A number of us, as surely a number of you, will be making the trip up I-65 this weekend for what is becoming an annual pilgrimage to Forecastle Festival. If you are going, you’ve likely seen our Must See Lists for the ever growing regional fest, but if you haven’t, dig into those here. Not to fret if you are sticking around town this weekend though,
FRIDAY
MILKTOOTH
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm | FREE | All Ages
We’ve been fans of Milktooth for about as long as we can remember. Their unique take on indie rock features unique instrumentation and deeply emotive songwriting, not to mention that they put real effort into some ace covers. They just dropped a new single on Lightning 100 this week, as you’ve probably heard, and will performing as the Artist Of The Week this week at Soulshine around happy hour. Head below to get a taste of the new track, “Voices.” [MH]
DEL THE FUNKY HOMOSAPIEN W/ LOAF MUZIK, FINDING NOVYON
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $3-$15 | 18+
Between Hieroglyphics, Gorillaz, Deltron 3030, and more, not to mention a prolific 25 year solo career, Del the Funky Homosapien has forged one of the most interesting and celebrated careers in underground hip hop. Fiercely independent, original, and unique, Del’s been making alternative rap since way before such a thing was the norm, known for his smooth delivery, conceptual lyricism, and constant collaborative efforts. Part of this month’s Red Bull Sound Select showcase (only $3 if you RSVP), the rhymesmith is joined by Loaf Muzik and Finding Novyon, making for one of the coolest weekend happenings for those of you who sat out Forecastle. [PO]
DYNAMO & MUDDY MAGNOLIAS W/ JESS NOLAN AND RJ BRACCHITTA
@ The High Watt | 8pm | $10-12 | 18+
No Country alums Dynamo are back in town, and are hosting a big ole party at The High Watt on Friday night. We’ve seen these guys on more than one occasion, and each time was highlighted by collaboration and full on musical camaraderie. We’d expect nothing less on this outting when they share the stage with Muddy Magnolias, Jess Nolan, and RJ Bracchitta. [MH]
MAXWELL SUMMERS’ TOUR W/ FANTASIA AND RO JAMES
@ Ascend Ampitheater | 7pm | $37-132 | All Ages
Hot off the release of his fifth studio album, BlackSUMMERS’night, legendary R&B soul singer Maxwell is ready to serenade the masses in Music City at Ascend Amphitheater. Arrive on time for American Idol winner (2004) Fantasia, who also has a new record to promote, The Definition Of …, plus Ro James. All this amazing soul singing at one of the best outdoor venues in town makes for a wonderful Friday night, don’t miss it! [JR]
G-EAZY, LOGIC, YG, YO GOTTI
@ Bridgestone Arena | 7pm | $25-$65 | All Ages
If you’d rather get your hip-hop on this weekend, we got that too … it is Music City after all. Certified “big deal” California rappers G-Eazy and Logic have teamed up for top billing, with help from fellow West Coaster YG, and Memphis MC Yo Gotti. Four performers ready to break out some bodacious beats, and blow out the speakers at Bridgestone Arena. You down? [JR]
SATURDAY
SOUTHERN GIRLS ROCK AND ROLL CAMP NASHVILLE SHOWCASE
@ Third Man Records | 3pm | $10 | 18+
The coolest show in Nashville by far on Saturday will be the Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp Showcase. It’s hard to believe that this is only the second year that the great music city of Nashville has played host to the Southern Girls Rock and Roll Camp (which has also operated a camp out of Murfreesboro for over a decade), but these girls are back for round two and ready to shred! If you need to be reminded of the true value of music, or if you just want to hear some badass young people, get out to Third Man Records on Saturday and support Nashville’s next wave of awesome musicians. All proceeds from the concert will go toward the camp’s operation and funding scholarships for next years’ students. We’d say that’s $10 very well spent. [JSt]
BOOM FOREST
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $7-10 | 18+
Beloved folk-tinged, indie rockers Boom Forest have been missing around Nashville of late, but are back and taking over The High Watt on Saturday night for a low dough show you need to check out. We were digging what we heard from the latest LP, Post Knight Errant, which dropped this past winter, and now we are thrilled to have another date in Music City for another of their always exciting shows. [JR]
NPA LAUNCH PARTY FT. LIZ COOPER & THE STAMPEDE, THE INSCAPE, HOLY MOUNTAIN TOP REMOVERS, THE COMMON TIGER
@ The Glass Menage | 8pm | $5 | 18+
Do you need more psych rock in your life? The answer to that question is a resounding, yes. The whole damn world knows about our country music scene, and the pop scene is rapidly chasing down the mainstream rock scene in Music City. However, there has been a growing brood of psych rock bands budding up around town of late, and they have decided to legitimize their operations with the creation of the Nashville Psych Association. The launch party is happening at The Glass Menage (directions here), and features blog faves and No Country Presents alums Liz Cooper & The Stampede and The Inscape along with newcomer Holy Mountain Top Removers and The Common Tiger. In the parlance of some of their inspirations, “far out man.” [MH]
NEVER SHOUT NEVER W/ HUNDRED HANDED AND ME LIKE BEES
@ The End | 7pm | $20 | All Ages
What started as a quaint, poppy, MySpace-y project aligned with the Warped Tour scene, Never Shout Never have continuously evolved over the last decade, always reflecting the changing taste and mindset of key member Christofer Drew. Now a psychedelic-infused, folk-tinged indie pop project, the band have managed to retain much of their longtime fanbase while building a broader following, maturing well past trendy early hits like “Can’t Stand It” and “Harmony.” Celebrating last year’s Black Cat, NSN are joined by equally skilled and supremely interesting groups Hundred Handed and Me Like Bees, for an all ages shows at surprisingly intimate spot The End; a delightfully fun spot for diehard fans. [PO]
GARY CLARK JR. W/ RAURY
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 7pm | $32-49.50 | All Ages
Master shredder, and maybe the best blues/rock guitarist living today (RIP Stevie Ray Vaughan), Gary Clark Jr is ready to blow minds and melt faces at Ascend Amphitheater. With a hot new record to promote entitled, The Story of Sonny Boy Slim, in addition to a rising star in the warm-up slot, Raury, it’s sure to be one hell of a show. Grab a ticket while you can, and look for a full preview tomorrow. [JR]
MACY GRAY W/ SASHA
@ City Winery | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Multitalented singer-songwriter Macy Gray has been supplying her own unique mix of R&B, jazz, soul and rock since she topped the charts with her infectious single “I Try” back in 2000. Now, she’s heading back to Nashville for a special intimate show with talented local Sasha Aaron. I hope you snagged a ticket early, because this one-night-only event is sold out. [LL]
SUNDAY
ZELLA DAY W/ NIGHTLY
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $15 | All Ages
It’s been a hot minute since we last saw singer-songwriter Zella Day wowing the crowds at Live On The Green with her entrancing pop laced jams, but she has clearly been hard at work on the road in support of her stellar 2015 debut LP, Kicker. She is joined by rising Nashville outfit Nightly, who caught our attention with their standout debut single “Xo” back earlier this summer. Needless to say this is the perfect way to end the weekend on an upbeat note. [MH]
SAD BAXTER, IZE, THE RENEAUS, JACOB DISEDARE
@ fooBAR | 8pm | $5 | 18+
If you’ve been paying attention, then you know we helped Sad Baxter release a bad ass new single earlier this week, but we also wanted to give them some love in TWiN before they hit the road for several weeks. Look for IZE, No Country presents alum The Reneaus, and Jacob Disedare to help them tear the roof off fooBAR on Sunday night. [JR]
PALE DIAN, STARGAZER LILLIES, BEST FRIEND, LYLAS
@ Queen Ave | 7pm | $5 | 18+
Queen Ave is always the place in East Nashville to catch pairings of unique and exciting groups. We had a great time at their Freakin Weekend pre-party, and this Sunday will be no exception. Pale Dian are a shoegaze band with an edge, whose music sounds like Slowdive with the driving rhythmic force of New Order and The Faint. The Austin band will be joined by psych-wash band Stargazer Lillies, and local, blog faves Best Friend and Lylas. [JC]
MELISSA ETHERIDGE W/ DELTA RAE
@ Ryman Auditorium | 7pm | $37-$67 | All Ages
Don’t miss the chance to catch the truly iconic voice of Melissa Etheridge in the most iconic room in Nashville! Etheridge has been touring all summer with the likes of Pat Benatar in support of her newest record, This is M.E., and will be heading into the fall on her very own cruise along with Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, so needless to say, she’s up to some pretty exciting things. Catch her before she sails away at her Nashville tour stop with North Carolina based Americana band Delta Rae. [JSt]
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JSt] Jen Starsinic
[JC] Julian Ciany
[LL] Lorie Liebig
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain