If the weather holds, Nashville is touting one of the biggest Fourth of July fireworks displays in the country. However, if a crowded downtown (or just the thought of exploding millions of dollars into the sky) isn’t your cup of tea, then we have quite a few shows going on around town that you should consider. From block parties to a kick ass release party at Two Boots to the Pope of Mope taking you to church, there is a little something for everyone. Check out all of our staff picks in this week’s edition of TWiN!
FRIDAY
3RTH OF JULY ft. JASON ESKRIDGE, EARLY JONES & THE MEXICAN SPACE PROGRAM, AMERICAN WATERMELON, JOE – MARC’S BROTHER
@ North 12th between Calvin & Ordway | 5pm | $15 – $20 | All Ages
Commonly known on the East side as the “greatest block party of the year” (that hasn’t been completely commercialized/branded), Thirth of July’s site says it “brings out hundreds of friends & neighbors to listen to great music, eat great food [G’z BBQ & Jeni’s Ice Cream], & drink great beer [Yazoo Brewing Company].” Top bill, Jason Eskridge, is a native Nashvillian and an acoustic soul singer. Early Jones & the Mexican Space Program are from Detroit and apparently have “stellar musicianship.” The pun was not lost on me, thank you very much. American Watermelon have a perfect summer fest name and a funky, southern sound. And, a portion of the proceeds from the pre-Independence festivities go to the Tennessee Environmental Council. Below is Jason Eskridge’s “Sweet Love,” which will melt your cold, cold heart and bring you back down to earth – just in time for Thirth of July. [MOB]
MORRISSEY
@ The Ryman | 8pm | $39.50-89.50 | All Ages
Originally slated for July 2 at the Grand Ole Opry House, Morrissey‘s return to Nashville, just a year after he last hit Music City (for the first time in ten years) was moved last minute to The Ryman a day later. Though we’re a little bummed that we won’t get to see the legendary Smiths frontman in a place as, um, grand as the Opry, we know from experience that he really rules the Mother Church, and, from peeking at this tour’s setlist, it should be a special treat for Moz obsessives. Read more here. [PO]
DESTRUCTION UNIT, LADY RIDER AND ESSENTIAL TREMORS
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $10 | 18+
Desert born (Phoenix, AZ, to be precise) distortion rich punk rockers Destruction Unit are looking to destroy some ear drums at The Fox with help from new(ish) ‘70s style rock ’n’ rollers Lady Rider and electro-indie performers Essential Tremors. It’s definitely an interesting bill and we have a feeling that some ears will be bleeding, so make sure you take precautions. [JR]
DJ DU, ELISE DAVIS, GABE DIXON, THE WEEKS
@ Riverfront Park | 4pm | FREE | All Ages
Get your Fourth of July Downtown block party on one day early, with help from country, party rock guru DJ Du, as he plays the hits to make you shake your groove thing. Also in attendance will be some local performers, including blog endorsed southern rockers The Weeks, alt-country Americana mavin Elise Davis, and pop rocker Gabe Dixon. This all ages extravaganza is 100% free, but we have a feeling it will fill up fast downtown, so get there early! [JR]
DADDY ISSUES, DUCK, JAWWS, THELMA AND THE SLEAZE
@ Two Boots Pizza | 8pm | FREE | All ages
We’ve been been all over the first two singles from Daddy Issues for their recently released (on cassette) album, Can We Still Hang, and tonight is the night to celebrate and grab one of the limited edition cassettes. Nashville’s next batch of up & coming Infinity Cat party rockers will be joined by DUCK, JAWWS, and Thelma & The Sleaze for this free all ages throw down! More info here. [MH]
ALANNA ROYALE, THE HOWLIN’ BROTHERS, ALICIA MICHILLI, LAZERSNAKE
@ Acme Feed & Seed | 5pm | FREE | 21+
Has it really been a year already?! Our good pals Acme Feed & Seed are celebrating their first, and providing you some great pre-4th of July fun in the processes, with a free first floor bill of Alanna Royale, The Howlin’ Brothers, Alicia Michilli, and LazerSnake! It’s always a great time when the soulful, horn-laden Alanna Royale crew are around, and the rest of the bill just seals the deal. Kick your holiday weekend off right with some free fun! [PO]
SATURDAY
MARTINA MCBRIDE, BARRY SCOTT w/ THE NASHVILLE SYMPHONY, MIKKY EKKO, ANNIE BOSKO
@ Riverfront Park | 6:30pm | FREE | All Ages
With what is being billed as the largest fireworks display in the entire U.S. of A., Music City seems to be pulling out all the stops this Independence Day. Headlining the massive block party down town is country music singing songwriting legend Martina McBride, with back-up support from record producer/voice artist Barry Scott and The Nashville Symphony. Throw in indie pop artist Mikky Ekko, country up-and-comer Annie Bosko, a rumored plethora of surprise guests, and you’ve got a recipe for some damn good times on our nations birthday. We should warn you though, if crowds aren’t your thing, stay away, because with this much awesomeness selling at free ninety-nine, it’s going to be packed well before the official 6:30 kick off. [JR]
