUL BURCH, MISS TESS & THE TALKBACKS, BRADFORD LEE FOLK, REBECCA FRAZIER AND HIT & RUN
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $20 | 18+
North Carolina bluegrass outfit Steep Canyon Rangers are, perhaps, best known for their associations with comedian turned banjo virtuoso Steve Martin, but, on their own, are an incredibly talented act. Paired with Paul Burch and more, they make 3rd & Lindsley an enticing Saturday night option for fans of the more traditional side of Americana and bluegrass music. [PO]
MUSIC CITY FOOD + WINE – HARVEST NIGHT FT. KINGS OF LEON, MICHAEL MCDONALD, PHOSPHORESCENT, BRENDAN BENSON, MOON TAXI, THE WATSON TWINS, AND MORE!
@ Walk Of Fame Park | 7pm | $225 | All Ages
Nashville is not only flooded with Americana this weekend, but also with renowned chefs, as the Kings of Leon curated Music City Food + Wine fest returns for another exciting year. This one’s definitely geared towards the foodies, but music fans will also find something to love, with performances from the Kings as well as Moon Taxi, Brendan Benson, Phosphorescent, Ashley Monroe, and more! [PO]
AMERICANA FEST: THE DANBERRYS, FEUFOLLET, THE DEADLY GENTLEMEN, MICHAELA ANNE, GRACE AND TONY
@ The Station Inn | 8pm | 18+
We love the Station Inn and are very excited to catch this AmericanaFest showcase featuring the DanBerrys, the Deadly Gentlemen again in addition to Feufolett and Grace & Tony for the first time. We have seen husband and wife Ben and Dorothy, the DanBerrys, as a duo, trio, quartet or more and always enjoy their high energy and great vocals. [JMo]
AMERICANA FEST: JOE FLETCHER & THE WRONG REASONS, NEW COUNTRY REHAB, LOS COLOGNES, MATT THE ELECTRICIAN, ANTHONY D’AMATO
@ The Basement | 8pm | $20 | 21+
Pairing talented locals Joe Fletcher and Los Colognes with touring acts New Country Rehab, Matt the Electrician, and Anthony D’Amato, this Basement showcase might just be one of Americana Fest’s more intimate, low-key gems. [PO]
AMERICANA FEST: LERA LYNN, AARON LEE TASJAN, CAROLINE ROSE, HARLAN PEPPER, BLACKIE AND THE RODEO KINGS
@ The High Watt | 8pm | $20 | 18+
We’ve said it before but the intimate High Watt is our favorite of the three Cannery area venues, and we are excited about a lineup that includes favorites Lera Lynn and Blackie & the Rodeo Kings and the chance to check out some that are new to us. Rolling Stone Country picked Lera Lynn as one of the must-see artists at AmericanaFest this week, saying, “Like Emmylou Harris and Patty Griffin, Lera Lynn makes the sort of shimmering, swooning folk music that’s more about texture than twang” and hailing her songs that “brew up images of lost highways, dusky landscapes and storms on the horizon” on new album The Avenues, which we are proud to say we supported through Kickstarter. [JMo]
AMERICANA FEST: BILLY JOE SHAVER, DOUG SEEGERS, JASON EADY, TONY JOE WHITE, CHUCH MEAD & HIS GRASSY KNOLL BOYS
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm | $20 | 18+
As if the legendary Billy Joe Shaver weren’t enough to draw us in to Mercy Lounge on this Saturday night, the outstanding Doug Seegers, Jason Eady, Tony Joe White, and Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys will be there as well. Every now and then we need a reminder that good country music is still being produced, and these artists fit that bill perfectly. [SJ]
SUNDAY
AMERICANA FEST: THIRTY TIGERS GOSPEL BRUNCH w/ ELIZABETH COOK, THE MCCRARY SISTERS, THE FAIRFIELD FOUR AND MORE
@ City Winery | 11am | All Ages
When Sunday morning is coming down, and you need your Gospel fix to get right, City Winery is the destination. Elizabeth Cook, the McCrary Sisters, The Fairfield Four, and even more artists are going to be there to lift you up with some righteous sounds. [SJ]
AMERICANA FEST: GUMBO & GOOD TIMES FT. MUSIC CITY DOUGHBOYS, JP HARRIS, SMITH & WEEDEN
@ Fond Object | 2pm | All Ages
If you are like us, you are big fans of Fond Object. If you are us, you live within walking distance of Fond Object. Needless to say, a walk to hang with friends and enjoy some great tunes on Sunday sounds about perfect after a hectic weekend like this one. See you there. [MH]
SEAN MCCONNELL W/ BEN DANAHER
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $10 | All Ages
Sean McConnell is truly one of those artists who adopts a genre as his own and redefines it. This americana singer/songwriter has been known to dissolve into completely chaotic rock and roll before swinging back abruptly into his americana/folk roots. It makes for a dramatic and exciting show, one that amidst Americanafest you’ll want to take a moment to check out! [BM]
POST AMERICANAFEST SUNDAY ALL DAYER FT. GUTHRIE TRAPP, FUTURE THIEVES, NORA JANE STRUTHERS, THE END MEN, BLACKFOOT GYPSIES, TIM EASTON, JORDAN DEPAUL, ELISE DAVIS, LIZ COOPER, THE CARMONAS, BEBE BUELL, GREG AMELL
@ The Basement | 1pm | 21+
The party keeps rolling at The Basement on Sunday, as they are committed to outperforming everyone else in town in the sheer magnitude of their Americana pride. This one features a plethora of genres, and is really just set up to be an all out Sunday Funday party. We may not be there as the doors open, but we’ll be there for sure at some point. This lineup is just too good to pass up! [MH]
LEE FIELDS & THE EXPRESSIONS w/ CHARLES WALKER, AJ & THE JIGGAWATTS
@ Exit/In | 7pm | $15 | 18+
Rock ’n’ soul, R&B blues man Lee Fields is back in Music City with The Expressions, and we assure you it’s always a good time (we told all about his last visit in this post). Fellow soul man Charles Walker (of The Dynamites fame) will fill in the middle spot of the bill, and locals AJ & The Jiggawatts will open things with their rock, funk, soul sounds. If you’re a soul baby, there’s no better to end your weekend! [JR]
TWENTY | ONE | PILOTS w/ MISTERWIVES, VINYL THEATRE
@ Marathon Music Works | 7:30pm | SOLD OUT | 18+
We hope you bought your tickets to see twenty | one | pilots when we first announced or when we reminded you about their show, because this shining beacon of punk/alt/hip hop amidst of sea of folk and Americana is totally sold out! [PO]
[BM] Beth McAllister
[JS] Jack Smith
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JEM] Jessika Malone
[JMo) Jeff Moody
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain
[WD] Wes Davenport
[SJ] Shawn Jackson