Probably the biggest news of this weekend is the opening of Nashville’s newest venue, Ascend Amphitheater, and their inaugural lineup has some pretty stellar acts that we are excited about, starting with Chicago and Earth Wind & Fire this weekend. If you can’t afford those tickets on short notice, you can also head down to check out the new venue for free on Sunday afternoon for Community Day. That being said, this weekend is also packed to the gill with music at our other favorite venues around town. Head below to check out all of our top picks for weekend in this week’s edition of TWiN!
FRIDAY
EASY ROSCOE
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm | FREE | All Ages
If you’re looking for a way to catch a great, local band without having to spend much money this weekend, head over to Soulshine Pizza on Friday at 7 p.m. to hear Lightning 100’s Artist of The Week, Easy Roscoe play on the Rooftop Patio for free. Listen to their catchy track “Alright; Regina” and you’ll know you’ve got to hear them play after work on Friday. [MW]
HALF CHRISTMAS BEER FEST
@ Riverwood Mansion | 6pm | $30 | All Ages
Need a little holiday cheer in the middle of summer? Head over to Riverwood Mansion for Lightning 100’s 2nd Annual Half Christmas party! The soiree will feature over 40 breweries, DJ sets from Lightning 100 personalities, a rumored snow machine, and surely plenty of obnoxious holiday outfits. If you are looking to do something different for Friday happy hour, this is it. [MH]
DOLLY PARTON
@ Ryman Auditorium | 7:30pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Though she’s appeared on occasion in compilation-style performances like the Grand Ole Opry in recent years, it’s been more than a decade, July 2002 to be exact, since country legend Dolly Parton last played a proper concert in Music City. Returning to The Ryman stage for an acoustic benefit show dubbed “Dolly Parton: Pure & Simple,” organized by The Dustin Wells Foundation to benefit the W.O. Smith School of Music, both nights of the country legend promptly and unsurprisingly sold out immediately after being announced. If you managed to get tickets, you’re in for a magical evening. [PO]
KYSHONA ARMSTRONG, MARY BRAGG, NICOLE BOGGS, DAPHNE WILLIS
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | All Ages
Being billed as a ladies night of performers, this ridiculously cheap show packs a serious punch! The all local lineup is being headlined by music therapist turned straight up soul singer songwriter Kyshona Armstrong, plus Americana country tinged performer Mary Bragg, pop soul singer Nicole Boggs, and enginer turned strummer/singer Daphne Willis. This is also an all ages gig, so bring whoever, and let these ladies show you what’s up with the new sounds of Music City. [JR]
KIM LOGAN w/ SHAH JAHAN, TWIGGS
@ Mercy Lounge| 9pm | $5 | 18+
Super-talented Kim Logan plays her homecoming show at Mercy Lounge on Friday, joining Chicagoans and Beatles lovers Shah Jahan, and another buzzed about Nashville duo, Twiggs, who blew us away when they played our Acme showcase a few months back. Check out Kim Logan’s live rooftop performance of “Voodoo Man” below from her self-titled album. [OB]
MAGNOLIA SONS w/ THE SATURNS
@ The Sutler | 9pm | FREE | 18+
Neo-soul band Magnolia Sons, who we just debuted a new video for, will be playing this Friday as part of The Sutler’s Soul Night. Catch this super group play ‘60s soul influenced rock while putting on one of the most entertaining shows in town for FREE. Also playing are The Saturns, fronted by native Nashvillian Sam Hunter. [MW]
BUMMRCITY, MELK, MOTH WIND
@ Springwater Supper Club | 10pm | $5 | 21+
If you haven’t checked out MELK yet despite the fact that we talk about them all the time, Friday is another chance to see the proto-punks with their psych counterparts BUMMRcity. The two bands are sometime collaborators and frequent compatriots that share members, but their sounds are very different. MELK makes gritty ditties about punk girls and alienation while BUMMRcity errs towards extended psych-rock jams. They’re playing Springwater with Moth Wind. [JSa]
MATTHEW E WHITE w/ SLEEPWALKERS, JAMES WALLACE
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $10-12 | 18+
Richmond based Spacebomb Records founder and musical tastemaker Matthew E. White returns to Nashville in support of his sophomore effort, Fresh Blood, with fellow Richmonders Sleepwalkers and local site fave James Wallace. A rocker with a jazz background, White’s eclectic, nuanced compositions are always a treat to behold live. [PO]
TIM CARROLL, DAVID OLNEY, ANDREW LEAHEY & THE HOMESTEAD, PATRICK SWEANY, SLICK
@ The 5 Spot | 6pm | $10 | 21+
This is a solid lineup with a ton of stellar musicians, but this show also serves as a defacto release party for Patrick Sweany‘s 7th studio album, Daytime Turned To Nighttime. We already told you about the new album earlier this week, and you can head here for more information about the record. If you’re not a link clicker, you can stream the incredible first single “First Of The Week” below. [MH]
SATURDAY
THE WATKINS FAMILY HOUR
@ Grimeys | 2pm | FREE | All Ages
If you didn’t get tickets in time for the Watkins Family Hour‘s two-night stint at City Winery, you can still head to Grimey’s for a free in-store performance. This one is likely to be packed, so camp out early for a good spot! [LL]
THE FATS KAPLIN GANG
@ The 5 Spot | 6pm | $5 | 21+
Outside of Nashville, Fats Kaplin is probably best known as the multi-instrumentalist that backs Jack White on stage. Locally, he is a renowned musician who can play almost anything better than anyone. He’ll be bringing along some friends to do an early set at The 5 Spot on Saturday. Head below to hear “The Miners’ Waltz” that he recorded with Kristi Rose, who will be part of the “gang” on Saturday. If you’re looking for the show that you’ll be telling your friends about on Monday, this is it. [MH]
DOLLY PARTON
@ Ryman Auditorium | 7:30pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Though she’s appeared on occasion in compilation-style performances like the Grand Ole Opry in recent years, it’s been more than a decade, July 2002 to be exact, since country legend Dolly Parton last played a proper concert in Music City. Returning to The Ryman stage for an acoustic benefit show dubbed “Dolly Parton: Pure & Simple,” organized by The Dustin Wells Foundation to benefit the W.O. Smith School of Music, both nights of the country legend promptly and unsurprisingly sold out immediately after being announced. If you managed to get tickets, you’re in for a magical evening. [PO]
CHICAGO w/ EARTH WIND & FIRE
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 7:30pm | $40-$175 | 18+
Get ready to roll the clock back friends, as two ICONIC bands are ready to bring you some of the best tunes from a generation (or several) that have ever been written. At the brand spanking new downtown outdoor amphitheater, legendary rock ’n’ brass big band Chicago, and one of our top performers from Bonnaroo 2015, funk/soul/disco troubadours Earth Wind & Fire. Between the two bands, there are countless hits, and odds are you’ll know the entire set by both acts, even if you don’t own a single record by either. The only thing more mind blowing than the fact that they’re sharing a bill (they can both headline anywhere, anytime), is that there are still tickets available, so don’t miss out on a once in lifetime line-up! [JR]
FANTASTIC NEGRITO w/ ADIA VICTORIA
@ The High Watt | 8pm | $10 | 18+
Fantastic Negrito has had an interesting year. The 46 year old musician won the Tiny Desk Concert competition hosted by NPR in February, and has since gone on to relative instant notoriety. He’s currently touring in support of his recently released EP featuring the studio version of his hit “Lost In A Crowd.” Check out the winning Tiny Desk Concert submission below, and make sure you get to the show early to catch up and coming local talent (and blog fave) Adia Victoria. [MH]
LITTLE TYBEE w/ MYRRA, POLY
@ The Basement | 9pm | $7 | 21+
Atlanta based artist collective/American soul band Little Tybee are headlining a low dough show, also featuring local (via New York) pop-synth performer MYRRA, and fellow local old timey three piece multi-instrumentalists Poly. Look for an expanded preview tomorrow, for this awesome, and super cheap, bill. We hope to see you at the show! [JR]
BLACKFOOT GYPSIES, HILLBILLY CASINO, SMOKING FLOWERS, LONESOME TOWN DRIFTERS
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $7 | 21+
After debuting some new songs just last week at The High Watt, Blackfoot Gypsies are playing at the Basement East this Saturday. They’re shows are always a raucous good time for all. They’ll be joined by rockabilly band Hillbilly Casino, Americana two-piece The Smoking Flowers, and punk band Lonesome Town Drifters. [MW]
THE WATKINS FAMILY HOUR
@ City Winery | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Talented siblings Sean and Sara Watkins have held a monthly residency at Los Angeles’ Largo for over a decade, helped to develop the collaborative project that is The Watkins Family Hour. Their self-titled album, released just last week, features a stellar list of cover songs from the duo, along with additional vocals and accompaniment from Fiona Apple, Benmont Tench, Sebastian Steinberg and others. It’s always a treat to see the Watkins in a smaller, intimate setting, and this night will likely be no exception. [LL]
SOUTHERN GIRLS ROCK CAMP SHOWCASE
@ MTSU | 2pm | $10 | All Ages
This is the final showcase for the Southern Girls Rock Camp, which we’ve already told you about in more detail. The camp was created to empower young women through rock and roll music, which is definitely a cause we support. Like a real-life, feminist, less annoying version of School of Rock, the girls learn instruments, DIY band promotion, songwriting, and performance skills culminating in a show at the end of the week, which is really what rock and roll is all about isn’t it? This weekend features the Murfreesboro edition of the camp. [JSa]
NWA TRIBUTE w/ TAKE THE POWER BACK
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $10 | 18+
Dr Dre is rumored to be releaseing a new NWA style hip-hop album next week, and there is also speculation that the seminal gangsta rappers may hit the road to tour their original material with Eminem subbing for the deceased Easy E sometime in the near future. All of this is pretty exciting news, and this show might just be the perfect warm up for lovers of the original politically incorrect hip-hop. [MH]
SUNDAY
ASCEND AMPHITHEATER COMMUNITY DAY
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 1pm | FREE | All ages
Get to know the newest Nashville venue as the downtown amphitheater and green space is open to the public on Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. The family friendly event will feature free live music and DJs, healthy activities, tours of the facility. You can even bring your dog to play in the dog park. You can head here to learn more about the event and see the invite from Mayor Dean himself, or you can just head below to think about how great My Morning Jacket is going to sound there next week. [MH]
THE WATKINS FAMILY HOUR
@ City Winery | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
The Watkins Family Hour will return for another sold out night at City Winery on Sunday. For those who bought tickets for both nights, you’ll likely hear a set-list that features a mix of covers and tracks from Sean and Sara Watkins solo careers, as well as fan favorites from their Nickel Creek albums. [LL]
DEEP PURPLE w/ SIMO
@ The Ryman | 7:30pm | $55-$95 | 21+
Pioneer rockers Deep Purple return to The Ryman on Sunday night, and we’re slightly worried that the alley behind the mother church will be littered with shattered stained glass once the DP gets the volume turned up during “Smoke On The Water.” Make sure you get there early to catch rising Nashville badasses and blog faves SIMO teach their older British idols where the next wave of talent is coming from. [MH]
TRAVELLER FT. JONNY FRITZ, ROBERT ELLIS, CORY CHISEL
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $10-15 | 21+
One of the newest supergroups to form here in Nashville, Traveller features Jonny Fritz (formerly Jonny Corndawg), Robert Ellis and Cory Chisel, who are all prominent alternative country singer-songwriters in their own right. Check out the video for their first tune “Nobody Makes It Out” below and see them blend their talents together on stage this Sunday night. [MG]
OMEGA SWAN w/ THEM VIBES
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm | $10 | All ages
Word is rowdy garage space rock ’n’ rollers Omega Swan are putting the finishing touches on their soon to be released EP Found, which we’ve been foaming at the mouth for since the spring. As a result, we can’t wait to see what other new stuff they’ve added to their repertoire since last we saw them live. Americana/rock power house Them Vibes are lending support, and you can expect a full preview later this week for one of our top bills of the weekend. [JR]
MATTHEW PERRYMAN JONES w/ THE SAINT JOHNS
@ Secret Cause A Scene Locations | 8pm | $20 | All ages
The ever-elusive Cause A Scene is hosting one of their famous secret shows with singer-songwriter and regular Ten out of Tenn member Matthew Perryman Jones this Sunday night. The location will be revealed once your tickets have been purchased, so if you’re a fan of Jones, this would be a cool environment to see him in. The Saint Johns, a local Americana duo that played one of our Acme showcases earlier this year, will start off the night. [MG]
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JSa] Jacqui Sahagian
[LL] Lorie Liebig
[MH] Matt Hall
[MW] Megan Whitney
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[OB] Olivia Burd
[PO] Philip Obenschain