The rain is in the rear view mirror (for now), and fall temperatures make this a primo time for an outdoor event. Lucky for you, Blocktober Fest is happening over at Marathon Music Works, but, if an afternoon in the outdoors isn’t your cup of tea, don’t fret, there are plenty of other incredible shows going on around town. We have art exhibits, free gigs, gigs you wished you had gotten tickets for, and more. Check out our staff picks for the weekend in another edition of TWiN!!!
FRIDAY
INSTRUMENTHEAD
@ Oz | 11am | $12 | All Ages
Music = art, but does art = music? All-star music photographer Michael Weintrob has spent his life documenting world class musicians, and has managed to compile a pretty impressive series of photography pieces entitled “instrumenthead” featuring a number of artists or players in your favorite bands artfully hiding behind their instruments. The Nashville exhibition, of course, features a number of local artists, and, of course, it just so happens that a number of them will be playing the event. Performances could include: Brian Siskind, Sam Bush, Tim Obrien, Randy Kohrs, Fats Kaplan, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Jay Sanders, Dave Pomeroy, Toddzilla, Peter Keys, Kenny Olson, Black Cat Sylvester, Jim Oblon, Buck Baxter, Futureman, Jeff Coffin, Michael Webb and Rick Lonow. Still confused? Just head here for all the information that you will need. [MH]
THE FUTURE
@ 12th & Porter | 7:15pm | Free | All Ages
Lightning 100 Artist of the Week The Future are throwing down a free early show at 12th and Porter. Get your pizza fix at Music City Pizza, then hop into the venue to catch the indie pop quartet. Pizza+free music is the undisputed best weekend starter, after all. [WD]
EAST SIDE GAMBLERS w/ DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
@ The Basement | 9pm | Free | 21+
There’s no denying the power of decent rock and roll. Even with the proliferation of country, DJs, rap, and jazz in today’s music scene, there’s still a sizable chunk of the population that wants nothing more than a heavy, sweaty rock show. For those of our readers that can identify with this desire, we recommend attending the East Side Gamblers show at The Basement. Besides the fact that this show is free, you’ll get to see some fantastic music from one of Nashville’s top rock acts. What more could you want? [JS]
SONS OF BILL
@ Grimey’s | 6pm | Free | All Ages
Virginia born roots rock band Sons of Bill are doing an in-store at Grimey’s prior to their show at The High Watt (see below). We recommend you catch one or the other…or better yet..hit both shows! [JMo]
DEL MCCOURY w/ HOT RIZE
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 8pm | $25+ | All Ages
This is a legendary double-bill that no true bluegrass fan should miss. The Del McCoury Band went through a number of changes until the 1980s, when the band solidified its line-up, adding McCoury’s sons. In 2004, they were nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album for It’s Just the Night, and, in 2006, they won that category for The Company We Keep. With 30+ IBMA awards including nine for Entertainer of the Year, and multiple Grammy awards, they’re the most honored group in bluegrass history.
Hot Rize was IBMA’s first Entertainer of the year and has now has marked over 30 years of bluegrass history. The band, which reorganized in 2002 and has continued to play several shows each year, are known for their powerful original songs, tight ensemble playing, and high energy stage show. They will be playing favorites as well as songs from their new and current #1 Billboard Bluegrass album When I’m Free, its first since 2014 IBMA guitarist of the year Bryan Sutton joined in 2002. [JMo]
THE AQUADUCKS w/ OPPOSITE BOX
@ The End | 9pm | $4 | 18+
The Aquaducks have been pinging our radar for a while. Their infectious brand of poppy soul funk is the perfect anthem for a party, and that’s exactly what we expect at The End on Friday night. Keep an ear open for some new jams from their reported upcoming record as well. Opposite Box opens this one up for a danceable beginning to your weekend! [MH]
OK GO
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm | SOLD OUT | 18+
Touring in support of their latest LP Hungry Ghosts, which dropped earlier this week, LA via Chicago alternative indie rockers OK Go will make a stop in Music City to explode confetti everywhere, and rock your socks off. The new, highly anticipated album is the follow up to 201o’s smash hit, Of the Blue Colour of the Sky, and they’re picking up right where they left off when it comes to their famously unique music videos. Unfortunately, if you don’t have tickets, the videos will have to entertain you, because this one is SOLD OUT! [JR]
SONS OF BILL
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $10ADV/$12DOS | 18+
Sons of Bill are three sons of retired University of Virginia professor William Wilson who grew up in Charlotteville, VA without a radio in their household. They are touring in support of their brand new album released this week, Love & Logic, which was produced by Grammy nominated producer and former Uncle Tupelo/Wilco drummer, Ken Coomer. Rolling Stone Country has high praise for the new album, said they were a must see tour and named them “Best Family Band” at the recent Americana Music Fest. We agree and think you will too. [JMo]
THE STEEL WHEELS
@ 3rd & Lindsley| 7pm | | $10 | All Ages
Based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, this dynamic four-piece string band marries old-time musical traditions with their own innovative sound and lifestyle, generating a truly magnetic revival. The Steel Wheels are selling out venues from coast to coast and appearing at many of the top festivals but you can catch them tonight at 3rd and Lindsley. [JMo]
SATURDAY
MUSICIANS CORNER: THE DELTA SAINTS, THE VESPERS, KINK ADOR, TWIN FORKS
@ Centennial Park | 1:30pm| Free | All Ages
Musicians Corner is back again for Oktoberfest. This Saturday, the music is kicking off at 1:30 and, for all you day drinkers, the kegs are open all day (happy hour from noon – 1:30 PM). This weekend, it’s all locals showing off their skills in Centennial Park. The Delta Saints, The Vespers, and Kink Ador will be rocking the stage with special guest Twin Forks. Remember listening to Dashboard Confessional in your emo phase back in high school? The old frontman Chris Carraba, went back to his southern roots in 2011 and started the Americana band Twin Forks, and we seriously can’t wait to hear this greatness. Saturday will be beer, music, and history in the making. [MC]
SAUNA HEAT, PRIVATE LIVES, WATCHER, WAXED
@ Mad Donna’s | 9pm | Free | 21+
Hailing from Savannah, Georgia, Sauna Heat is the sort of band that goes big or goes home (they list their general managers as Bob Dylan and Tina Turner…we’re not sure, but they might be bluffing). Regardless of their comedic boasts, what they don’t joke about is their hardcore rock and roll attitude towards music. Most recently the three-piece band put out a three song EP titled Double Denim on Sept. 27. Check out a sample song from the EP below. [BM]
CIVILIAN w/ NEIGHBORS, WALKER LUKENS & THE SIDEARMS, DEBUTANTE
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | 21+
As per usual, The Basement has a number of fantastic shows to offer this weekend. Of particular note is the Debutante show, which will feature Neighbors, Walker Lukens and the Sidearms, and Civilian. This grand showcase of acts will take listeners through a range of sounds from soulful to melancholy to rocking. All in all, this is a great value for only a $5 cover, and definitely a great spot to come party this Saturday. [JS]
MILK PEOPLE (CD RELEASE PARTY) w/ SECRET CLUB, THE WHIPPORWILLS, DOWN BOY
@ The End | 9pm | $5 | 18+
Local indie-blues rockers Milk People are playing The End this Saturday night with fellow Nashvillians Down Boy, The Whippoorwhills and Secret Club to celebrate their debut EP release. The $5 cover charge gets you a free copy of Invisible Ink, which we already told you about here, so help spread the word about this up-and-coming talent and treat yourself to a night of loud, catchy tunes. [MG]
LIGHTNING 100’S BLOCKTOBERFEST FALL BLOCK PARTY W/ WALK THE MOON, SELF, BOOM FOREST, VINYL THIEF, *REPEATREPEAT, AND MORE
@ Marathon Village | 3pm | $10.01-75 | 18+
We’ve been blabbing about this event incessantly. If this isn’t already in your plans, then I’m not sure we can be friends anymore. With an act like Walk The Moon headlining a virtual showcase of Nashville’s best up and coming indie bands, you’d be a fool to miss out on this one. [MH]
FAREWELL FLIGHT w/ JUSTIN FORREST, WABASH
@ The High Watt | 8pm | $5 | 18+
Pennsylvanian indie pop-rockers Farewell Flight, headline a very nice low-dough show, augmented by resident singer songwriter Justin Forrest and fellow Music City resident indie rockers Wabash. At only $5, you won’t get more for your money anywhere else. [JR]
SUNDAY
THE WHISTLES AND THE BELLS w/ ELLIOT ROOT
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | | $10 | All Ages
This week’s installment of Nashville Sunday Night Presented by Lightning 100 features indie neo-folksters The Whistles and The Bells and local indie synth-folk group Elliot Root. This all ages show should be a great way to wind down on Sunday after another great weekend of live music. [JR]
NATIVE AMERICA w/ FOX FUN, ROADBLOCK
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | Free | 18+
New Orleans rock ’n’ roll trio Native America will be headlining a 100% free Sunday night show at The Fox and if your broke and have nothing better to do, you better be there! Local dream, psych-rockers Fox Fun and Roadblock will help make it an evening you won’t soon forget. [JR]
MUSICIANS CORNER: CHRIS STAPLETON, STEVE MOAKLER, MAGNOLIA SONS
@ Centennial Park | 12pm | Free | All Ages
On the off chance you haven’t managed to make it out to a Musicians Corner event yet, the series is a showcase of fantastic talent and is put on for free in Centennial Park. Lots of Nashvillians have found the Musicians Corner to be a fabulous way to spend an afternoon and relax in the park. This week’s special Sunday show features the one and only Chris Stapleton, a county/folk music extraordinaire. Also playing are Steve Moakler and Magnolia Sons. All in all, this is quite a stacked lineup to see for free, so get on out to Musicians Corner and enjoy the October breeze this Sunday. [JS]
[BM] Beth McAllister
[JS] Jack Smith
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JSa] Jacqui Sahagian
[JEM] Jessika Malone
[JMo] Jeff Moody
[MC] Matt Cairns
[MH] Matt Hall
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[PO] Philip Obenschain
[WD] Wes Davenport
[SJ] Shawn Jackson