Last weekend was like “showpacolyse” with the plethora of opportunities awaiting Music City ears. The dial trends slightly back towards normal with weekend, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty in store for your aural pleasures. We have happy hour with instrumental standouts Steelism, party rockers The Protomen for only $3, and a local Alanna Royale bill that you would be a fool to miss. Of course, there are still great shows going on at Ascend, and plenty more this weekend to pique your interest. Let us help you plan your party time with our staff picks in this week’s edition of TWiN!
FRIDAY
STEELISM
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm | FREE | All Ages
Spencer Cullum and Jeremy Fetzer had already made a name for themselves as band members for Wanda Jackson, Caitlin Rose, and Andrew Combs just to name a few. However, their unique blend of instrumental rock jams as Steelism is something absolutely magical. If you haven’t seen them live yet, the patio at Soulshine Pizza is the perfect happy hour opportunity for you to watch some of Nashville’s finest tear through some of the coolest, most unique music you will hear around town. [MH]
THE PROTOMEN w/ IN THE WHALE, RI¢HIE
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $3 | 18+
Progressive, experimental, retro rockers The Protomen have flirted with everything from Mega Man themed concept albums, tributes to Queen, full on cover albums, and everything in between. Their live show remains one of the best, most entertaining spectacles in town, and they rarely play Nashville despite being local. We would implore you to go regardless, but for only $3, and with In the Whale and Ri¢hie, it’s impossible to turn down. [PO]
ALANNA ROYALE, KANSAS BIBLE COMPANY, HOLY GHOST TENT REVIVAL, TWIGGS
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $10 | 21+
Top bill for me Friday night is definitely at The Beast. The show features a lineup of bands the blog is very familiar with, like Alanna Royale, Kansas Bible Company, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, and Twiggs. They all bring huge energy, and for just $10, we PROMISE you’ll get your money’s worth. Look for a full preview on this one later in the week. [JR]
ORGAN STILLS, TTOTALS, CREATURE COMFORT, WHITE VIOLET
@ The East Room | 9pm | $5 | 18+
The East Room will be packed with Nashville indie rock bands on Friday night, including Organ Stills (formerly known as Shy Guy) and Creature Comfort, along with psychedelic blues duo Ttotals and Athens, GA based duo White Violet. So if you’re on the East side and find yourself without plans, $5 at the door will buy you some. [MG]
METH DAD w/ JAMAICAN QUEENS, MATH THE BAND
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | 21+
If you are feeling the urge to dance, then head to The Basement for some solid electro inspired fun. Local experimental electro popsters, Meth Dad, join a bill with Providence RI based synth punks, Math The Band, and Detroit based electronic outfit, Jamaican Queens. This is the kind of show that would sell out a larger venue in bigger markets, so spread your wings and catch what your bigger city brethren could only dream of. Check out Meth Dad’s recent Our Vinyl session below to see just how talented the duo is. [MH]
HOWIE DAY w/ CASEY BUCKLEY
@ City Winery| 7:30pm | $18-22 | All Ages
Howie Day is back with a new album Lanterns, released in April of this year, and he is playing Nashville on his summer tour. Known for his emotional songwriting far beyond his years and his quirky sense of humor, he went back to his roots for the new album and recorded it on his own label, Daze. It is being compared to his first album Australia which he self-financed and self-released giving him the flexibility to do it his own way. Day took a break after eight years of constant touring before and after his gold record Stop the World Now, with its two Top 10 hits “Collide” and “She Says.” He concentrated on songwriting and tried the new songs out on audiences before deciding which tracks to include on the new record, so it is full of fan favorites. While he is sure to play some of his most popular hits, Day is seasoned and has experienced more of life’s ups and downs, and I can’t wait to hear the new songs from this talented writer and musician. Opening the show is Casey Buckley, an intellectual singer-songwriter. This is sure to be a great show at one of Nashville’s best venues to experience an intimate concert. [IS]
AARON BEHRENS AND THE MIDNIGHT STROLL w/ THE WHISTLES AND THE BELLS
@ The High Watt | 9pm | FREE | 18+
Aaron Behrens is best known for being half of the Austin-based eclectic electronic music duo Ghostland Observatory. Disillusionment with the EDM scene after the genre’s recent burst in popularity caused Behrens to disband that project and start the rock band The Midnight Stroll, taking the name from Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight.” In this project Behren’s voice is pretty much the only thing that gives any hints towards his previous musical life, as he uses a full band to create gritty, groovy garage rock. Bonus… This show is free! [JSa]
ANTHONY RANERI w/ LAURA STEVENSON, ALLISON WEISS
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm | $13-15 | 18+
After releasing his latest solo EP at the end of June, Nashville transplant and Bayside vocalist Anthony Raneri will be taking the stage at Mercy Lounge with the help of ex-Bomb The Music Industry! keyboardist Laura Stevenson and up-and-coming No Sleep Records solo artist Allison Weiss. Check this out if you want to experience a night of intimate, emo-tinged acoustic pop. [JL]
NEEDTOBREATHE w/ SWITCHFOOT, DREW HOLCOMB AND THE NEIGHBORS, COLONY HOUSE
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 7pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
