As we head into the holiday season in full force, it seems that folks are trying to pack their final shows from 2015 into these last couple of weeks before the year end shutdown. This weekend features a few shows that we’ve yapping about for weeks like (umm) The Weeks at The Basement East and AWOLNATION at War Memorial. But, it also features a hometown performance from Those Darlins, a Cosmic Thug ready romp, a three night stand from The Wood Brothers, and more! Head below to dig into all of our staff picks in this week’s edition of TWiN.
FRIDAY
NATURAL FORCES
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm | FREE | All Ages
You may remember when we premiered the video for Natural Forces’ track “Animal,” and, if you are an astute Lightning 100 listener, you’ve probably heard that track in heavy rotation this week. Natural Forces are L100’s “Local Artist Of The Week,” and that means they will get your week started over at Soulshine Pizza around 7pm! It’s always a good hang with great tunes. If you haven’t been by to check one out yet, you’re really missing out. [MH]
AWOLNATION w/ HIGHLY SUSPECT, RED SUN RISING
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 8pm | $29.50 | All Ages
As we already told you all about in detail, breakout electronic/alt rockers AWOLNATION are set to return to Nashville in support of their massive sophomore effort Run, as part of 102.9’s “The Buzz Swanky Sweater Christmas Jam.” The LA-based group are best known for their massive hit “Sail,” and put on an incredible live show. Rounding out the bill are more rock-leaning up and comers Highly Suspect and Red Sun Rising. [PO]
RELIENT K w/ RUN RIVER NORTH, CARDBOARD KIDS
@ Cannery Ballroom | 7:30pm | $20 | All Ages
In what is apparently becoming a holiday tradition, acclaimed pop punk turned pop rock act Relient K will return to Cannery Ballroom for a hometown show (though they hail from Ohio, the band’s two core members have been Nashville residents for several years now). While maybe not quite as exciting as last year’s Mmhmm 10-year anniversary performance, expect plenty of favorites old and new from the band’s 15 years of fantastic releases. Site faves Run River North and buzzworthy locals Cardboard Kids open, making this one of the weekend’s best bets! [PO]
THE WOOD BROTHERS w/ SAM LEWIS, JERRY DOUGLAS
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $25 | All Ages
Not many bands get booked for a three night run at 3rd & Lindsley, but we are thrilled to announce that this weekend you have a great chance of catching The Wood Brothers, a group we have been following for a few years now. Their bluesy/folk blend is captivating with just enough New Orleans jazzy groove thrown in to make them a really fun act to watch. Opening the show is world renowned Dobro master, 13 time Grammy winner, and Nashvillian Jerry Douglas. And Sam Lewis, whose sophomore release was produced by Oliver Wood, is also on the bill. This will be a great night filled with some amazing musicians! [IS]
KNOCKED LOOSE, ORTHODOX, HERETIC, VARIALS, DEBRIS
@ Cafe Coco | 8pm | $10 | All Ages
This show is going to be heavy as shit. Kentucky beatdown act Knocked Loose, no strangers to Nashville, will be tearing it up at Cafe Coco with a whole slew of great bands, local and from across the country, including Orthodox, Nashville’s forerunners of straight edge hardcore. and Dallas metal band Heretic, dark, sludgy, and in the same vein as Slipknot. Did you know some bands still sing? It’s crazy. Opening the show we have Philly drop-tune band Varials, as well as up-and-coming locals Debris, for whom this is their EP release show. Come out and bang your head, and bring the pit with you. [JL]
THOSE DARLINS w/ RANCH GHOST, SAVOY MOTEL
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm | $10 | 18+
Nashvillians have been keeping up with Those Darlins since they formed here in 2006, when they were among the best of the many emerging alt-country bands. Today, they’re one of the best rock bands in town. With a slightly evolved lineup and loads of national press following 2013’s Blur the Line, more and more people are catching on to one of our favorites, and we’re always excited for a chance to hear them play a hometown gig. Also playing are local psychedelic, surf rockers Ranch Ghost and Savoy Motel, another Nashville band, who play a mix of boogie rock, funk, and prog. [MW]
DORAN DANOFF, WALKING MAN, KEVIN BRENNAN & LUKE NICHOLSON
@ Springwater Supper Club | 9pm | $5 | 21+
New York based Doran Danoff brings his unique twanged up, well versed, rock stylings to Springwater Supper Club. He is joined by one of our best finds in 2015, Walking Man, who we recently were blown away by at our Acme Showcase. Kevin Brennan & Luke Nicholson get things started. [MH]
THE WEEKS w/ CHROME PONY, JUNIOR ASTRONOMERS
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $15-20 | 21+
Ahead of a new live album (and, presumably, a forthcoming full-length) local rockers The Weeks are set to play their last Nashville show of the year this weekend at The Basement East with fellow local favorites Chrome Pony and North Carolina cohorts Junior Astronomers. We probably don’t have to tell you much about The Weeks at this point; you know that the southern-tinged garage rockers are phenomenal live, and The BEast will be a hell of a spot to catch them. Head here for a full preview. [PO]
CHARLY BLISS w/ DADDY ISSUES, EBONY EYES
@ The Stone Fox | 8pm | $8 | 18+
We last told you about New York grunge pop group Charly Bliss when they opened for Veruca Salt over the summer, and have been eager to see them in a headlining spot ever since. This weekend’s Stone Fox show couldn’t be better matched, pairing the buzzworthy band will local trio Daddy Issues as well as Ebony Eyes. This is hands down the best under the radar show of the weekend, and amidst a pretty jam-packed Friday, definitely deserves your consideration. [PO]
