TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | 12/5 – 12/7

As we head into the holiday season, you would think that the number of shows would slow down a little bit.  Apparently, Nashville didn’t get that memo this weekend.  There are a ton of shows from R&B superstars, to the next big rock gods, to live tapings with some of the most talented musicians in Nashville.  Guess what?  That’s just a hint of Friday night!  Read on to see all of our staff picks in another edition of TWiN!

FRIDAY

R. KELLY
@ Municipal Auditorium | 8pm | $55-$100 | All Ages

The self-proclaimed “King of R&B,” R. Kelly, is set to return to Nashville in support of his latest album, Black Panties. His Bonnaroo performance last year was ridiculous (and ridiculously entertaining), and, controversy aside, the dude can siiiing. Though this one is technically all ages, you’d better leave the kids at home. It’s gonna get freaky. Head here to find out more about the show. [PO]

BUSH, ROYAL BLOOD, MEG MYERS
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 8pm | $29.50 | 21+

Tickets still remain for a date with Royal Blood tonight.  Sure, Meg Myers and ’90s alt-rockers Bush are on this bill too, but, if you want to see one of our sure picks to ascend the rock charts in the next few years, do NOT snooze on Royal Blood at War Memorial. [MH]

DYNAMO LIVE RECORDING SESSION
@ Sound Emporium Studio A (3100 Belmont Blvd) | 7pm | $20 | All Ages

Here’s a cool way to see some live music tonight: local funky musicians Dynamo have invited the public to witness the recording of their new album. The group, which plays a sort of jazz/rock/soul combo (you really just need to hear it), have a habit of recording their albums live, and, over the course of several sessions this weekend, will be recording their newest album over at Sound Emporium. We just got a chance to see these guys play at our showcase last Tuesday, so trust us when we assure you that the album is going to be quite artistic. Compared to your usual show, this opportunity presents a much more personal and intimate look into the band’s creative process. Best of all, it only costs $20, though tickets are limited, so be sure to pick one up ASAP.  Remember to bring your own headphones! [JS]

MAGNOLIA SONS, STAGOLEE, ANDERSON EAST, LAUREN SHERA
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $7 | 21+

Local jazzy, new wave big band ensemble Magnolia Sons have been on our radar for a while now (read this post), so anytime they’re playing, we’re going to tell you to be there. In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s no shortage of talent in Music City. Fellow resident performers, Stagolee, Anderson East and Lauren Shera fill out the low dough show. [JR]

FUTURE THIEVES w/ THE TIP, BLACKFOOT GYPSIES
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | 21+

Local pure rock five-piece Future Thieves are playing a quite affordable show with Oregon natives The Tip and some of our favorite local vagabonds, Blackfoot Gypsies. Amazing music, and just think of all the money you’ll save, or maybe it’s just more to spend on beer. Below is a great acoustic performance by the headliners, but be sure to see them lived and plugged in tonight! [JR]

CHURCHYARD w/ RI¢HIE, ROADBLOCK
@ fooBAR | 9pm | $5 | 21+

East Nasty garage rockers Churchyard are throwing their 7” release party, and it should be another loud fracas of fun and shots at fooBAR. Be there early to see everyone’s pal Ri¢hie, who is giging all over town this weekend, and Music City rockers Roadblock. [JR]

OLIVIA JEAN w/ YUMI AND THE SYSTEM, MYSTERY TWINS
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $7 | 18+

Third Man Records’ newest solo artist Olivia Jean is playing her first real show outside Jack White’s house, bringing her alternative rockabilly tales of heartbreak and Gretsch-shredding to The Stone Fox. She’ll be joined by the new local industrial alternative band Yumi and the System and male-female duo Mystery Twins, which is composed of two former members of the renown Clutters. Here’s a full preview. [JSa]

TIPPER WHORE w/ IDLE BLOOM, SEXX
@ Springwater Supper Club | 9pm | $cheap | 21+

We already ran down this final show for local party rockers Tipper Whore, which takes place at Springwater Supper Club and includes locals Idle Bloom and Sexx, so head here to find out all about.  [tear runs down cheek] [MH]

SERYN, CARBOARD KIDS, THE JANE DOZE
@ Marathon Music Works | 8pm | $35 | 21+

Hosted by singer-songwriter and actress Kate Voegele, LUMINOUS, a night of music and dance, is going down this weekend at Marathon Music Works, to benefit Invisible Children’s legacy scholarship program. The charitable event will feature performances from Texas transplants Seryn, who play a haunting, layered flavor of indie folk, as well as rockers Cardboard Kids and NYC female DJ duo The Jane Doze. [PO]

YOUNG HEART, SECRET STUFF, BLOOM, CELLARS
@ Exponent Manor (2828 Georgia Ave) | 8pm | $5 | All Ages

Grungy indie rockers Young Heart are joined by emo/alt acts Secret Stuff and Bloom and new local band Cellars for one hell of a $5 house show this weekend at Exponent Manor. I think we’re finally though mourning the loss of the Owl Farm. [PO]

SATURDAY

DYNAMO LIVE RECORDING SESSION
@ Sound Emporium Studio A (3100 Belmont Blvd) | 1pm, 4pm, & 7pm | $20 | All Ages

If you managed to miss Dynamo’s Friday night in-studio performance, you’re not out of luck, as the group has planned six sessions throughout the weekend. Saturday’s performances will be at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m.. Tickets are still only twenty bucks, so get ‘em while they’re hot. [JS]

TOM WAITS TRIBUTE
@ The 5 Spot | 7pm | $cheap | 18+

What do you get when you mix South Park‘s Chef with Batman? What if there was a living incarnation of Beetlejuice?  Such a man exists, but, unfortunately, Tom Waits hasn’t toured since 2008, and hasn’t let us in on any plans to make a visit. HOWEVER, we can still get our fix this Saturday at the 5 Spot for cheaps with a Tom Waits Tribute night! But watch out! They know karate, and voodoo too. [MC]

BLUE MATCHES, THE CASE STUDY, THE NOTION, THE FUTURE
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $5 presale, $7 at the door | 18+

This show features four local bands playing pretty disparate versions of rock and roll. Blue Matches are a female-fronted group that play pop punk, The Notion play alternative grunge, The Future are an indie pop quartet, and The Case Study play arena style rock á la Dave Matthews Band and Steely Dan. Something for everyone. [JSa]

JAWWS (EP RELEASE PARTY) w/ GOOD SEX, PLASTIC BAGS, DATE NIGHT
@ Exponent Manor (2828 Georgia Ave) | 8pm | $5 | All Ages

Nashville’s favorite teen punks JAWWS are releasing a new 7” this Saturday, and are celebrating by playing a house show at Exponent Manor, a house that’s been putting on shows in conjunction with Two Boots Pizza since last May. Three other local punk bands will be joining them to celebrate the release of the 4-track 7″ titled S/T. [JSa]

LIGHTNING 100’S FESTIVUS w/ THE WEEKS, MIKKY EKKO, THE WHISTLES & THE BELLS, HAERTS
@ Marathon Music Works | 8pm | $15 | 18+

Lightning 100’s annual Festivus show, which goes to benefit Salvation Army’s Forgotten Angels, returns to Marathon Music Works this weekend, and boasts a pretty exciting lineup. Local garage/southern rockers The Weeks and breakout pop singer Mikky Ekko are joined by talented up and comers The Whistles & The Bells and Haerts, making this, perhaps, the best value show of the weekend (and one for a great cause)! [PO]

FRONTIER RUCKUS, FLOATING ACTION w/ FIREKID
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $8 | 18+

Seasoned Detroit indie rockers Frontier Ruckus will be getting it done for under $10 with Dan Aurbach and Jim James collaborator Seth Kauffman (a.k.a. Floating Action), and local via Alabama singer-song writer Firekid. Be there for all the action and help make your Saturday not suck. [JR]