ORLINDA, THE COMMON TIGER, ISOTOPES, LATE FOR BRUNCH
@ Springwater Supper Club| 10pm | $5 | 21+
Orlinda are an indie rock outfit that you need to keep your eye on. We know that we have, and that’s why we are bringing them to Acme in a couple of weeks to play our showcase. You can get the jumpstart by catching the fireworks at Springwater on Saturday night. Local psych rockers The Common Tiger, local experimental rocker Late For Brunch, and Isotopes round out this explosive bill. [MH]
LEE ROY PARNELL, GARY NICHOLSON, JACK PEARSON AND MORE W/ A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO BB KING
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 9:30pm | $10 | All Ages
If crowds larger than the populations of entire cities in Tennessee aren’t your thing, than head on over to 3rd & Lindsley, just up the way from all the madness downtown. Country/blues picker Lee Roy Parnell is hosting a very special night of music dedicated to the late great BB King. Look for some of Parnell’s friends to be in attendance, including grammy winner Gary Nicholson, and former Allmen Borthers guitarist Jack Pearson, among others. At just $10 it’s a great way to avoid the chaos of Broadway and jam to some classic songs you already know and love, so be there! [JR]
DEEP FRIED 5, WALKER LUKENS AND THE SIDEARMS, THE KNOTTBROTHERS, CHARLES “WIGG” WALKER, WICK-IT w/ COACH & RATE
@ Acme Feed & Seed | 11:30am | Free ($10 after 3pm) | All Ages (21+ after 7pm)
Just a hop, skip, and a jump from Nashville’s official Fourth of July festivities, our pals at Acme Feed & Seed are doing their part to keep things going all day long with a stacked lineup. If you’re out and about early, you can catch Charles “Wigg” Walker for free on the first floor. After 3pm, it’ll set you back a $10 cover, with afternoon sets from The Knottbrothers and Walker Lukens and the Sidearms. The evening will boast two floors of fun, with Deep Fried 5 holding it down late on the first, and a DJs Wick-It, Coach, and Rate spinning on the third. If you’re looking for what might just be the best fireworks view in all of Nashville, give Acme’s rooftop a shot! [PO]
SUNDAY
LAURA REED w/ JUSTIN FORREST
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $10 | All Ages
Nashville/North Carolina-based R&B singer Laura Reed headlines this week’s Nashville Sunday Night live in support of her new album The Awakening. She was previously the frontwoman for jam/funk band Laura Reed and Deep Pocket but has taken a softer approach with her new material, drawing comparisons to India.Arie and Amy Winehouse, so don’t miss a night of soulful singing from this powerhouse performer. Make sure you get there early, as local crooner Justin Forrest is sure to get you in the mood for the evening. [MG]
MELVINS w/ LE BUTCHERETTES
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $17-20 | 18+
Grunge pioneers The Melvins are playing Exit/In with Mexican punk band Le Butcherettes on Sunday. The Melvins are famous for influencing Nirvana and other grunge bands in the late ’80s, essentially being the band that made the slow, sludgy sound that would define grunge. Le Butcherettes have strong hints of another genre associated with grunge — riot grrl — and their upcoming record A Raw Youth will have appearances from Iggy Pop and John Frusciante. [JSa]
FUCKED UP w/ DOOM SQUAD
@ Third Man Records | 6pm | $10 | All Ages
It’s unusual to be just days away from a show in Third Man Records’ Blue Room that hasn’t sold out way, way in advance (at least, at the time of writing), but that’s sure to change before Sunday night rolls around. Embarking on a rare tour in support of their long-running, Chinese calendar inspired Zodiac series of releases, most recently Year of the Hare, Canadian hardcore punks Fucked Up have enlisted Doom Squad not only as openers, but as additional band members to cover all of the layers of this expansive material. Per usual, the performance will be recorded live to acetate, and for only $10, this should be the can’t-miss show of the weekend. Full preview here. [PO]
DROWN w/ POINT BLANK, BURNING TRUTH, GREAT MINDS
@ Café Coco | 7pm | $8 | All Ages
In anticipation of their forthcoming split 7” with Denounced (out this summer on Harm Reduction Records), Houston heavy-hitters Drown are coming back to pound Nashville into dust for their second show at Café Coco in 6 months. Supporting them on their East Coast headlining tour are Tallahassee straight edge metalcore act Point Blank. Opening up are two fast and loud melodic bands making a name for hardcore in Nashville, Burning Truth and Great Minds. Bring your boxing gloves. It might get rowdy. [JL]
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JL] Jackson Lord
[JSa] Jacqui Sahagian
[MH] Matt Hall
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[MOB] M. Olivia Burd
[PO] Philip Obenschain