While Halloween officially falls on a Monday this year, the parties are going to be in full swing this weekend. We have block parties, scary club shows, and costume worthy events galore going on this weekend, along with a couple of scarily sold out Sturgill shows at The Ryman. Head below to find your fix for All Hallow’s Eve weekend from our full rundown of top staff picks.
FRIDAY
BASEMENT TAPES
@ Third Man Records | 5pm | $10 | 18+
Head on over to Third Man Records’ Blue Room for a VHS swap meet featuring local vendors. The swap meet starts at 5 pm, followed by an all-night horror movie marathon, featuring the weirdest and most depraved/rare horror films you’ll ever see! Movies start at 7 pm, and spots for this 18+ affair are limited, so grab your tickets now. [JR]
ELEL
@ Grimeys | 6pm | FREE | All Ages
It’s been the week of ELEL here in Nashville. The rising indie popsters celebrated the release of their long awaited full-length, Geode, last week, and had an official release party a couple of weeks ago at The Basement East. They keep the party going with an intimate in-store at Grimey’s to start your weekend off right. If you are somehow a regular reader of this site, and still haven’t managed to see ELEL live, this is really a no brainer. [MH]
JACK BERRY
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm | FREE | All Ages
One of our favorite No Country Presents alumni, Jack Berry is getting his day in the sun at Soulshine Pizza, where he is the Lightning 100 featured artist of the week. Jack is still riding high on the release of his latest record, Mean Machine, which dropped this past May. Full of grit, the LP showcases the rock n’ roll blues man at his best, taking his audience to church; but instead of sacrament, they’ll be serving hot ‘Za, cold beers and room temperature whiskey. Don’t miss your chance to catch a great local talent for free! [JR]
SOULJA BOY TELL EM, DJ TANNER AND UNCLE JESSE, JUNG YOUTH, SPICE J, & MORE!
@ 12th & Porter | 7pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
With the absolutely stacked lineup of rappers, DJs, and more set to entertain, it’s no surprise that 12th and Porter’s Music City BooYah Block Party has already sold out. Headed up by Soulja Boy, the event also features site favorite Jung Youth, famed local DJs like Spice J, and so many more! [PO]
HALLOWEIRD ft. BLACKFOOT GYPSIES, GRINGO STAR, CHROME PONY, & MORE
@ The East Room | 7pm | $15 | 18+
Our friends over at Cold Lunch Recordings are taking over our favorite dark and scary room on the east side for a special night packed with kick ass local bands. Blog faves like the Blackfoot Gypsies and Chrome Pony headline a full night of mischief with plenty of scary accouterments to spice things up. If you really want to get scared head out early and stop by Hail Dark Aesthetics in the same building to really get in the spirit. [MH]
AARON LEE TASJAN w/ BRIAN WRIGHT
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm | $12 | All Ages
In case you missed our announcement post, Aaron Lee Tasjan is gearing up to release his latest LP, Silver Tears, this weekend, and he is doing so in grand style. He is starting his day at Lightning 100 during your morning commute and winding his way through a, largely open to the public, intra-city tour, that culminates with his official release party at 3rd & Lindsley. Tasjan is a true songwriters’ songwriter as he spins yarns that are poetic, poignant, and, at times, downright hysterical. Head below to listen to “12 Bar Blues” from the upcoming record to hear the inspiration for the 12 bar tour on Friday. [MH]
LUTHI
@ Acme Feed & Seed | 8pm | FREE | 21 +
Yet another No Country Presents Alum that we’ve been keeping tabs on as he chases the dream of a life in music (read this post), Luthi is back at Acme, and ready to take you on a funk/soul indie pop rock adventure. With a steady evolving sound, we’re always excited to see what new tricks he’s got up his sleeve, and with his incredible singing range, top-notch covers are also a for gone conclusion. This Friday, on Halloween weekend, get to Acme on time to enjoy yet another capable local artist putting it down for free. [JR]
SAFARI BOYS, THE GILLS, THE BURPS, KINHIN, UZI
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $5 | 21+
Hosted by Eastside Music Supply and presented at The 5 Spot, for the low price of $5 (plus the option to buy $3 raffle tickets for a chance to win gear), this stacked bill of locals favorites like The Gills and The Burps definitely feels like the most bang for your Halloween weekend buck. But who exactly are Safari Boys, the evening’s headliners, you ask? We’ve been told that they’re “stinky visitors on safari from our favorite nearby plane,” so it’s pretty safe to assume we’re in for a repeat of last Halloween, albeit in a much more intimate space. [PO]