THE GET TOGETHERS’ TACKY CHRISTMAS SWEATER GET TOGETHER FT. THE GIRLS!, SCALE MODEL, GAY VIBES
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $7| 18+

Who doesn’t love a good tacky Christmas sweater party? Local indie pop outfit The Get Togethers are celebrating our favorite flamboyant holiday attire, by throwing a show at The High Watt, which also features a killer lineup of Ohio’s The Girls! and locals Scale Model and Gay Vibes. Aside from great music, there will also be a tacky sweater photo booth, so come prepared to join in on the fun! [PO]

#RAPCLUB HOLIDAY PARTY w/ SPOKEN NERD, KIDDEAD, QUIET ENTERTAINER, UNDISCOVER, KIDS FROM ACROSS THE STREET
@ Cafe Coco | 8pm | $5 | All Ages

#RAPCLUB, the real time hashtag for the nebulous conglomerate of bands, artists and friends loosely formed around rapper and founder of record label Invisible Library, Nathan Conrad, are hosting their holiday party this Saturday at Café Coco.  Conrad will be performing under his moniker of Spoken Nerd, along with Nashville’s alleged best white, vegan, bike-riding rapper kidDEAD, mute, orchestral electronica artist Quiet Entertainer, thrash-hop kids Undiscover, and Chatanooga’s Kids from Across the Street. This being the holiday edition of the #RAPCLUB showcase, swag is sure to be doubled in volume and weirdness! [TJJ]

SUNDAY

DYNAMO LIVE RECORDING SESSION
@ Sound Emporium Studio A (3100 Belmont Blvd) | 1pm & 4pm | $20 | All Ages

Sunday will be the last day the local funk masters in Dynamo put on an in-studio performance, or at least for this album cycle. However, you’ve got two chances to check them out: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. This is a really cool opportunity to see one of Nashville’s most talented acts in the lovely Sound Emporium Studio A, and, if you like their tunes, you owe it to yourself to check it out. [JS]

SUGAR & THE HI LOWS w/ SAM PALLADIO
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | | $10 | All Ages

Local duo Sugar & The Hi Lows, made up of talented singer-songwriters Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup, as well as gifted backing band, pull meaning and nostalgia from old, rootsy rock, soul, and gospel, while challenging their sound to land harmoniously for a modern audience. They’re a perfect choice to headlining Lightning 100’s popular Nashville Sunday Night series, and, with the addition of Sam Palladio, best known for playing Gunnar on ABC’s Nashville, but a gifted indie folk singer-songwriter in real life, we can’t think of a better way to finish out your weekend. [PO]

BLUE SKY RIDERS (featuring Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman, and Gary Burr)
@ Bluegrass Underground | 2pm | $50 | All Ages

At press time, there were just a few tickets available for this Sunday’s Bluegrass Underground show featuring Blue Sky Riders in the Volcano Room at Cumberland Caverns. Blue Sky Riders is Kenny Loggins (yes, that one), Georgia Middleman, a renowned singer / songwriter, and Gary Burr, one of Nashville’s most accomplished writers.  If you’ve never been to Bluegrass Underground or if you’ve only seen the show on PBS, it is well worth the 90 minute drive from Nashville.  The setting is spectacularly unique and the acoustics are phenomenal. If you don’t make it to this show, be sure to add attending a future show to your bucket list.  [JMo]

WHITE LIGHTERS, BREAST MASSAGE, STEP SISTERS, RI¢HIE
@ The Basement | 8pm | Free | 21+

Baltimore, MD rock ’n’ rollers White Lighters are paying a FREE visit to town, with possibly our favorite JEFF the Brotherhood side project Breast Massage (read this post). Throw in the mysterious Step Sisters and a No Country favorite Ri¢hie, and you got yourself and epic little Sunday Funday, without having to pay for the entertainment. See you at The Basement. [JR]

[JSa] Jacqui Sahagian
[JS] Jack Smith
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JMo] Jeff Moody
[MC] Matt Cairns
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain
[TJJ] Terra James-Jura