TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Feb. 3-5

While the weather may not feel like it is already February, announcements are flooding the calendar for the spring touring season.  That being said, we have plenty to choose from around town this weekend in Music City, at least until Super Bowl Sunday.  We have a star studded visit from a Prairie Home Companion, a few bands that jam, a reggae celebration, a couple of chances to celebrate the record release of a rising star in the local scene, and much more.  Head below for our staff picks in this week’s edition of TWiN.

FRIDAY

RON GALLO
@ Grimey’s  | 6pm | FREE | All Ages

The promotion train has been running high ahead of the highly anticipated New West Records debut of Ron Gallo’s Heavy Meta which drops on Friday.  If you are still in the dark on the recent transplant’s style of unforgiving fuzzed out garage punk, you can stream the record in full right now via Noisey.  You can also check out his live guerilla punk video for “Please Yourself” below, which shows the proper way to entertain tourists on Broadway. He kicks off his release weekend celebration with a free in-store at Grimeys, and it’s a highly recommended way for you to kick off your weekend too.  [MH]

VITA & THE WOOLF w/ FOREST FIRE GOSPEL CHOIR, LAUREN STRANGE & THE PRETTY KILLERS
@ The End | 8pm | $8

Philadelphia-based duo Vita & The Woolf are the brainchild of singer/multi-instrumentalist Jennifer Pague accompanied by drummer Adam Shumski. The combination of operatic vocals with notes of electronic/pop/soul genres creates a unique sound reminiscent of Florence & the Machine and chamber pop bands like Ra Ra Riot. Their raw energy on stage has helped them get booked on many festival bills and now on their own headline tour in support of their forthcoming album Tunnels. They’ll be joined by local roots-rock band Forest Fire Gospel Choir and alt-rock singer/songwriter Lauren Strange & the Pretty Killers. [MG]

ROOTS OF A REBELLION w/ FLORALORIX, CHINESE CONNECTION DUB EMBASSY
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $8-$12 | 18+

Two of the most vital cogs in the Tennessee Reggae movement, Roots of a Rebellion and Floralorix, will be hosting a very special evening of cover tunes to honer the late great Bob Marley a few days before the legend’s birthday. Look for like minded Memphis based collective Chinese Connection Dub Embassy to kick off the festivities, and check back for a full preview ahead of the show. [JR]

MARGARET GLASPY w/ BAD BAD HATS
@ The High Watt | 8pm | SOLD OUT| 18+

Wavering between influences of folk and indie rock, eclectic singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy was met with load of critical acclaim for her debut album, last year’s Emotions and Math. With buzz mounting, it’s no surprise that Glaspy’s High Watt show this weekend with Bad Bad Hats managed to sell out in advance, but if you scored a ticket, you’re in for one of the weekend’s most exciting happenings. [PO]

RAYVON PETTIS, DON GALLARDO & HOW FAR WEST, TIM EASTON, REUBEN BIDEZ
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | 21+

If local folk/indie/country leaning rock is what you’re craving, and cheap is your price range, you can do no better this weekend than Rayvon Pettis, Don Gallardo, Tim Easton, and Reuben Bidez at The Basement. You’ll recognize all of those times from the numerous times we’ve covered them individually; together, they’re an unbelievable showcase of local talent. [PO]

TRUTH w/ Q-BIK, HUSTLE UP, MELT B2B, LUKO
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $15 | 18+

Get ready to get your face melted by bass at Melt The Beast, this Friday at The Basement East! The EDM heavy lineup of producers and DJs boasts New Zealand dubstep duo Truth headlining, Aussie Q-Bik, plus local performer Hustle Up, and more. If you’re a fan electronic dance music, and you’re looking to party you ass off this weekend, this is the show for you. [JR]

STEVE CONN
@ The Family Wash | 9pm | FREE | All Ages

A legend in the realm of music where the blues, folk, and rock all cross-pollinate, Steve Conn will be playing a very, very special show Friday night at The Family Wash. The local hero’s songwriting has been compared to Allen Toussaint or even Townes Van Zandt, and after even a casual listen to his work, you’ll understand why. See for yourself what’s got all the locals all hot and bothered, and don’t spend a dime on cover while you’re at it. [JR]

HEAVY THINGS, NO DICE, JONATHAN CAMPBELL, SEQUOIA MOVEMENT, SEIZER
@ Dad’s Garage | 7pm | All Ages

Ohio alt rock outfit Heavy Things and emo-tinged No Dice are hitting Murfreesboro this weekend to perform at preeminent DIY punk space Dad’s Garage. Rounding out the bill, locals Jonathan Campbell, Sequoia Movement, and Seizer showcase the best of the up and coming underground scene, and make this a solid chance for any fan of emo leaning alternative and pop punk. [PO]

SATURDAY

A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION feat. CHRIS THILE
@ Ryman Auditorium | 4:45pm | $40-$75 | All Ages

Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers member Chris Thile recently took the helm of beloved radio show A Prairie Home Companion from Garrison Keillor after dozens of guest appearances over the years. During this special edition, Nashville fans can enjoy an early show with appearances from Jenny Lewis, Amos Lee and comedian Nate Bargatze. It’s the perfect opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy some stellar music set alongside plenty of old school charm. [LL]

PINK FLOYD APPRECIATION SOCIETY: ANIMALS  40th ANNIVERSARY
@ The Basement  | 9pm | $10-$12 | 21+

Get ready to blast off into outer space, with some Pink Floyd classics, courtesy of the Pink Floyd Appreciation Society. The local collective certainly have chops, and do their absolute best to encapsulate and deliver an experience as authentic to the real Floyd as possible. This performance will be even more special, because it is the 40th anniversary of the seminal concept record Animals, the tenth album from the psych/experimental rock pioneers, and the Appreciation Society will play if start to finish. So catch a buzz and zone out to what one of the weekend’s most unique happenings. [JR]

A NIGHT OF SYMPHONIC HIP HOP ft. NELLY
@ Tennessee Performing Arts Center| 8pm | $40-$150 | All Ages

You’d be hard-pressed to find anything weirder than this show this weekend. St. Louis rapper Nelly is performing his greatest hits alongside a full symphony at TPAC- yes, the mastermind behind “Hot in Herre,” “Ride Wit Me,” and “Dillema” with a full, live symphony. It’s not cheap, but it’s also not something you’ll soon forget. Do we really need to say any more? [MG]

THE DEVIL MAKES THREE w/ LOST DOG STREET BAND
@ The Cannery Ballroom | 8pm | $22.50-$25 | 18+

Americana trio The Devil Makes Three are a Nashville favorite: they’ve opened for Old Crow Medicine Show at Ascend Amphitheater and headlined a show at Cannery Ballroom in 2015, among numerous other performances. Now they’re back in Music City supporting their 2016 album Redemption & Ruin, another successful effort of blending genres like bluegrass, folk, jazz, country, ragtime, and even punk music into songs that will have you dancing all night. Local husband & wife duo Lost Dog Street Band will start off the night. [MG]

RON GALLO w/ THELMA AND THE SLEAZE, REALITY SOMETHING
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $10-$12 | 18+

Even though Ron Gallo has been in Nashville for a couple of years now, it feels like the release of his New West Records debut Heavy Meta is the official stamping of his Music City visa.  The album is packed with his signature garage punk style, and Gallo’s mindful writing style is almost the anti-mirror to the controlled chaos of his live show.  This bill includes local rockers and blog faves Thelma And The Sleaze and Reality Something making this hands down the best local rock bill of the weekend. [MH]

BIG SOMETHING w/ COSMIC SHIFT
@ 12th & Porter | 9pm | $10 | 18+

Rising jam band Big Something is gearing up for a big 2017.  They are set to release their latest LP Tumbleweed on Feb. 24, and have a full slate of dates set up in support of summer stalwarts like Galactic, Robert Randolph, and moe.  They are offering a sneak preview into their rock based, reggae tinged brand of music at 12th & Porter on Saturday night in a special bill that includes openers Cosmic Shift.  Head below to check out the track from their upcoming record which dropped late last year. [MH]

BANDIT, SLOW AND STEADY, PALE LUNGS, EMBRACER, THE STILL SMALL VOICE (RECORD RELEASE)
@ Black Cat Ballroom | 7pm | $5 | All Ages

There’s a musical movement happening right now in Nashville’s dives and DIY spaces, and unless you’re really staying on top of the local scene, there’s a good chance it’s passing you by. A new wave of melodic, ambient indie bands, along with emo, pop punk, and generally more exciting, raw, and earnest acts are bubbling up below the “cool” local establishment. This bill of artists you might not have heard of, at a house venue you might not know exists, is proof of something more important and more overlooked than your view of the current Music City landscape might include (and of course, if you do know this side of the scene, then you know how alive it is right now). Lush indie act Bandit, emo tinged indie rockers Slow and Steady, ambient, post-rock newcomers Pale Lungs, West Virginia’s Embracer, and melodic indie rockers The Still, Small Voice, who are celebrating the release of their new album, serve as a perfect spread and introduction to a side of the local scene we couldn’t be more excited about, and you can catch them all on Saturday for just $5! [PO]

SUNDAY

SALIVA (acoustic) w/ NOLAN NEAL
@ City Winery | 7pm | $18-$25 | All Ages

While few alternatives to the Super Bowl exist this weekend (seriously, the music calendar looks like a graveyard – probably a wise choice against the most watched TV event of the year), Memphis based post-grunge, nu metal rockers Saliva aren’t afraid of going up against a little football, at least not for a special acoustic show at City Winery. Local rocker and former The Voice contestant Nolan Neal will be opening, but let’s be real, if you’re still a Saliva fan, there’s a solid chance you’re probably also a football fan, so you’re not likely to make it to this nu metal nostalgia trip unless you really hate the Patriots AND the Falcons. [JR]

[JR] Jacob Ryan
[LL] Lorie Liebig
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain