Saturday’s Halloween festivities are going to usurp this weekend, but, being Music City and all, you know that means we have a bunch of festive gigs going on around town that are worth your consideration. With everything from a bunch of uber-talented mummies taking over Marathon Music Works to a show that is sure to shred your brain at War Memorial to a haunted house party that you may not return home the same from, there is plenty going on to stoke your holiday spirit. Not feeling festive? No worries, there are plenty of other events going on around town that will likely scar you less. Have a look at all of our staff picks below, and stay safe out there on this haunted weekend.
FRIDAY
SETH TIMBS
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm | FREE | All Ages
Come support local singer songwriter Seth Timbs, and while you’re at it, cram some hot/tasty ‘za into your food hole. Mr. Timbs is hawking a new album entitled New Personal Record, and you can check him out for free, thanks to Lightning 100’s Friday Afternoon Live. Make it your pregame destination or an all night thing, totally your call. [JR]
SHAWN MULLINS w/ CHUCK CANNON
@ City Winery | 8pm | $25-30 | All Ages
You might best remember Shawn Mullins for his ‘90s megahit “Lullaby,” but since then he’s been releasing a steady stream of solid albums. Even if you’re not familiar with Mullins, or his new album My Stupid Heart, his husky baritone is sure to capture your attention when he plays at the City Winery. He’s joined by singer/songwriter Chuck Cannon, who helped write six of the ten songs on Mullins’ new album. [MW]
FAMILY FORCE 5 w/ BORN CAGES, CAPPA, TESSA VIOLET
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $12-14 | 18+
Raucous party rockers Family Force 5 burst onto the scene in the mid ’00s, quickly finding a fanbase with the Warped Tour crowd, despite also harboring strong ties and crossover appeal with the Christian music market. Still going strong, they’re bringing their over the top live show back to Nashville along with New York alt rock trio Born Cages, local fave CAPPA, and rising songstress Tessa Violet. [PO]
SLIGHTLY STOOPID, STICK FIGURE, ROOTS OF A REBELLION
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 7:30pm | $25 | All Ages
San Diego natives Slightly Stoopid are bringing their special brand of reggae funk to Nashville this Friday night. Kick off your Halloween weekend the right way by spending Oct. 30 with the pioneers of chill at the War Memorial Auditorium. The dudes are currently on tour following the release of their eighth studio album earlier this year, titled Meanwhile… Back at the Lab. Opening the show will be reggae brothers Stick Figure, and Nashville’s own Roots Of A Rebellion. So be sure to get to the show early in order to catch the whole lineup. Tickets are still up for grabs so get them here so you don’t miss out on all the good vibes! [CO]
STURGILL SIMPSON w/ BILLY WAYNE DAVIS
@ Ryman Auditorium| 8pm | Sold Out | All Ages
Evening number one of what is sure to be an epic three night run with Sturgill Simpson and opener Billy Wayne Davis. Strugill has rocketed to success/fame over last two years or so, and there still seems to be plenty left in the gas tank as our local hero sells out the Mother Church for all three shows. If you don’t have them already get them, start hustling for some tickets, because even on a crazy Halloween weekend, these might be the hottest performances in town. [JR]
BLACKFOOT GYPSIES w/ SMOOTH HOUND SMITH, PATRICK SWEANY
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $8-10 | 21+
There might be no better band in town to start off the Halloween weekend than Blackfoot Gypsies. They never fail to turn a show into a party with their loud, raucous, blues infused sound. If Halloween’s not enough reason to celebrate, it will also be a homecoming show for Patrick Sweany, who’s been touring in support of his new album, Daytime Turned to Nighttime. Also playing are great rootsy, Americana duo Smooth Hound Smith. [MW]
DEVIL’S NIGHT FEAT VIDEO, TIMMY’S ORGANISM,WOLF EYES, ESSENTIAL TREMORS, CHERIE CURRIE, & MORE
@ Third Man Records | 8:30pm | $20 | 18+