STURGILL SIMPSON
@ The Ryman | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Almost a year to the date of his three-night stint at The Ryman Auditorium last year, alt-country sensation Sturgill Simpson is back for two shows at the Mother Church this weekend, and it’s no surprise that both dates are sold out. All you lucky ticket holders will get to enjoy material from his newest album A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, including his haunting ballad version of Nirvana’s classic “In Bloom, which you can check out below. And both shows are “an evening with,” so no waiting around during opening acts for y’all. [MG]
OH WONDER w/ ELLIOT MOSS
@ Exit/In | 9pm | SOLD OUT | 18+
British electro-pop duo Oh Wonder have clearly been making waves here in the states, since their show at Exit/In this weekend is sold out. Their debut self-titled album, which came out last year, is full of slow-burning, R&B infused pop tunes that will be sure to get you grooving. Opener Elliot Moss, who sounds like a more electronic version of Bon Iver, is also worth showing up early to see. [MG]
HE IS LEGEND w/ FRIENDSHIP COMMANDERS, LOOK WHAT I DID
@ The End | 9pm | $10 | 18+
Hard at work on a new album, long-running North Carolina, genre-bending hard rock/alt metal group He Is Legend return to Nashville this weekend in intimate space The End. Making this one extra appealing for heavy music fans, local punk/sludge/hardcore duo Friendship Commanders and math metal/infopunk outfit Look What I Did round out the bill! [PO]
SATURDAY
ACME HALLOWEEN
@ Acme Feed & Seed | 6pm | $15-$20 | 21 +
Get ready for possibly the biggest, and best Halloween party in Nashville of the entire holiday weekend! With a very obvious Stranger Things theme, the slogan for the event is “it goes down in the upside,” and fans of the show should get the reference. The multi-floor extravagance starts at 6 pm with DJ sets on the 1st floor, followed by local funk jam band Backup Planet performing live in person and on Acme Radio from 8 pm- 10 pm, and Sam McCrary and the Mix going from 11 pm – 2 am. On the 3rd floor from 10 pm -12 am DJ Tanner & Uncle Jesse Broadcasting live on Acme Radio, followed by a late night set from DJ Tillow. You can be part of all the action, but only if you act fast, because once tickets sell out, the doors are closed to the public. [JR]
THE CHAINSMOKERS w/ MUTEMATH
@ Nashville Municipal Auditorium | 7pm | $40 | All Ages
While breakout EDM DJ duo The Chainsmokers, currently celebrating unprecedented success with their Halsey collaboration “Closer,” are the main draw for this, by far their biggest Nashville headliner to date, it’s opening act Mutemath who have our interest most piqued. Partially now based in Nashville, the alt rockers, who most recently supported twenty one pilots at Ascend, put on one of the craziest, most amazing live shows around, and alone would be worth the price of admission. Even if you’re there for the main attraction, be sure to show up early and get the full experience! [PO]
RECOGNIZE: HALLOWEEN ft. COACH & RATE, KEVIN FERRYMAN, DJ ROD YOUREE
@ The Basement East | 8pm | $10-$15 | 21+
If a straight up Halloween dance party is what you’re in the mood for, it’s hard to beat beloved local DJs Coach & Rate, who’ll be spinning all night at The Basement East along with Kevin Ferryman and DJ Rod Youree. This sounds a show destined to sell out, so grab your spot while you can! [PO]
HERE COME THE MUMMIES w/ PEELANDER-Z
@ Marathon Music Works | 8pm | $32-$35 | 18+
We’ve already given you a full preview, and a shot at free tickets to this one, but if you didn’t win the contest, and Halloween dress up is your favorite thing in the whole world, this is the only show for. Enter the best undead band in the land, Here Come The Mummies, who despite their fully costumed schtick year round, are one of the funkiest live bands in Music City. Throw in Japanese action comic punk rockers Peelander-Z, who also stay in costume/character 365, and you have the makings for possibly the best Halloween show EVER! /don’t be a square, be there. [JR]
JUSTIN AND THE COSMICS w/ PROMISED LAND SOUND, ITASCA, ROMI MAYES BAND
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | 21+
Local garage punks Justin And The Cosmics are bringing their throwback crunch to The 5 Spot on Saturday to host an incredible bill. Blog faves Promised Land Sound don’t get enough love locally, and are on the road too often to catch on the reg, so that is a reason in itself to make this your Halloween party destination. LA based folk rockers Itasca and Canadian bred “rcknfcknrll”er Romi Mayes Band round out the evening. [MH]
