This year’s Road to Roo competition, different from the similar “Road to Bonnaroo” competition of years past, is quickly drawing to a close. Over the past few weeks, a combination of fan and judge voting has dwindled down the initial 16 bands selected down to four Nashville finalists. OJR, Kid Freud, Jess Nolan and Roots of a Rebellion will fight it out tonight, March 31 at a FREE performance at 3rd and Lindsley for the chance to advance to the competition’s final round. Whoever comes out on top tonight will go up against the other Tennessee regional winners in the State Finals at Mercy Lounge on April 4, where one lucky artist will be awarded with a Bonnaroo timeslot.
Got all that? We know it can get a little confusing, all you need to know right now is get to 3rd and Lindsley tonight by 8 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) for four bands presented to you free of charge! Read on for more info on the performers, and get to the venue on time to be part of the voting process. See you there!
OJR
Oliver John-Rodgers’ project OJR — which is just his initials, if you hadn’t noticed — is best described as country music on acid. His music includes wonderful elements of folk with psych-rock mixed in too, and it’s all drenched in just the right amount of fuzz. Plus, we couldn’t be happier to see another band on this line up who’s played in our Acme showcase. His most recent effort, entitled Nashville Demos, should be added to your playlists immediately, and whatever you do, go see him live!
KID FREUD
Garage pop power trio Kid Freud released a kick ass EP, The End, this summer and if it’s any indication of what is to come, they could be prime to share their music on the Farm later this summer. Like so many bands in Music City, KF are ready to show everyone that they are the cream rising to the top, and, given how far they’ve already gotten in this competition, you know that’s no bullshit.
JESS NOLAN
Pop/R&B songstress Jess Nolan adds some wonderful flavor to an already incredibly diverse bill. Incorporating brass and jazz elements with her amazing work on the keys is the just the type of thing we could see ourselves lounging out too in the shade of a smaller stage at Bonnaroo. Have a taste below, and give her some love when you see her perform tonight.
ROOTS OF A REBELLION
A cornerstone of the ever growing Tennessee reggae movement, Roots of a Rebellion have been at it for a while now, and we must say we’ve enjoyed watching them grow and improve as they hone their island influenced sounds. ROAR were voted best local band in the Nashville Scene Readers’ Poll 2015, so it’s safe to say they’ll be one of the more seasoned bands on this bill. Having toured the country in the warm-up spot for other slightly more high profile bands like Rebelution, NEEDTOBREATHE, Slightly Stoopid, moe., Trombone Shorty, North Mississippi Allstars, and The Wailers certainly helps too. These dudes are definitely Roo ready.
OJR, Kid Freud, Jess Nolan and Roots of a Rebellion will perform tonight, March 31 at 3rd and Lindsley. The show is 21+, music begins at 8 p.m. (doors at 6:00 p.m.), and it’s totally FREE!
