Have you finished all of your holiday shopping? We haven’t either. While this weekend is sure to be filled with holiday parties and shopping for that perfect gift, you should treat yourself with a show. There are quite a few that are worthy of your attention this weekend. From a free birthday party for Marathon to a living legend at The 5 Spot to two charitable nights of awesome at The Basement, there is plenty for you to choose from. While we can’t help you figure out a gift for Aunt Martha, we can help you decide on live music. Check out all of our staff picks in this weeks edition of TWiN!
FRIDAY
LAURA REED
@ 12th & Porter | 7pm (doors at 5pm) | FREE | All Ages
The very talented South African born Music City transplant, Laura Reed, will be playing a FREE all-ages show to support her debut solo album The Awakening, which just dropped last week. She can also cross performing at Madison Square Garden off her bucket list, she sang the National Anthem there for Knicks vs. Jazz game. Not too shabby! Enjoy her couch cover below and go see her live tonight. [JR]
RELIENT K w/ BLONDFIRE & FROM INDIAN LAKES
@ Cannery Ballroom | 8pm (doors at 7pm) | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Beloved pop punk group Relient K are out in support of the 10th anniversary of their classic album, Mmhmm. Given that album’s cult like status and the fact that the group now call Nashville home, it’s no surprise that it sold out in advance. Hope you bought your ticket! [PO]
PAPER ROUTE w/ PHIN & THE LEFT HOOKS
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $12-$15 | 18+
Local indie alternative trio Paper Route are currently in their hometown to work on recording their third full-length album. You might recognize their music from the romantic comedy (500) Days of Summer or seen them on tour with Passion Pit. The band is leaving the ancient plantation house where they hole up to record to play a show at Exit/In with classically trained rockers The Left Hooks and local indie band Phin. Find a full preview here. [JSa]
SEBASTIAN BACH w/ THE TIP
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm (doors at 8pm) | $20 | 18+
Former Skid Row front man Sebastian Philip Bierk has traded in his hair metal for roles on Broadway, and now a heavier metal solo career, as Sebastian Bach. Our curiosity is peaking. Look for rowdy local supergroup THE TIP to really get things started, and make sure you’re ready to party. [JR]
THE DELTA SAINTS w/ DEEP FRIED FIVE & THE WANS
@ Marathon Music Works | 9pm (8pm doors) | FREE | 18+
One of the coolest venues in Nashville is celebrating its third anniversary with a free show presented by Lightning 100 featuring locals The Delta Saints, Deep Fried Five, and The Wans. The Saints play delta-influenced rock and roll, Deep Fried Five funk and disco, and the Wans released a well-received indie rock debut this year. [JSa]
BEATLES VS STONES ft. GRIMEY & FRIENDS, LANGHORNE SLIM, MATT MAHAFFEY & MORE
@ The Basement | 8pm | $8 donation | 21+
Get ready to loose your mind at one of our favorite Basement traditions; Beatles vs. Stones, ft. the man Grimey himself, other local favorites like Langhorne Slim (read more here), and many more. This is the ninth year it’s been going down and the $8 cover is actually a donation for Second Harvest Food Bank. Just think, it’s going towards a good cause AND you can party while listening to some of the best covers around. [JR]
RICH ROBINSON w/ GUTHRIE BROWN
@ City Winery | 8pm (doors at 6pm) | $22-$28 | All Ages
Want to see a true living legend this weekend? If so, we’ve got good news: Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes will be performing at City Winery. Joined by local favorite Guthrie Brown, this show promises to please. Robinson’s most recent efforts definitely pay tribute to his time in one of the nation’s most successful rock acts, and his polished and open stage presence have delighted audiences across the world. Tickets start at just $22 for this awesome event! [JS]
JUSTIN COLLINS & T. HARDY MORRIS w/ SHARKWEEK & T. RUST
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $5 | 18+
This intimate show at the High Watt features Justin Collins And T. Hardy Morris, both veterans in the music scene around here. Collins from his work with Justin and the Cosmics, and Americana/rock act. T. Hardy Morris, you might remember from his band Dead Confederates. They combined forces with Sharkweek and T. Rust to basically guarantee a fun, tasteful evening.[JS]
SATURDAY
GRIMEY’S 15th ANNIVERSARY PARTY AND SALE: THE ORNAMENTS, STEVE LEE, I AM JOHNNY P, TRISTEN, BELA FLECK & ABIGAIL WASHBURN
@ Grimey’s/The Basement | 3pm | Free | All Ages
In celebration of their 15h anniversary, famed local record shop Grimey’s will be holding a storewide sale all day long, accompanied by Christmas themed music DJ’d by staff, as well as a host of quality performances downstairs in The Basement, including Bela Fleck and Tristen. The Grilled Cheeserie will also be parked outside, some come enjoy food, fun, music, and more! [PO]
MANCHESTER ORCHESTRA w/ CHRIS STAPLES
@ Volcano Room at Cumberland Caverns | 3pm (2pm doors) | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Southern indie rock juggernauts, Manchester Orchestra, are playing what promises to be an amazing show at a place called the Volcano room, way out yonder in the Cumberland Caverns. No doubt a once in a lifetime performance, espcially for super fans. Of course, if you are a superfan, you have a ticket. The rest are SOL because this one is sold out. Maybe if you can get to McMinnville, TN you have a chance, but no promises. [JR]
KOPECKY FAMILY BAND w/ AUSTIN MANUEL
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm (8pm) | $12-$15 | 18+
Local folk rock heroes, and raising national stars, Kopecky Family Band will be playing a more than affordable show with fellow Music City resident folk inspired singer songwriter Austin Manuel. You might as well get hip to both now, if you haven’t already, while it’s still cheap. [JR]
DANIEL ELLSWORTH & THE GREAT LAKES w/ BASECAMP, BUFFALO RODEO, & THE ELECTRIC SONS
@ The High Watt | 8pm (doors at 7pm) | $3-$15 | 18+
Red Bull Sound Select has once again delivered Nashville what is sure to be a stellar show. We’ve been waiting for another chance to see Daniel Ellsworth & the Great Lakes since their set at Live on the Green back in September, and lucky for us, they’re back from their tour in time to give us one more show in 2014. Adding Sound Select veterans Buffalo Rodeo, BASECAMP, and The Electric Sons to the bill, Red Bull is giving us yet another opportunity to see four killer bands for the low, low price of $3 (with RSVP). [JL]
WHITEY MORGAN & THE 78’s w/ STONE SENATE
@ Exit / In | 9pm (doors at 8pm) | $8-$10 | 18+
Upon first hearing Whitey Morgan & The 78’s, one might question if this old-timer is still alive, but a little research will show that you the band only formed in 2005. In the past decade the band has signed to Bloodshot Records, and shared the stage with some greats. It’s for good reason too, because the Detroit natives have perfectly honed the sound of country music before it started swirling the toilet bowl. We can only hope that all the “Bro Country” fellers in town will attend for a lesson in badass. [MH]
BEATLES VS STONES ft. BEECH BENDERS, BEEF OVEN, YOKO OH NO, ALABAMA GHOST MEDICINE & MORE
@ The Basement | 8pm | $8 donation | 21+
Night two of the 9th annual Beatles vs. Stones keeps coming strong with a an alum of our Tuesday Acme gigs, Beech Benders (read more here), and even more local talent will be singing the songs you know, and love. Same as Friday, the cover charge is a donation for Second Harvest Food Bank, and if the crazy band names above are any hint, there may be some special guests. [JR]
PAUL COLLINS BEAT w/ SHERBERT & MYSTERY TWINS
@ The 5 Spot | 9 pm | $5 | 21+
Bonafide living legend Paul Collins has been touring with his current incarnation of a band, The Paul Collins Beat, for a few years now. Having helped forge the first wave of power pop with his bands The Nerves in New York alongside contemporaries like The Ramones, and Blondie. Collins is still touring relentlessly and putting out high quality albums after 35+ years. He has recently tapped Nashville’s own cheeky popsters Sherbert for a few tours this year. The two will be wrapping up their December run with a show at the 5-Spot, with Mystery Twins opening. Come out and see two generations bridge the gap in the most rocking way possible. [TJJ]
SUNDAY
THE HEAD & THE HEART w/ PHOX
@ The Ryman | 7:30pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Bravo to the early birds who snatched up their tickets to this one. The beautiful sounds of The Head & The Heart and Phox are going to create an otherworldly environment in the Ryman Auditorium. With the presence of indie folk bands of this caliber, the Ryman is bound to level up from church to cathedral. Cherish it, you lucky SOBs. [MC]
EXPLORERS CLUB w/ THE LOVE WILLOWS, SAD BAXTER, HARPOONER, AND MAC LEAPHART
@ The Basement | 8 pm | FREE | 21+
The Basement’s Sunday night of free music this week features the ’60s and ’70s throwback rock of Explorer’s Club, pop duo The Love Willows, grungey duo Sad Baxter, psychedelic pop band Harpooner, and country-rock singer-songwriter Mac Leaphart. [JSa]
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JS] Jack Smith
[JSa] Jacqui Sahagian
[JL] Jake Lanier
[JMo] Jeff Moody
[MC] Matt Cairns
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain
[TJJ} Terra James-Jura