TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Oct. 21 – 23

It’s another expectedly busy weekend of shows in Nashville, and we have run down all of our staff picks to help you navigate.  There are a number of record release shows for local artists that you should consider supporting, but save some energy for a slew of touring acts that demand your attention.  Head below for your weekend plans.

FRIDAY

REPUBLICAN HAIR
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm | FREE | All Ages

Are you needing some throwback sounds with an contemporary polish?  If so, you’ve probably been nodding along in your car wondering who you were listening to on Lightning 100.  Their Artist of the Week are Republican Hair, and their new single “Jody” is something you will likely want to spin on repeat.  You can do that below, but you should also start your weekend off right with their free set at Soulshine Pizza on Friday night. [MH]

OLIVIA JEAN w/  YUMI & THE SYSTEM, BOO DUDES, DEEPER
@ Fond Object | 7pm | $7 | All Ages

Now that we’re just a little over a week away from Halloween, it’s time to start getting into the spirit of the holiday with some spooky-themed shows, and there’s probably no better one in town  this Friday than Olivia Jean’s show at Fond Object. Queen of the macabre, Olivia Jean, formerly of The Black Belles, has songs with titles like “Merry Widow.” Joining her at this backyard show are grunge rockers Yumi & the System, Nashville’s best Halloween band, Boo Dudes, and Chicago-based indie rockers, Deeper. [MW]

BEAR HANDS w/ SAVIOR ADORE
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm | $16-$20 | 18+

Brooklyn experimental indie/post-punk group Bear Hands have been steadily building buzz over the past few years, most recently continuing their ascent with third album You’ll Pay for This, which landed in the top 10 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart earlier this year. The band return to Nashville this weekend to headline Mercy Lounge with support from Savior Adore, and given the group’s swift and widespread rise, it’s sure to be one of the most bumping shows in town. [PO]

BLUE OCTOBER w/ DANNY MALONE
@ Cannery Ballroom | 8pm | $25 | 18+

Formed in 1995 by brothers Justin and Jeramy Furstenfeld in Houston, TX, Blue October’s brand of alternative rock has earned them fans far and wide. Known especially for their platinum 2006 release, Foiled, the band have been going strong ever since, and dropped a new LP, entitled Home, earlier this year. Look for Austin,TX based future folk performer Danny Malone to kick things off. [JR]

COMMODORE QUAKE: BIG SEAN w/ A$AP FERG
@ Vanderbilt Memorial Gymnasium | 8pm | $40-60 | All Ages

A long running annual homecoming tradition, the Commodore Quake is a fall concert hosted in Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gym, and always serves as a reflection of what mainstream artists are currently at peak popularity with the college crowd. Unsurprisingly, the event has been largely dominated by big name rappers in recent years, and this weekend’s pairing of Big Sean and A$AP Ferg brings two of the freshest modern MCs in the game back to Nashville. It’s been three years since Sean played Music City, and this marks his first outing since last year’s fantastic Dark Sky Paradise, which helped the rapper, a protege of Kanye West, become one of the most celebrated names in hip hop. [PO]

THE AQUADUCKS
@ Acme Feed & Seed | 8pm | FREE | 21 +

Long time blog faves The Aquaducks have made a name in the local music scene for their party inducing mix of funk, soul, R&B, and hip hop, and they will let that show in their upcoming LP Live At The Basement East, which drops this week.  The band will be celebrating with a prime time set at Acme Feed & Seed on Friday night, so, if you are downtown or need a reason to be downtown, this is one set that you’ll want to stop in to check out. [MH]

AIKO
@ Exit/ In| 9pm | $10 | 18+

It’s been a pretty monster week for the jam scene with Phish and Bob Weir capitalizing the mid week Nashville show calendar, and our friends over at Exit/In plan to keep the party going.  Aiko formed in Nashville in 1984, and were a player in the local jam scene at that time.  In the years since, the founding members have gone on to follow musical careers in other projects, but they still manage to get together every now and then to revel long time fans with their impressive array of covers and originals.  If you are still feeling the glow of this week, head to Exit/In to stay in the spirit. [MH]

J. MARCO w/ BENJAMIN A. HARPER, GABE BURDULIS
@ The East Room | 8pm | $5 | 18+

Singer, songwriter and guitarist J. Marco is making waves in the Nashville rock scene. After teasing several singles before the release of his debut album Myth, the album is finally here, so head out to The East Room to celebrate the big day with him. Benjamin A. Harper will also be there sharing tunes from his solo effort Get Thee Behind Me, a wonderful experiment in ’60s-inspired indie pop. [MG]

SUMMERTIME w/ LYBECKER, ELIJAH NEWMAN
@ The Crying Wolf | 9pm | FREE | 21+

A callback to the prime, fun, and energetic pop punk scene of last decade, locals Summertime are doing their part in helping strengthen Nashville’s reputation for a wide variety of quality punk in all flavors, and this weekend they’re hosting a night of free music at The Crying Wolf, also featuring Seattle’s Lybecker and local Elijah Newman. It’s hard to argue with the price, especially when it’s at one of our favorite east end bars, and it’s also a great chance to soak up a side of the local music scene you might not have yet experienced. [PO]

SATURDAY

ATHENS OF THE SOUTH FESTIVAL ft. SMOOTH HOUND SMITH, TRISTEN, DARRIN BRADBURY, BECCA MANCARI, CORDOVAS, THE GILLS, & MORE
@East Park | 11:30 am | FREE | All Ages

What better way to spend a beautiful, fall day than outside listening to great, free music? This Saturday some of the best bands in town will play at East Park as part of Athens of the South Fest, a free, all-ages event, with music starting at 11:30 a.m. and continuing into the evening. There’s a long list of our favorite local artists playing, including Liz Cooper & The Stampede, Tristen, Smooth Hound Smith, The Gills, Becca Mancari, Cordovas, Justin & The Cosmics and more. There’s kid-friendly music by Mr. Steve, food trucks, and visual artists to make for a whole day’s worth of activity. [MW]

LIGHT THE NATIONS 615 ft. THE TIGER BEATS, TOMMY HANS, MOON AND FORTY-TWO, & MORE
@ 51st Ave. in West Nashville | 4pm | FREE | All Ages

Roll over the the west side this weekend, and check of the Light the Nations festival for free. The event runs from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and is designed to highlight the thriving area, known as The Nations, featuring local businesses, art, vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment. Headlining will be The Tiger Beats (helmed by East Nashville soul/rock bluesman Patrick Sweany), with help from singer-songwirtier Tommy Hans, new country western outfit Moon and Forty-Two, and many more! Visit the Facebook event page for more information. [JR]

FAUX FEROCIOUS w/ TEDDY AND THE ROUGH RIDERS, FUTURE DAZE
@ Fond Object | 5pm | $7-$10 | 21 +

Local shredders Faux Ferocious are celebrating the release of their vinyl Cloning The Rubicon on Friday via Striped Light.  The record is a collection of singles previously released through the Infinity Cat and Burger Record cassettes, so you know the material is choice, as is evident in the first single, “Feeding Frenzy” below.  They’ll be joined by scene stalwarts Teddy And The Rough Riders and Future Daze for a special release show in the backyard at Fond Object.  Free drinks will be provided for those 21 and over, as if you needed another excuse. [MH]

MAC MILLER w/ SOULECTION ft. LAKIM, CLOCKWORKDJ
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 8pm | $30 | All Ages

Another strong weekend pick for hip hop fans, Pittsburg’s Mac Miller has, since breaking onto the scene around five years, developed a knack for channeling old school hip hop sensibilities coupled with poignant, socially aware lyricism, becoming an unlikely and outspoken figure on a variety of issues both personal and political. His latest LP, The Divine Feminine, is his best yet, and it definitely feels like the most exciting time ever to see Mac in action. [PO]

WHITE ANIMALS w/ MIKE ARNOLD & THE MUSIC CITY ROCKERS
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $15 | 18+

Local ‘80s pop punks White Animals earn top honors on a bill guaranteed to get you feet moving. In the warmup spot are probably one of the best cover bands in the city, Mike Arnold & The Music city Rockers, and together the two groups will give you an amazing night of music for under twenty bucks. If you need tunes in your life this weekend, but you don’t want to spend a ton of dough, this may be the prefect show for you. [JR]

MUSIC CITY BIG BREAK ROUND 4
@ Mercy Lounge & High Watt | 8pm | FREE w/ RSVP or $7 at the door | 18+

