We’ve reached the end, friends. After an electrifying season, and capping off with three days of nonstop music, today, Sept. 3 marks the last Live on the Green showcase for 2016. It seems like just yesterday that we kicked things off with Andra Day, Allen Stone, and White Denim, and have watched the bar continually rise with Jenny Lewis, Passenger, and JR JR. in week two and Dawes, Kurt Vile & the Violators, and The Record Company last week. After performances from the likes of Band of Horses, Young the Giant, BØRNS, The Wild Feathers, and more throughout the Labor Day weekend finale, LOTG caps off with a turbo charged Saturday, featuring Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, Judah & The Lion, The Weeks, Bully, Elizabeth Cook, and Aubrie Sellers on the Main Stage, with Gabe Dixon, Mountains Like Wax, Los Colognes, Alanna Royale, Bassh, and the Kids Fest on the 615 Stage.
Per usual, LOTG is free and all ages, and the music today will run from 1 p.m. (kids stage)/2:30 p.m. (main stage) to 11 p.m. Gates open at 1 p.m., and there will be plenty of food and beer vendors on site to meet your needs. Parking is just $5 at the Public Square Park Garage below the festival site, and various other garages and street parking options are available on the surrounding blocks, as well as across the bridge at LP Field. VIP tickets are sold out, so if you didn’t buy them in advance, plan to watch for free from the field. Find out more about this the finale lineup below!
BEN HARPER & THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS
Main Stage | 9:30pm
Though not always billed as such, The Innocent Criminals have been an integral part of eclectic rocker Ben Harper’s career since its earliest days. The west coast native was working with his skilled backing ensemble as early as 1993, and by 1999, they were operating under the Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals moniker with breakout LP Burn to Shine. The band, percussionist Leon Mobley, bassist Juan Nelson, drummer Oliver Charles, keyboardist Jason Yates, and guitarist Michael Ward, continued to collaborate with Harper intermittently though 2007’s Lifeline, and in 2008 went on an extended hiatus, only to reconvene last year for a string of shows, recapturing their old spark and culminating in a fantastic new album, Call It What It Is, released earlier this year. Fusing elements of rock, blues, folk, r&b, pop, alternative, and soul, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals have long been one of the most versatile, celebrated acts around, and especially draw praise for the strength of their live show. They’re a worthy choice to shut down this year’s fest, and if you didn’t manage to see them earlier this year at The Ryman, now’s a perfect opportunity. [Philip Obenschain]
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GABE DIXON
615 Stage | 8:30pm
Set to head up the stacked local lineup of the 615 Stage, singer-songwriter Gabe Dixon and his signature flavor of piano driven rock is one of Nashville’s most gifted artists. Gabe first garnered attention from The Gabe Dixon Band, which he founded in 1999, releasing a string of prominent albums through the ’00s, and even collaborating with musical legend Paul McCartney on the former Beatles’ 2001 album Driving Rain. By 2010, The Gabe Dixon Band was no more, and its namesake frontman began a solo career, which kicked off with 2011’s One Spark, featuring contributions from the likes of Alison Krauss and James Walsh. With this year’s Turns to Gold, Dixon further pushed his boundaries as a solo artist, parting ways with much of his business team, exploring new influences and subjects, and teaming up with producer Paul Moak to record here in town, even ditching his typical grand piano for an upright for the first time. The result is fantastic, and there’s never been a better time to catch Gabe’s solo act in person. [Philip Obenschain]
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JUDAH & THE LION
Main Stage | 8pm
Judah Akers and his bandmates formed Judah & The Lion in Music City, but all four members hail from different places around the U.S. As a result, everyone involved brought their own uniqueness to the project that truly manifests itself in their medley of sounds. Hip hop influenced percussion, distortion rich banjo licks, furious mandolin strumming and buzzy bass have been seamlessly blended together to wonderful effect. Their 2014 release, Like Kids These Days, reached number two on Billboard’s Heatseeker chart and number four on the Folk chart, but that was just the beginning. Fiercely independent, the band have earned everything they have the hard way, through relentless touring and epic live shows. They must be doing some things right, because their latest release, Folk Hop N’ Roll, was helmed by none other than Nashville’s resident super producer Dave Cobb (Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton). It was recorded in a series of marathon sessions over two weeks, in an effort to capture the lightning of their live shows in a studio bottle. It just goes to show you, in this brave new music industry world, label money isn’t always the deciding factor. Catch Judah and his gang this on LOTG’s main stage, in the midst of their path to become the next breakout local success story. [Jacob Ryan]
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MOUNTAINS LIKE WAX
615 Stage | 7:15pm
Mountains Like Wax are the winners of this year’s Music City Mayhem competition, and we’re incredibly glad to see that such an exciting group, and one at odds with the typical LOTG performer, were chosen by fans to perform this year; it’s a perfect illustration of Nashville’s changing tastes and new musical trends, and this band couldn’t be more deserving. Formed in Murfreesboro, where MTSU has helped attract so many skilled players and forged so many great bands, the young group, now officially a duo of Mitchell Taylor and Samuel Katz (presumably rounded out live by a backing band), released their debut EP Tetralogy last fall, after generating buzz the last couple of years through DIY performances and local outings. Mountains Like Wax conjure a dense, emotionally-charged, and haunting style of southern-tinged indie/post-rock, and we encourage every single LOTG attendee to give them a shot, to see what the future of the Nashville music scene really sounds like. [Philip Obenschain]
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THE WEEKS
Main Stage | 6:30pm
Blending southern rock with garage, alternative, and indie rock sounds, The Weeks started in high school, and produced several early albums before ultimately relocating to Nashville, and, subsequently, signing to Kings of Leon’s Serpents & Snakes record label. Their breakthrough came in the form of 2012 (originally 2011) release, Gutter Gaunt Gangster, with 2013’s Dear Bo Jackson helping expand their critical and commercial presence, and further realize the evolution of their sound. The band dropped their most recent EP, Buttons, in 2014, and are finally gearing up to release their long-awaited new album early next year (hear first new tune in years, “Talk Like That,” below). Just in the past few years, we’ve seen the group grow from small rooms to festival staples, club headliners, and international touring artists, and we couldn’t be prouder of their success. Eclectic in sound and energetic in their live performance, The Weeks are truly one of the most exciting rock bands to emerge from Nashville recent years. They’ve been testing out some new tunes in inmate rooms around the country in recent months, and with album details finally materializing, we’d definitely expect plenty of fresh jams! [Philip Obenschain]
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LOS COLOGNES
615 Stage | 5:45pm
What started as a blues rock duo a few years back, and has since morphed into something of a full on jam-influenced roots rock outfit, Los Colognes are primed for an event like Live on the Green. Pulling from influences like JJ Cale, Dire Straits, and the Grateful Dead, the group came together after frontman Jay Rutherford and drummer Aaron Mortenson relocated from Chicago to Nashville in 2010, searching for a new sound after playing for years in other projects. Getting their footing both as an original band and as backing players for a whole crop of talented artists, Los Colognes released their debut album in 2013, and quickly made a splash in the local scene, managing to put a modern and fresh spin on what could affectionally be categorized as “dad rock.” Rounding out their lineup and organically building a following, the group further honed their sound and matured with last year’s fantastic second effort Dos, earning festival spots and and developing a growing following. The band really shine live, so don’t miss ’em! [Philip Obenschain]
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BULLY
Main Stage | 5pm
Throughout their earliest shows in 2013, buzzyworthy DIY releases and local domination in 2014, and subsequent signing, major label full-length debut, and well-earned international acclaim in 2015, watching local grunge pop group Bully rightfully ascend to become one of modern rock and roll’s most important acts has been an immensely gratifying journey. Led by singer/songwriter/producer Alicia Bognanno, an MTSU grad and former intern of beloved producer Steve Albini, Bully, despite their big label pedigree, have always been, and largely remain, a fiercely organic, self-sufficient unit. Since their earlier 7″ and tape efforts, self-released self-titled EP, and last year’s full-length debut, Feels Like, which landed on more year end lists than we can count, the band have always managed to find a balance between ’90s alt-rock and grunge nostalgia, pop sensibilities, punk attitude, and modern indie flair, cemented by Bognanno’s unparalleled ear for production and biting musical sensibilities. Rounded out by drummer Stewart Copeland, guitarist Clayton Parker, and bassist Reece Lazarus, Bully are at home performing with legacy and contemporary indie and punk acts, and have quickly become festival favorites, catching attention beyond just media praise, and having their music featured in outlets like television commercials, video games, and late night TV. The are poised to become a certifiable household in no time, and their appearance at Live on the Green, a fest that doesn’t usually dip into the punk world, just underscores the fact that they’re fast becoming one of the most important rock bands making music today. This year’s fest is chock full of talent, but Bully are on a whole different plane. [Philip Obenschain]
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ALANNA ROYALE
615 Stage | 4:15pm
We’ve written about breakout local act Alanna Royale more times than we can count at this point (since literally their first show), and for good reason- they’re one of the best bands to emerge from Music City in recent years. For a more in-depth and personal recounting of their backstory, we suggest you listen to their interview on our No Country podcast from awhile back, but, for you newbies, here’s the short version. After moving from Boston in the summer of 2012, frontwoman Alanna Quinn-Broadus and guitarist Jared Colby quickly and organically formed what would become a soulful horn-infused funk/r&b outfit, exploding onto the scene mere months later with no recorded music but one hell of a turbocharged live show. They quickly became the buzziest new band in Nashville, and went on to release an EP in early 2013, shortly before nabbing a spot at Bonnaroo and proceeding to tour. Now road worn and well-respected as one of Nashville’s most consistent and killer live acts, Alanna dropped their debut LP, Achilles, in 2014, and it’s simply dripping with soul and passion. The group have been writing and recording new tunes for a minute, so expect some big announcements soon! [Philip Obenschain]
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ELIZABETH COOK
Main Stage | 3:45pm
After a six year absence, acclaimed songstress Elizabeth Cook returned earlier this summer with a long-awaited six album, Exodus of Venus, garnering a new wave of praise as one of country’s sharpest and most refreshing performers. Since 2000, Cook, a Florida native and youngest of 11, raised by a musician mother and formerly incarcerated bootlegger turned musician father, has been something of an under the radar traditionalist country star, having performed hundreds of times at The Grand Ole Opry, frequently guesting on The Late Show with David Letterman, and collbaroing with big names like Dwight Yoakam, Rodney Crowell, Buddy Miller, and Jason Isbell. Her 2010 effort Welder, especially, was met with immense praise, and in the six years since, a tumultuous series of tragic events and personal blows helped shape what would become Cook’s latest. Including some country at LOTG makes sense, since this is Nashville after all, but we’re especially glad to see a performer as talented as Elizabeth Cook bringing her unbelievable presence to the bill. [Philip Obenschain]
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BASSH
615 Stage | 3pm
Poppy, alt/indie rock duo Bassh are made up of Jimmy Brown and CJ Hardee, best known for their other band, North Carolina’s Matrimony. Now based in Music City, the musical newcomers racked up buzz last year thanks to their debut single “Body,” produced by Bill Reynolds of Band of Horses (Reynolds seems to have also been mistakenly credited as being a member of the band on multiple outlets, but that doesn’t seem to actually be the case). Bassh are so new, in fact, that we can’t tell you much about them, but their hypnotic, nostalgic, sound and sweeping harmonies should be more than enough to pique your interest. [Philip Obenschain]
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AUBRIE SELLERS
Main Stage | 2:30pm
There are few artists as unique and driven as Aubrie Sellers in country music today. The daughter of Lee Ann Womack and acclaimed songwriter Jason Sellers, the burgeoning artist comes from a background of incredible talent. Still, she’s made it clear that she has no intentions of becoming a cookie-cutter clone of her famous mother. Instead, she’s found her own sound, which she lovingly calls “garage country.” On her debut LP, New City Blues, Sellers highlights her incredible songwriting skills, as well as her impressive ability to craft a mixture of alt-rock and traditional country that blends together flawlessly. By stripping away any acoustic instruments, Sellers lets her fuzzy electric guitar and pure vocals move to the forefront. From the sassy and determined “Sit Down and Cry” to the moving “Something Special,” Sellers confronts all of the emotional ups and downs that come about in your early 20s. Still, it’s a record so well crafted that listeners of all ages can instantly connect with the honesty and fearlessness that’s featured in every track. Each of those songs sound even better on the live stage, so make sure to show up early and catch her LOTG debut. [Lorie Liebig]
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KIDS FEST WITH MR. STEVE
615 Stage | 1pm
Live on the Green prides itself on being an all ages affair, and that commitment is especially obvious with Saturday’s early afternoon kid’s stage, adopted in recent years. Headed up and curated by the energetic, joyful, and talented Mr. Steve, The Music Man, a long running children’s songwriting and music director at Belmont Weekday School, the kid’s fest always features plenty of guests, and serves as a fun and engaging way to keep the young’ns entertained ahead of a long day of free music. [Philip Obenschain]
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