With a huge number of locals heading out of town for Bonnaroo and a even larger number of tourists invading for CMA Fest, it’s a bit of a strange weekend in Nashville. There are, however, a few shows that should be on your radar if you are sticking around town this weekend. Head below for our staff picks in this week’s edition of TWiN!
FRIDAY
MICHAEL MCDONALD
@ Ryman Auditorium | 8pm | $40-75 | All Ages
Former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald is responsible for the kind of popular songs that you recognize when you hear them, but never really know who’s singing it, like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “What A Fool Believes” (featured below). His deep baritone paired with soulful, piano-driven tunes has earned the singer-songwriter five Grammy awards, so if you’re a fan of Motown, you don’t want to miss this night with one of the greats. [MG]
THE DEAD DEADS, SHEEP SHIFTER, RICHIE, HYSTERESE AND MOUTH READER
@ The Basement East | 8pm | $5 | 21+
Not going to Bonnaroo? No worries! There’s still plenty of great musical performances being held in Nashville this weekend. One such show has been dubbed BonoRoo, and features local acts like The Dead Deads, Sheep Shifter, Mouth Reader and Richie. These awesome, heavier acts will also be joined by Hysterese, a killer German act that are currently embarking on their first ever tour of the United States. This promises to be one hell of a show, and at only $5, what’s to lose? [JS]
UNKNOWN HINSON W/ ROGER ALAN WADE
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $15 | 18+
Creepy psychobilly personality Unknown Hinson is building a following through his alternative country infused by a theatrical personality that’s landed him not only some quite strange dedicated fans, but also work doing a voice on the Adult Swim show The Squidbillies. He looks kind of like a vampire from B-movie who’s stewed in drugs and alcohol for over a decade who randomly decided to start playing country music. Roger Alan Wade also plays semi-satirical country songs, making for the perfect musical night of inwardly laughing at your redneck family (or maybe yourself). [JSa]
HEARTLESS BASTARDS W/ CRAIG FINN
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm | $18 | 18+
Channeling a bluesy, indie, garage rock sound not dissimilar from fellow Ohio natives The Black Keys, Heartless Bastards have been making music for over a decade, and have amassed a mountain of indie success through the course of their five fantastic albums. Equally as exciting, they’ve tapped Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn to perform another solo run, following a trek back in 2012 to support his LP Clear Heart Full Eyes. [PO]
SATURDAY
CJ RAMONE & SHONEN KNIFE
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm | $15 | 18+
All of the original Ramones have now passed away as of last year, but CJ was their bassist and sometime vocalist from 1989 until the band called it quits in 1996. CJ Ramone is playing Mercy Lounge with his own solo material as well as some old Ramones hits promised for anyone looking to get nostalgic. The all-girl pop-punk band from Osaka, Japan Shonen Knife is just as much if not more worth watching, so. if you go, go early. [JSa]
JOSH HEDLEY, SARAH POTENZA, AARON LEE TASJAN AND DARRIN BRADBURY
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $7 | 21+
At just $7, there’s no better place than The 5 Spot to spend your Saturday night, if your hanging on the east side. Americana pickers Josh Hedley, roots rocker Sara Potenza, and blog endorsed Aaron Lee Tasjan are slated for a solid bill. So, If you can’t be at Bonnaroo, you might as well get the most bang for buck in town, and this show is worth more than every penny. [JR]
AMERICAN HOTEL, WE SPEAK IN COLORS, LONELY BENSON AND SUMMER PALACE
@ The Basement | 8pm | $5 | 21+
Rising rock outfit American Hotel headlines this solid bill at The Basement. However, it’s also a release party for We Speak In Colors‘ “Black Bears”, which you can check out below. If you are a fan of this Death Cab meets Petty inspired track, you need to make it out to catch this show, because this will be the last Nashville show for a while as frontman Andrew Armstong is heading abroad. [MH]
WAIT FOR THE RICOCHET, TAKE BACK THE POWER AND WANDERING EYE
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $10 | 18+
Is there a better way to spend your Saturday night than watching a killer lineup of female-fronted classic rock cover bands? That’s a rhetorical question, because obviously there isn’t. Wait For The Ricochet pays tribute to English heavy metal band Deep Purple, while Take Back The Power is Nashville’s all-female homage to 90’s rap-rock pioneers Rage Against The Machine and Wandering Eye brings back the parody rock of Ween. These bands combined are sure to blow the roof off of Exit/In, so don’t miss out. (And PS for the die-hard Deep Purple fans – they’ll be at the Ryman on Aug. 2, and you can get tickets to that here.) [MG]
MUSICIANS CORNER: FOY VANCE, MOCKINGBIRD SUN, MUDDY MAGNOLIAS AND DWAYNE SHIVERS
@ Centennial Park | 12pm | FREE | All Ages
We know we’ll be back at Centennial Park for this Saturday’s Musicians Corner featuring Northern Irish musician Foy Vance, Texas trio Mockingbird Sun, unique Nashville-based duo Muddy Magnolias, and the indie blues duo, Duane Shivers on the Main Stage. This week’s Main Stage Acoustic Showcase presents Elise Davis, while the Acoustic Stage will feature Matt Hire, Morgan Bosman and Moonsville Collective. As usual, there will be Food Trucks, Kidsville, Dogville, Local Artisans, and Musicians Corner Pub. Music runs from 1:30 PM – 5 PM. And, if you haven’t been this season, it is located in a new location in front of the park by West End & 25th Street/Elliston Place. Foy Vance has toured as a support act to singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and his music has been featured on numerous TV shows. He released his second full-length album, Joy of Nothing, in August 2013, which met with universal critical praise. Check out Foy Vance performing “Make It Rain (Live from Bangor Abbey)” which was also performed by Ed Sheeran for Sons of Anarchy. [JMo]
RICHARD THOMPSON W/ ROBERT ELLIS
@ City Winery | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Renowned guitarist and songwriter Sir Richard Thompson and his electric trio are stopping by City Winery (with Robert Ellis opening) during their current tour in support of his latest album, Still, produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy. Check out “All Buttoned Up”, which is a track from the forthcoming new album due out June 23, 2015. [JMo]
SUNDAY
ELLE KING W/ GENE JR. & THE FAMILY
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $10 | All Ages
If you won’t be able to catch alt rocker Elle King at her performance at Bonnaroo this weekend, you can still see this talented artist play over at 3rd and Lindsley with Gene Jr. & The Family. If you’re not yet familiar with King, she’s the kind of rocking, empowered female frontswoman that utterly dominates the stage. However, her act isn’t all showmanship, as she also puts together a very tight musical performance. Basically, Elle King is the real deal, which is why we’re highly encouraging you to catch an intimate performance with her over at 3rd and Lindsley. Hope to see you there! [JS]
[JS] Jack Smith
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JSa] Jacqui Sahagian
[JMo] Jeff Moody
[MH] Matt Hall
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[PO] Philip Obenschain