TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Dec. 2-4

With Thanksgiving in the rearview, the end of the year seems amazingly close, so, before the Christmas holiday pretty much shuts down the music scene, you should take advantage of a bevvy of shows happening around town this weekend.  We have a ton of locals returning home for the holidays from lengthy tours, as well as a number of high profile national touring acts, so there is a little something for everyone this weekend.  Head below to check out all of our staff picks in this week’s edition of TWiN.

FRIDAY

KID FREUD
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm | FREE | All Ages

Kid Freud have been on our radar for a bit, and they made waves in Music City with their late run into the finals of this year’s Road to Roo competition. This week, they caught the attention of Lightning 100, who have them dubbed as the Local Artist of the Week, which means Kid Freud will perform a free set at Soulshine Pizza Factory on Friday night.  Have a listen to the track you’ve been hearing all week on the radio, and head out out for the perfect happy hour. [MH]

THE WILD FEATHERS
@ Ernest Tubb Record Shop | 8pm | Free w/ purchase | All Ages

We already told you about this incredible opportunity to catch The Wild Feathers at a local institution to help them celebrate the release of the live record from their recent performance at The Ryman.   We can only imagine how hard it is for long-time Nashville mainstay Ernest Tubb Record Shop to survive in the ever bustling downtown Nashville, and The Wild Feathers are just one of a few major players to help them raise money to keep the doors open. Admission is free with the purchase of Live At The Ryman and one item from Ernest Tubb’s, but that is well worth the price of this once in a lifetime opportunity. [MH]

THE DEAD DEADS
@ The Lipstick Lounge | 7:30 pm | $7 | 21+

No strangers to No Country coverage (read this post), local alt rock goth babes The Dead Deads have returned home to Nashville after three months on the road. Be there in person to welcome back the Music City rockers, and stick around after the show for some of the best karaoke in town. Can’t go wrong! [JR]

MIKE GORDON
@ The Cannery Ballroom | 8pm | $25 | 18+

We’ve been hyping this one for weeks, and even gave you chance at free tickets (read this post), and now it’s nearly time to rock out with Phish’s bass player Mike Gordon, as he tours in support of his solo efforts. You can expect a full preview for this one, so stay tuned for that, and jump on tickets while you still can, because this one has the potential to sell out for sure. Anytime a legend stops in on Music City it’s a hot ticket, so don’t sleep on this show! [JR]

SMOOTH HOUND SMITH w/ CORY BRANAN, WILLIAM WILD
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $12-$14 | 18+

Soulful, rootsy local Americana duo Smooth Hound Smith are capping off their biggest year yet, which included a spot opening for Dixie Chicks at Bridgestone Arena, with an Exit/In show hosted by Lightning 100. Making things even more enticing are alt-country leaning singer-songwriter Cory Branan and No Country Presents alum William Wild, for one of the best local bills of the weekend. [PO]

THE WHISTLES & THE BELLS w/ KID KIMONO
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm | $10 | 18+

The local, eclectic musical vehicle of former Cadillac Sky frontman Bryan Simpson, The Whistles & The Bells are an artist we’ve had our eye on since practically day one. The project’s self-titled, full-length debut in 2014 wowed us, and we’re eagerly anticipating their followup, which will presumably arrive next year. Hard to pin down, the group combine elements of americana, folk, rock, blues, and more, and their live show is every bit as compelling and diverse and their recordings. This is the band’s last show of the year, and new project Kid Kimono will open things up. [PO]

QUICHENIGHT w/ THELMA AND THE SLEAZE, EVAN P. DONOHUE, TEDDY & THE ROUGH RIDERS
@ Charlie Bob’s | 9pm | $7-$10 | All Ages

Ringing the bell at the top of the awesome scale, our friends at Cold Lunch Recordings have put together a rock bill of epic local proportions at Dickerson Ave hang Charlie Bob’s on Friday night.  The show is in support of Quichenight’s official cassette release of Camille’s Market, and, for an extra $3 at the door, you can score a copy of your own.  This show is supported by blog faves like femme rockers Thelma And The Sleaze, long time garage popster Evan P. Donohue, and twang rockers Teddy & The Rough Riders.  If you are looking for an underground hang of incredible music, this is your spot.  [MH]

SATURDAY

THE WILD FEATHERS
@ Ernest Tubb Record Shop | 8pm | Free w/ purchase | All Ages

The third and final night of The Wild Feathers‘ 3-day residency at Ernest Tubb Record Shop in celebration of their Live At The Ryman album release takes place on Saturday night.  You can get into the event with the purchase of the record and an additional item from the record shop, which really just sounds like the most awesome holiday shopping experience ever.  With the band performing a different set each night, there’s no reason not to go to all three. [MH]

CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN w/ THE WORN FLINTS
@ Marathon Music Works | 8pm | $22-$25 | 18+

Postponed from October, British indie rockers Catfish and the Bottlemen will finally make their highly-anticipated return to town this weekend in support of buzzy sophomore album, The Ride. Their second Nashville show this year and largest headliner to date, as their presence only continues to grow thanks to their thick, hook-laden, no bs rock and roll sound. The Worn Flints open, and tickets are still available while they last! Head here for more details. [PO]

STRFKR w/ GIGAMESH, PSYCHIC TWIN
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $16-$23 | 18+

It’s been a few years since Portland, OR based indie rockers STRFKR were last in town, but they return on Saturday night supporting the release of their latest Being No One, Going Nowhere, which dropped in early Nov. via Polyvinyl.  The album is drenched in danceable, synth driven hooks, as you can tell when you start tapping your toes to the new single “Open Your Eyes” below.   They are touring with highly acclaimed, Minneapolis-based producer Gigamesh and psychedelic electro-pop label mates Psychic Twin.  Need a buzzy show?  Here you go. [MH]

R.LUM.R w/ PHANGS, CAMM
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $10-$12 | 18+

A must-know name in the buzzing local pop scene, R.LUM.R‘s soulful, synth-heavy, atmospheric blend of r&b and pop is unparalleled, and he seems seriously destined for huge things. Catch him while you can still playing The High Watt, with a stellar local lineup of PHANGS (the new pop project form Cardboard Kids’ Jake Germany) and Memphis rapper CAMM. [PO]

STAGOLEE w/ AWAS, NATCHEZ TRACERS, JUSTIN KALK ORCHESTRA
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5-$7 | 21+

Local mainstays, and old timey blues rockers Stagolee are headlining a very tasty low dough show this weekend at the OG Basement, and if you want live music in your life, but can’t afford to spend much of your Christmas shopping money, this is the event for you. Look for electro-pop performers AWAS (read this post), cosmic country/funk outfit Natchez Tracers, and the always shreddy Justin Kalk Orchestra to round out this super eclectic bill. All this great local music for under a ten spot? You’d be crazy to miss it. [JR]

TYLER BRYANT & THE SHAKEDOWN w/ THE WANS
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $12-$15 | 18+

If you miss the days when loud, in your face, guitar driven rock n’ roll ruled the scene, then you’ll want to make sure you are The Basement East on Saturday.  Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown return to Nashville, led by arguably one of the most talented young guitarists in the business today.  They’ll be joined by long time friends of the blog The Wans, who have spent a bunch of time on the road in support of their latest EP Run Baby Run, and 99.9% of the time they put on an absolutely devastating show. [MH]

SUNDAY

RUBY AMANFU & FRIENDS
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm | $12 | All Ages

Ruby Amanfu takes over the Nashville Sunday Night duties with a listing of “friends” for a show benefitting MusiCares that is worthy of the serious consideration.  The soulful neo-blues chanteuse will be joined by instrumental crushers Steelism, Pat Sansone (Wilco / Autumn Defense), Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket), Vanessa Carlton, John McCauley & Robbie Crowell (Deer Tick), Langhorne Slim, Katie Herzig, Butterfly Boucher, Sam Brooker (Sam And Ruby) and more.  Needless to say, this is lined up to be a really special evening, and, frankly, it’s amazing that this didn’t sell out 10 minutes after it was announced.  Grab your tickets now, because it’s a good chance they’ll be gone at the door. [MH]

KARL DENSON’S TINY UNIVERSE w/ SOUTHERN AVENUE
@ City Winery | 8pm | $20-$28 | All Ages

This is yet another show we’ve been eagerly anticipating, and one we ran a contest for as well (read this post). Sunday, Sunday, Sunday … get ready to blast off with Karl Denson and his Tiny Universe, as they take you a funk heavy, jam based exploratory mission amongst the auditory cosmos. With help from Memphis based roots rockers Southern Avenue in the warm-up spot, you’re going to a get a lot of bang for your buck. So we’ll be hoping to see you there, at one of our most highly anticipated shows of the weekend. [JR]

THE BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA w/ MARK W. WINCHESTER
@ The Ryman | 7:30 pm | $49.50-$65 | All Ages

For the thirteenth year in a row, The Brian Setzer Orchestra are on the road, and bringing the masses the Christmas cheer we all so desperately need in 2016. SiriusXM is proud to present the “Christmas Rocks” tour, featuring all your classic favorites, redefined in the key of rock ’n’ roll. Bring the whole family to this all ages show, and sing along as you head bang to holiday hits in the Mother Church of country Music. [JR]

STEALING OCEANS w/ IAN FERGUSON, DYLAN MCDONALD & THE AVIANS
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | 21+

Yet another low cost, high quality local bill, Stealing Ocean is the musical alias of hip hop artist Brian Thompson, whose willingness to embrace pop influences, subvert expectations, and weave between a bevy of genres and influences makes him one of the most interesting up and coming performers in town. Former Kingston Springs frontman Ian Ferguson brings a different dynamic to the bill, and Dylan McDonald & The Avians start things off with their eclectic flavor of rock. [PO]

[JR] Jacob Ryan
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain