There are two distinct paths diverging on your weekend trail. The CMA’s are taking over Nashville and the megafest Bonnaroo is happening just a few miles down the road. However, we aren’t all able to partake in Roo, and will find ourselves seeking rock refuge in Nashville when Music City is overwhelmingly twangy. Fear not rock fan. We have you covered with our rundown of staff picks in this week’s TWiN!
FRIDAY
THE BURPS, SAD BAXTER, STEP SISTERS
@ Charlie Bob’s | 9pm | $5 | 18+
If you’re looking for a garage rock show in a perfect, no frills, homey setting, then this is the bill for you! The all local bill features The Burps, friends of the blog Sad Baxter and Step Sisters, and each group brings a unique flavor of fuzzy, scuzzy, and kick-ass to the party. At just five bucks it’s easily of our Eastside low dough show of the week. Be there. [JR]
BODY ORIGAMI, CANVAS PEOPLE, APOLLO WILD, M.G. FAKLER
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $5 | 21+
Formerly called Nest, Body Origami are one of the best, most underrated groups in town. We raved about their 2o14 EP Hadal, and were stoked to see that they finally dropped new tunes (the first under their new name) earlier this spring. Their sound is progressive, melodic, indie punk, with elements of emo and post-hardcore, and they should definitely be up your alley if you enjoy bands like Balance and Composure, Mew, and Brand New. Joining the group for this budget-friendly show are Canvas People, Apollo Wild, and M.G. Fakler! [PO]
BIG THIEF W/ DEAD CURES
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5-7 | 21+
Buzzy Brooklyn based indie rockers Big Thief take a more emotional approach to rock and roll, and their debut release Masterpiece has been gaining significant traction. They share a bill with equally buzzy Nashville rockers Dead Cures. If you are in dire need of some genuine rock music in the middle of CMA’s, this is a very safe bet for a perfect evening. [MH]
MIDNIGHT RIDERS: A TRIBUTE TO THE ALLMAN BROTHERS
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $10 | 21+
Take a ride with the music of legends when The Basement East welcomes a cast of players who are coming together to pay tribute to one of the greatest Southern rock ’n’ roll bands of all time, The Allman Brothers. You already know all the songs, but you may never have heard them quite like this. If you’re hitting Five Points this weekend, you should probably be checking out Midnight Riders: A Tribute to the Allman Brothers, because if you’re going to be playing covers in Music city, it’s almost a given that you better wail. [JR]
RAY WYLIE HUBBARD W/ AARON LEE TASJAN
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $20 | All Ages
This weekend you’ve got a chance to see songwriting legend Ray Wylie Hubbard along with local songwriter, Aaron Lee Tasjan, who was undoubtedly influenced by Hubbard. Hubbard’s been writing incredible songs for decades, and in addition to performing them himself, his material has been recorded by other greats, including Jerry Jeff Walker. Tasjan’s 2015 album, In the Blazes, was regarded by many as one of the best of the year. If the crowds of ‘Roo aren’t quite your scene, this is a show not to be missed. [MW]
BAND OF HORSES
@ The Basement | 5pm | SOLD OUT | 21+
While in town this weekend to play Bonnaroo, acclaimed indie rockers Band of Horses will stop by The Basement for a special, intimate performance in support of their new album, Why Are You Ok, which drops the very same day. The group are no strangers to Music City, famously recording a live album at The Ryman a few years ago, and, unsurprisingly, spots for this cool show went fast. [PO]
SATURDAY
SONS OF ZEVON – 1975
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $12 | 18+
We’ve been talking about Sons Of Zevon for a few years now. You may have noticed that we don’t talk too much about the rave around cover nights in Nashville of late, but this collective of Nashville musicians, who have been performing their quarterly (or so) tribute to the 70’s for quite a while now, are something all together different. They are helmed by Jamie Rubin with regulars Audley Freed, Jen Gunderson, Kevin Hornback, and Joe Pispia, but every show is stacked with guests to bring the year (this time 1975) to life. If you are looking to escape for a night of “oh my god, I can’t believe they just did that,” this is your show. [MH]
CREAM, A PRINCE TRIBUTE TO BENEFIT MUSIC CARES
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $5 | 21+
What initially started as a one time tribute to late great Prince by Grimey and friends, was such a success, they decided to repeat the event. Grimey and a band including, Pat Sansone of Wilco, Tristen, Laura Mayo, Brian Kotzur, Jessie Isley, Hags, Justin Kalk, Matt Mahaffey, Allen Thompson, Keisha Bailey and Rachal Davis will bring the Purple One back to your ears on Saturday with a benefit for Music Cares. Whether you are a local or a tourist needing a break from the melee, this is a show that will show you what Nashville is really about. [MH]
SUNDAY
AUBRIE SELLERS W/ DYLAN LeBLANC
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $10 | All Ages
Americana/rock tinged singer songwriter, and daughter of Lee Ann Womack, Aubrie Sellers, is top billing at an intimate show at 3rd & Lindsley that you need in your life if you’re looking to wind down Sunday night. Fresh of a set he’s playing at Bonnaroo, western crooner Dylan LeBlanc will be starting things off, and, at just ten dollars, we want to assure you this show is a steal! [JR]
THE INSCAPE W/ APOLLO WILD, SPACE TIGER, POST
@ fooBAR | 8pm | $5 | 18+
We just premiered a new single, “Back Home,” from The Inscape, which represents the return of one of our fave psych bands in the Nashville scene. They bring the weekend to an end with a perfectly tasty bill featuring Apollo Wild, Space Tiger, and Post at fooBAR on Sunday. If you couldn’t make it into Bonnaroo this year, or came home early because of the heat… here’s your redemption. [MH]
HARRY CONNICK JR.
@ Ryman Auditorium | 7:30pm | $45-105 | 18+
The one and only Harry Connick Jr. is bringing his piano and his beautiful voice to serenade the willing at The Mother Church this Sunday, and we think his act is tailor-made for it. A throw back to a different time in music, when the male vocalist rained supreme (see Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, etc) with a swinging band to back them up. Tickets are still available, so welcome the New Orleans native and show him that Music City still has love for him when he’s doing his thing. [JR]
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[MH] Matt Hall
[MW] Meagan Whitney
[PO] Philip Obenschain