SATURDAY
DRIVIN’ N’ CRYIN’ (FT. WARNER E HODGES) w/ SADLER VADEN
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $12/$15 | All Ages
Southern-tinged rock institution Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ have been churning out records for almost 30 years now. Needless to say with a pedigree like that coupled with their stellar musicianship, the chance to rock out with them at a venue like The BEast is worth every penny of the $12 price of admission. Dig into a strecthed out 20 minutes of jamtasm from a recent Music City Roots performance for a taste. [MH]
THE WOOD BROTHERS w/ SETH WALKER, AMY HELM
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $25 | All Ages
The Wood Brothers latest album Paradise was recorded here in Nashville at Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Studio and features a more rock-n-roll twist with bassist Chris Wood picking up an electric bass instead of his signature upright. Always known for their wide range of musical styles, this addition should add another exciting turn in the development of the band. Opening the show is a former Nashvillian Seth Walker, now relocated to New Orleans. His latest album Sky Still Blue was produced by Oliver Wood and five of the tracks were co-written by the two while Walker was opening for the band on tour. Plus none other than Amy Helm, a superb songwriter and daughter of Levon Helm of The Band, will appear as well. [IS]
FRAZIERBAND (ALBUM RELEASE SHOW)
@ Acme Feed & Seed | 5pm | FREE | All Ages
To honor the release of their new record, Some People Change, Frazierband are performing an early, all ages show at Acme Feed & Seed. John Frazier’s been a staple in the bluegrass/new-grass scene as a founding member of Hit & Run Bluegrass, and has toured with some of the biggest jam-grass bands (Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mt.), so we are super excited to se him put it down live. Best part? It’s 100% free! Check it out early and you can still catch a second show somewhere else. [JR]
NICK LOWE’S QUALITY HOLIDAY REVUE w/ LOS STRAIGHTJACKETS, THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS
@ City Winery | 8pm | $45-55 | All Ages
Are you ready for the Christmas Holidays? Are you perhaps looking for something a little different this year? Well then, this is the show for you! Nick Lowe released his acclaimed holiday album Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All the Family in 2013. This year he is back with a live version of the album backed by none other than Los Straitjackets. Quality Holiday Revue Live was recently released and you can catch the show this weekend at the lovely City Winery. Opening the show is The Cactus Blossoms, a duo of brothers whose latest album was produced by JD McPherson. This will be a fun show and a great start to your holiday season. [IS]
THE REVIVALISTS w/ BLACKFOOT GYPSIES
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm | $22 | 18+
The Revivalists’ latest album, Men Amongst Mountains, is about overcoming obstacles, about growing into something larger than the things that come between you and what you want to accomplish. The theme works perfectly for the Revivalists’ sound, which is big, loud, blues tinged rock and roll, with obvious soul and R&B influences. And which pairs perfectly with the opening band, Nashville’s own big, loud, blues tinged, rock and rollers Blackfoot Gypsies. [MW]
TOM WAITS TRIBUTE FOR SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
@ The 5 Spot | 8pm | $10 donation | 21+
Celebrating it’s 10th anniversary, The 5 Spot is hosting its annual Tom Waits Tribute night in benefit of Second Harvest Food Bank. If you are a fan of Waits, charitable outtings, or just good times in general, this is not to be missed. This year features blogs faves like Angel Snow, Ballhog!, Brian Ritchey, Lauren Farrah, Shane Tutmarc, and tons more! [MH]
SUNDAY
THE WOOD BROTHERS w/ BRIGITTE DEMEYER, WILL KIMBROUGH, THE MCCRARY SISTERS
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $25 | All Ages
On the last night to catch one of Nashville’s favorite local bands The Wood Brothers, they are bringing an all-star supporting cast. Not only will you get to enjoy The Wood Brothers’ blues/folk/jazz blend, but on the bill as well is The McCrary Sisters with their own style of gospel infused with soul, blues, and R&B; Nashville’s own singer-songwriter, award winning guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and all around amazingly talented Will Kimbrough, and a singer-songwriter in the classic Southern story-teller style, Brigitte DeMeyer. This will be a show full of musical styles, captivating stories, and astounding talent. [IS]
T. HARDY MORRIS w/ SAINT PÉ, JUSTIN & THE COSMICS
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $8 | 21+
One of the best bills of the the month, in our opinion, is being presented to you at The Basement East for just under ten bucks Sunday night. T. Hardy Morris (of Dead Confederate, Diamond Rugs) will be headlining, with Ian Saint Pé (Black Lips, Diamond Rugs) playing in the middle slot. We are excited to see what both artists are brining to the table with their latest line-ups, and you can look for a full preview Friday. Cosmic Thug label honcho and co-producer, Justin & The Cosmics, will be kicking things off, so don’t be late! [JR]
[IS] Ione Singletary
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JL] Jackson Lord
[MH] Matt Hall
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[MW] Meagan Whitney
[PO] Philip Obenschain