Last year’s Devil’s Night party at Third Man was so much creepy fun that we’d be attending this one regardless of the acts on the bill, although we also would never expect the tastemakers at the label to let us down when it comes to music. The folks at Third Man are really looking to scare us this year, rounding up two of the roughest, toughest punk bands around, VIDEO and Timmy’s Organism, plus the trip metal band Wolf Eyes. All three bands are also using the party as a record release show for albums they’re putting out on the label. Essential Tremors are also set to perform, and Cherie Currie of The Runaways has been announced as host! Costumes are required, and a costume contest and DJs are also on the agenda, so if you want to get in you better show up dressed as something, and grilling/festivities on the back patio begin at 7 p.m. Knowing Third Man there will be many surprises in store. Jack White was there last year disguised as the Tin Man, so a Jack White scavenger hunt among the costumed throng may be in order as well. [JSa]
DEVIL’s NIGHT FT. FLY GOLDEN EAGLE, FAUX FEROCIOUS, CANNON, COUPLER
@ Little Harpeth Brewery | 9 pm | $5 | 21+
Our pals at Native are teaming up with the seasonally appropriate Hail, Dark Aesthetics to bring an east side Devil’s Night to life at Little Harpeth Brewery on Oldham Street. This one features a stacked bill of locals, and is an increasingly rare opportunity to catch the oft on the road, Fly Golden Eagle. Sweet costumes, good beers, and kick ass music? No. Fucking. Brainer. [MH]
SHADY SISTER, THE TRANSFERS, SKUNK HOUSE, PARROTFISH
@ Hound Dog Commons (305 Douglas Ave.) | 8pm | FREE | 18+
Cabbage Night? Devil’s Night? Mischief Night? Whatever you call the night before Halloween, you can head out to the new east side event space, Hound Dog Commons, to get this celebratory weekend started right. The renovated garage on Douglas will be hosting a free night of indie, surf, and punk rock bands, so, especially if you live in that neighborhood, this is pretty much a no brainer. [MH]
SATURDAY
MUSICIAN’S CORNER FT. THE LONELY BISCUITS, ROOTS OF A REBELLION, THE WHISTLES & THE BELLS, JUSTIN KLUMP
@ Centennial Park | 1:30pm | FREE | All Ages
This weekend is the closing celebration for Musician’s Corner, a uniquely Music City venue. Come relax among the fall leaves and savor some of Nashville’s own this lovely weekend. There are four great local acts lined up, but I would like to especially highlight two: The Lonely Biscuits and Roots of a Rebellion. The Lonely Biscuits are an alternative rock band who formed in 2011 while they were all students at Belmont University. These guys have been featured at Lollapalooza, South by Southwest, and Austin City Limits, and have earned accolades such as MTV’s “College Artist of the Year” in 2013. They are playful and a lot of fun, and will be a great addition to your day. Roots of a Rebellion (ROAR) are a local Reggie-Rock-Dub band that is known for dynamic live shows. Their progressive sound, high energy, and love of all mankind radiate outward. Do yourself a favor and catch this band for free this weekend while you still can. These guys speak the truth; don’t miss it. [IS]
DIARRHEA PLANET, JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD w/ RANCH GHOST
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 8pm | $20 | All Ages
One of our most-anticipated shows of the weekend if not all year, local rock gods Diarrhea Planet are teaming up with label mates and Nashville legends JEFF the Brotherhood to host what it sure to be the most rock and roll Halloween party around. Paired with openers Ranch Ghost, this shindig will be scary good, and in the spacious War Memorial Auditorium, there ought to be plenty of room for you and your whole crew. Don’t miss it! [PO]
LIGHTNING 100’S PARANORMAL ROCKTIVITY w/ HERE COME THE MUMMIES
@ Marathon Music Works | 9pm | $30-35 | 18+
We’ve been hyping Here Come The Mummies for months, and we even gave you the chance at a pair of free tickets, so we’ll keep this brief; it’s Halloween night, this funk band dresses as mummies year round (see below), and our friends at Lightning 100 and Marathon are going to turn this into a party to remember. You should be there. [JR]
PRETTY LIGHTS, MATOMA, CHALI 2NA, GOLDROOM, DAILY BREAD
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 8pm | $24.50 | All Ages
Ultimate raver Pretty Lights will be playing his annual Halloween show at Ascend Amphitheater this year. The electronica OG is returning to Nashville this Saturday night for the first time since 2012. This time he’s bringing Matoma, Chali 2na and Goldroom to get the party started. This stacked bill is sure to bring enough danceable tunes to keep fans entertained into the wee morning hours of Nov. 1. Tickets have gotten a bit pricier since their initial release, so go ahead and snag yours right here right now! For a spooky night filled with lots of dancing, maybe a little bit of rain and an unforgettable performance, don’t miss this show. [CO]