KANSAS BIBLE COMPANY w/ MAJOR AND THE MONBACKS
@ The Basement | 9pm | $7-$10 | 21+
A couple of No Country Presents alums are teaming up to bring you a night of dance-inflicting good times. Kansas Bible Company just released their latest LP, Paper Moon, back in the summer, and have been tearing up the circuit in support. Major & The Monbacks bring the full on party with their soul inspired dance music. If you are looking to move your ass to some music, this is the show for you. [MH]
COME AS YOU AREN’T ft. DJ RAZE ATLAS
@ ONE | 9pm | $15 | 21+
Hosted in the ONE event space on the third floor of the Mercy Lounge complex, the 4th annual installment of Mercy’s Come As You Aren’t Halloween party is sure to be one of the most dependable events in town. DJ Raze Atlas will be spinning, drinks will be flowing, and a ton of prizes will be given out for various costume criteria. [PO]
HALLOWEEN SUPERJAM ft. THE H.O.A. OH GRANDPA, TAME & THE STRANGE
@ Cobra | 7pm | $5 (Free with costume) | 21+
All dials are set to “rock” for the Halloween Superjam happening over at Cobra (formerly fooBAR). We’re not exactly sure how this one is going to play out with these three rock outfits fitting into a “superjam,” but we know it’s a good chance to check out the new digs on the East Side. And, the price of free with a costume, seems like a guaranteed great Halloween party. [MH]
AMANDA SHIRES w/ LILLY HIATT
@ City Winery | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
There’s been no shortage of chances to catch talented alt-Americana singer-songwriter Amanda Shires around town in recent months, but this weekend’s City Winery show, featuring Lilly Hiatt, is extra special, as it doubles as a celebration for Amanda’s amazing new album, My Piece of Land. It’s no surprise that this intimate event sold out in advance, but those of you lucky enough to have a ticket are in for a real treat! [PO]
STURGILL SIMPSON
@ The Ryman | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Sturgill Simpson‘s sold out Ryman run concludes this Saturday night, for those of you who were able to snag tickets. [MG]
SHELLAC w/ SHANNON WRIGHT
@ The End | 8pm | SOLD OUT | 18+
Nashville, the punk lords have smiled down upon us and given us an appearance from the man himself, Steve Albini. If you already have tickets to this show then you definitely know who Albini is; the impressive resume of albums produced, the list of groundbreaking DIY punk bands he has fronted, and his all around grumpy, yet iconic attitude. This Saturday Shellac, one of his best projects, will take the stage at The End for what is sure to be one hell of a rowdy night. Take advantage of those $2 PBR’s and get there early for opener Shannon Wright, a songwriter from Atlanta who is sure to start the night off just right. [JC]
SUNDAY
DICKERSON SKYLINE DEUX ft. TTOTALS, WATCHER, FOX FUN, SAD BAXTER, BIG SURR, CARTER ROUTH, & MORE!
@ Charlie Bob’s | 2pm | $7 | All Ages
It’s the second installment of the local DIY fest, dubbed Dickerson Skyline, at Charlie Bob’s this Sunday, and it is chock full of rock acts to help you continue your holiday weekend. The event is described by the organizers, “As it was prophesied many centuries ago on giant stone tablets found deep within Nashville’s crust, the time has come for Dickerson to sink deep into the the seventh circle of Hades. Leaving only artisan coffee shops and dagger thin condominiums in its wake. To appease the guardians of the gate, we offer a festival of art and music in their honor.” Keep the gods happy, and head out for what should be a scary fun Sunday funday. [MH]
DOYLE BRAMHALL II w/ FUTURE STUFF
@ City Winery | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Acclaimed guitarist Doyle Bramhall II may not be a name that you know by heart, but folks like Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, Elton John, T-Bone Burnett, Derek Trucks, Sheryl Crow, and Gregg Allman, just to name a few, know that Bramhall is the first call when they are looking for top notch guitar work. Aside from offering assistance to the likes of these legends, Doyle has also dropped a handful of solo records, including Rich Man earlier this year. Of course, in a city like Nashville, legends like Doyle Bramhall II make for hot tickets, and this one has been sold out for a while now. Check out his cover of Hendrix’s classic “Hear My Train A’ Comin” below to get a taste. [MH]
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JC] Julian Ciany
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[MH] Matt Hall
[MW] Meagan Whitney
[PO] Philip Obenschain