We’ve been tracking Music City Big Break for a few weeks now, and the battle of the bands concludes with the finals on Saturday night.  These semi-finalists competing are Kid Freud, Katie Pruitt, Jess Nolan, The Black Mags, Luthi, and Cor Captis.  Pretty much all of the bands have been on our radar for a while, and you know that with a prize package including studio time, merch packs, CD pressing, and a festival slot up for grabs that they will be giving it all they have.  Just ask The Gills what a break they got last year, when they took home to crown. [MH]

JOANNA BARBERA w/ PHANTOM FARMER, GUTS CLUB
@ Mad Donna’s Loft | 8pm | $5 | 21+

Austin transplant Joanna Barbera turned us into fans when she played our Acme Showcase last year. The singer-songwriter has perfected a haunting, folk-rock sound, powered by her lyrical storytelling, and for $5, there’s just no excuse not to go check out this rising local artist. Americana crooner Phantom Farmer, and self-described “weirdo country” outfit Guts Club will kick off the show. [MG]

SUNDAY

MEWITHOUTYOU w/ INTO IT. OVER IT., NEEDLE POINTS
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm | $18-$20 | 18+

Admittedly, Philadelphia indie/art rock outfit mewithoutYou have played Nashville a TON over the past few years, and, to a somewhat lesser extent, modern emo trailblazers Into It. Over It. have been no strangers to Music City themselves. Still, a chance to see these two very different but complimentary groups together, along with openers Needle Points, is enough to make this one of our top show picks of the weekend, and perhaps a contender for best happenings of the whole fall. [PO]

WILLIE WATSON w/ AOIFE O’DONOVAN
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $20 | All Ages

Willie Watson, a former member of Old Crow Medicine Show and frequent collaborator with Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, brings his solo set to 3rd & Lindsley this weekend. The Folk Singer Vol. 1, released in 2014 on Welch’s Acony Records label and recorded here in Nashville, consists of songs from an American folk songbook that have been revamped with Watson’s signature style. Below, check out his performance of one of those tunes, “Rock Salt & Nails,” live at Music City Roots out at The Factory in Franklin.  One of our highlights from Americana Fest, Aofie O’Donovan, kicks things off for what is the perfect ending to your weekend. [MG]

ROONEY w/ ROYAL TEETH, SWIMMING WITH BEARS
@ 12th & Porter | 9pm | $15 | 18 +

Celebrating their fourth album and first in six years, Washed Away, LA’s Rooney, now effectively a solo vehicle for frontman Robert Schwartzman, are experiencing something of a second wind, further honing their nostalgic blend of retro pop and modern indie and alt rock. Accompanied by buzzy up and comers Royal Teeth and Swimming with Bears, the group are back in town for the first time in five years this weekend, and we told you all about the show in detail right here. [PO]

BOB MOSES w/ NO REGULAR PLAY, HARRISON BROME
@ Exit/ In | 9pm |$16-$50 | 18 +

Rising electronic duo Bob Moses have had quite the year.  They really broke out with their singles “Tearing Me Up” and “Too Much Is Never Enough,” which saw them land spots of summer festivals across the world, and they are bringing their high energy dance beats and laid back vocals to Exit/In on Sunday night to end the weekend on a high note.   Eclectic electro outfit No Regular Play will mesmerize you with their tripped out effects, and Harrison Brome will open things up with his R&B influenced pop. [MH]

STEP SISTERS w/ REALITY SOMETHING, RAMONDA HAMMER, BIG SURR
@ The Glass Menage | 9pm | $5 | All Ages

Local garage rockers Step Sisters (read this post) are part of a very heady bill at The Glass Menage, which also features No Country Presents alum Reality Something, grunge pop outfit from LA Ramona Hammer, and fuzz popsters Big Surr. All this great music presented to you on behalf of Cold Lunch Recordings for just $5 at the door; easily our low dough show of the weekend, and one that you cannot miss if you love underground indie rock. [JR]

CIVILIAN w/ DEREK WEBB, RILEY WILDMEN
@ The High Watt | 8pm | $10-$12 | 21+

Local rockers CIVILIAN are celebrating the release of their new record You Wouldn’t Believe What Privilege Costs on Friday, which was recorded  with Dan Hannon (Manchester Orchestra) at Sound Stage here in Nashville. They will host a release show on Sunday night at The High Watt with singer songwriter Derek Webb and rockers Riley Wildmen. [MH]

[JR] Jacob Ryan
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[MH] Matt Hall
[MW] Meagan Whitney
[PO] Philip Obenschain