MY SO CALLED BAND
@ Cannery Ballroom | 9pm | $15-25 | 18+
In case the name didn’t clue you in, My So Called Band are a group of Nashville-based professional musicians who love the 90’s enough to dedicate a whole band to that glorious decade and help bring it back to life. Covering hip hop/r&b tunes from the likes of Montell Jordan and Aaliyah to the alternative rock anthems of No Doubt and Third Eye Blind and everything in between, there’s something for everyone to sing along to. And there’s a reason these shows sell out super fast, so don’t miss your chance to party with them on one of the most (if not the most) fun holidays of the year. [MG]
GUILTY PLEASURES
@ MERCY LOUNGE | 8pm | $15 | 18+
The ultimate ‘80s cover/party band, Guilty Pleasures, are ready to make your Halloween night rock extra hard, with out spooking your wallet. Check out that band all your friends have been talking about, and don’t forget to wear your 1980’s inspired costumes as well! [JR]
STURGILL SIMPSON w/ BILLY WAYNE DAVIS
@ Ryman Auditorium| 8pm | Sold Out | All Ages
Evening number two of the three night stand … also sold out. [JR]
DARK DAZE PARTY
@ East Nashville | 9pm | $5 | 21+
Do crowds of people, steep covers, and fat bar tabs scare you? Find refuge in the DARK DAZE East Nashville Halloween party For a mere $5 entry and $5 for keg / cauldron access, you get two floors of mayhem and mischief. Downstairs, Nashville’s premiere Halloween punk band Boo Dudes will wake the dead. Witch house outfit BLVCK PØW∃Я is rumored to apparate, and a trio, T Rust, Justin Collins, and Kelley Anderson, will lead dark chanting and lullabies upstairs. The event address will be provided to those who RSVP on the Facebook page or sign up at the website. Watch Boo Dudes’ video for “Kreepy Kegger” below to get an idea of how this unholy party will go down. [WD]
*REPEAT REPEAT w/ LASSO SPELLS
@ The Crying Wolf | 11pm | FREE | 21+
Need to keep yourself going after the sugar rush begins to die down on Halloween? Look no further than The Crying Wolf, where blog faves *repeat repeat will be teaming up with Lasso Spells for their second annual Halloween Night Afterparty. For the price of free, you should at least make it a point to stumble your costumed self over there for a drink. [MH]
SUNDAY
THE WIND AND THE WAVE w/ THE ROOSEVELTS
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $12 | All Ages
Austin-based duo The Wind and The Wave, consisting of Dwight Baker (aka “The Wind”) and Patricia Lynn (aka “The Wave”), gained traction last year with their toe-tapping hit “With Your Two Hands” and have toured extensively since in support of their debut album From The Wreckage. The alternative-Americana outfit are getting ready to release their follow-up album soon, so you’re bound to hear some new material as well as old, and maybe a few from their covers album this year (which includes a folky rendition of R. Kelly’s “Ignition”). [MG]
THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS w/ MAX AND THE MOON
@ City Winery | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Legendary English post-punks The Psychedelic Furs have made their way to Music City a handful of times in recent years, but never in a space as initimate and special as City Winery. Unsurprisingly, this one is sold out, but those who snagged tickets are in for a night to remember. [PO]
X AMBASSADORS w/ KEVIN GARRETT, STOKESWOOD
@ Marathon Music Works | 8pm | $15-18 | 18+
To say New York alt/indie rockers X Ambassadors are having a huge year would be an understatement. Their debut LP, VHS, is proving to be a runaway success, and despite having just sold out Exit/In in June, the group return just a few months later, upgraded to a larger space for their fourth Music City show in a year. X Ambassadors’ music is inescapable, and their live show is just as good, so grab tickets to see their Nashville return along with Kevin Garrett and Stokeswood before this one sells out too! [PO]
STURGILL SIMPSON w/ BILLY WAYNE DAVIS
@ Ryman Auditorium| 8pm | Sold Out | All Ages
Final night; still sold out. [JR]
[CO] Claire Osburn
[IS] Ione Singletary
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JSa] Jacqui Sahagian
[MH] Matt Hall
[MW] Meagan Whitney
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[PO] Philip Obenschain
[WD] Wes Davenport