NEEDTOBREATHE and Switchfoot may be the headliners at Ascend on Friday night, but it is also a homecoming for blog faves Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors and Colony House. Hopefully, you got your tickets in advance for this sold out show, otherwise, you can just play the incredibly cool video below on repeat. [MH]
SATURDAY
MUSIC CITY HOT WING FESTIVAL
@ Riverfront Park | 12pm | $15-150 | All ages
Eat, drink, and be merry is the general sentiment for us here at No Country, and the Music City Hot Wing Festival is the perfect pairing of that mantra. The event features dozens of hot wing chefs, ice cold craft beer, and a musical lineup ripe with blog faves like Magnolia Sons, Blackfoot Gypsies, AJ & The Jiggawatts, The Wans, Seryn, and tons more! Head over the Music City Hot Wing Festival website for more information and to grab tickets. Note: We went VIP last year, and it is worth every penny of the price of admission. [MH]
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME w/ ANIMALS AS LEADERS, THE CONTORTIONIST
@ Marathon Music Works| 8pm | $20-23 | 18+
Out in support of their new album, Coma Ecliptic, North Carolina prog rockers Between the Buried and Me return to the region after at an explosive set at Bonnaroo earlier this summer. Over their 15 year run, the band have dabbled in metalcore and death metal, but in recent years have decidedly embraced broader, more progressive influences. Supported by two other experimental, heavy, and unique acts, Animals As Leaders and The Contortionist, this is most definitely the weekend show to satisfy your heavy metal fix. [PO]
DEEP FRIED 5, EIGHT O’ FIVE JIVE, KYSHONA ARMSTRONG, THE HARMALEIGHS
@ Acme Feed & Seed | 3pm | FREE | 21+
If you find yourself downtown for any of the many events happening, definitely try to stop by Acme Feed & Seed for a full day of incredible free music. Things get started with stand out folk duo, The Harmaleighs, who turned us into instant fans when they played our recent showcase and songstress Kyshona Armstrong. If you are still around as day turns to night you can party like a rock star with Eight O’ Five Jive and Deep Fried 5. Hangover included with the price of admission. [MH]
IDINA MENZEL
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 7:30pm | $25-100 | All Ages
Breaking it big on Broadway, Idina Menzel won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role in Wicked. She has now embarked on a world tour using her classically trained voice and band to rock out her brand of pop. Fans of the hit Disney film Frozen may also recognize her voice as that of Queen Elsa, with numerous hits on that film’s chart-topping soundtrack. Bring the kids, and see Menzel’s live show under the lights of downtown at the best outdoor amphitheater around. [JR]
HOTEL WAR, GT, STEP SISTERS
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $5 | 18+
Join Hotel War, GT, and Step Sisters at The Stone Fox on Saturday for an evening of psychedelic, retro, rock and roll. Local bands Step Sisters and Hotel War will be joined by Birmingham’s GT. We’re big fans of Step Sisters and shared their song “Vox Pop” with you back in January. If you’re looking to spend your Saturday night listening to some great garage rock bands, this show is a must see. [MW]
ORGANIC ANDROIDS w/ OPPOSITE BOX
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $10 | 18+
Local six-piece big band Organic Androids are a wonderful mix of prog rock, hip hop, electronica and even funk. Based on what we’ve heard so far, their shows are sure to be a wonderful blend of sounds pleasing to ear holes everywhere. Look for Opposite Box, a self described “genre-bending experimental rock band from Chattanooga, TN,” to kick things off. Known for their high energy live shows which are a blend of jazz, rock, funk, punk and prog, they’ll wail just as hard as the headliners. All for $10?! Totally worth it. [JR]
SUNDAY
BOBBY LONG w/ LAUREN SHERA
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $10 | All Ages
For the next installment of Lightning 100 Presents: Nashville Sunday Night, we welcome British singer-songwriter Bobby Long and folk performer Lauren Shera. Always known for its wide variety of style and music types, Nashville Sunday Night will be a distinctly more chilled out, acoustic style performance. Worst case scenario you can hear the entire set live on the radio, but the best thing to do is to be there live and in person for epic Lightning 100 endorsed tunes. [JR]
AS CITIES BURN W/ FOREIGN SONS
@ Exit/In | 7:30pm | $20 | 18+
Christian post-hardcore band and recent Nashville transplants As Cities Burn broke the hearts of many fans in 2009 when they split up, but they have since “resurrected” and are now on tour celebrating the 10 year anniversary of their debut album Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest. If you’re ready to relive your high school emo days like I am, be sure to catch this show. [MG]
PETER FRAMPTON AND CHEAP TRICK
@ Ascend Amphitheather | 7:30pm | $15-100 | All Ages
Continuing the unstoppable buzz of its opening week of shows, Ascend closes out week two with another pair of legends: Peter Frampton and Cheap Trick. A bit of an unlikely mashup, Frampton, of course, is best known for rising to classic rock and roll prominence in the ’70s, specifically with his breakthrough live album, Frampton Comes Alive!, while Cheap Trick, though technically of the same era, are more instrumental in helping forge a hard rock and early power pop sound that would contribute to a sonic shift in rock aesthetics as the ’70s gave way to the ’80s. Expect nonstop singalongs. [PO]
[IS] Ione Singletary
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JL] Jackson Lord
[JSa] Jacqui Sahagian
[MH] Matt Hall
[MW] Meagan Whitney
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[PO] Philip Obenschain