There are a truckload of cheap, stacked local shows happening this weekend. Seriously, if you’ve been bad about checking out new bands or eager to revisit some old favorites, it seems like just about every small room in town has something awesome going on for under $10, from indie to garage rock to hardcore to pop. Beyond that, there are some alt/early Valentine’s Day happenings (including a very special Punk Prom with a stacked Smiths cover supergroup), classic hip hop, a few touring favorites, and more, making this, once again, another weekend with something for just about everyone. Per usual, we’ve run down our top picks in our latest This Weekend in Nashville.
FRIDAY
SKYWAY MAN
@ Grimey’s| 6pm | FREE | All Ages
We’ve been telling you about the latest reincarnation of heady folkster James Wallace via his new Skyway Man project for a while now, teasing singles and videos as the debut album approached. This Friday marks the official release date of Seen Comin’ From A Mighty Eye, and the celebration weekend starts off with a free in-store by longtime Wallace supporters Grimey’s. We, who are also long time Wallace supporters, highly recommend that you make it out to this happy hour extraordinaire, which features an awesome intimate all ages atmosphere with beerfreshments to those of age. [MH]
A NIGHT OF YK RECORDS ft. SKYWAY MAN, LITTLE BANDIT, BIRDCLOUD, KINDERCASTLE, MYSTERY TWINS, & MORE
@ Mercy Lounge & The High Watt | 7pm | $10 | 18+
While YK Records may be a newish name in your local lexicon, the brains behind the operation have long been buried in Nashville’s thriving underground music scene. In a celebration of the official release of the above mentioned Skyway Man’s debut along with Little Bandit’s much anticipated Breakfast Alone, this two stage event celebrates all that is going right in the local scene these days. Throw in the indomitable Birdcloud, a Kindercastle reunion, and long awaited set from Mystery Twins, and more, and this event becomes, without a doubt, one of the best ways to support local music this weekend in Music City. [MH]
MUSIQ SOULCHILD w/ LYFE JENNINGS, KINDRED THE FAMILY SOUL, & MORE
@ Nashville Municipal Auditorium | 8pm | $47-$75 | All Ages
Fans of r&b and soul music rejoice, because the Nu Soul Revival tour is stopping in on Music City just in time to make your pre Valentine’s Day weekend shine. Let the incredible Musiq Soulchild, singer-songwriter Lyfe Jennings, married performing duo kindred The Family Soul, and many more serenade you and someone you love. This might be your best bet for a romantic night of music that is sure to make him/her feel very special, don’t miss it! [JR]
JUSTIN FURSTENFELD (of BLUE OCTOBER)
@ City Winery | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
If you were hoping to catch a night of intimate acoustic songs from Justin Furstenfeld (of alt rock outfit Blue October) and you don’t already have tickets, we are sorry to inform you that is puppy is SOLD OUT. Call in some favors if you can, but if you can’t don’t worry; this is Music City, so there’s always other shows to choose from. [JR]
LUKR w/ THE FOXIES, KAPTAN
@ The End | 8pm | $5 | 18+
The new solo vehicle for Farewell Flight frontman and local songwriter and producer Luke Foley, Lukr is self-described “neon grunge pop,” employing the pop hooks, synth sounds, and layered production Foley has adopted in his work with other artists, fused with his more conventional rock and roll background. After a buzzworthy introduction with a series of a well-received tracks since last year, Lukr is celebrating the release of his new Heartbreak Mixtape with The Foxies and Kaptan, two other Nashville artists you should absolutely be paying attention to, this weekend at The End; you won’t find a better local bill for the price this weekend. [PO]
SATURDAY
SHE’S A REBEL! A GIRL GROUP TRIBUTE SHOW
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 7pm | $12-$15 | 18+
The third annual She’s A Rebel showcase couldn’t have come at a better time, what with the country currently being run by what some people – not saying who – would consider an unqualified, oversized human Cheeto. This year’s event will celebrate the important legacy of women of color in the 1950s and ’60s that helped define the sound of popular music, but still remain largely overlooked. The group show a house band made up of talented local musicians, like drummer Tiffany Minton (Adia Victoria) and bassist Laura Taylor (Take The Power Back), and a rotating cast of vocal performers like Becca Mancari and Birdcloud, just to name a few, and to top it all off, all proceeds will benefit Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp & National Museum of African American Music. That’s what I call girl power!! [MG]
NASHVILLE IS THE REASON PUNK ROCK PROM ft. LOUDER THAN BOMBS, CRUCIAL BROS
@ The Basement East | 8pm | $5-$10 | 21+
As we already told you about in detail, our pals Nashville Is The Reason are expanding their typical punk, emo, and indie DJ night to the main venue at The Basement East this month for an extra special Punk Rock Prom, where, heavy on ’80s tunes, the NITR DJs and special guests will be joined by Smiths cover band Louder Than Bombs (featuring members of Saves The Day, Bayside, and more) and ’80s cover band Crucial Bros. Whether you’re in the mood for a punk-flavored Valentine’s Day hang, or you just want to check out some great music, this is a lot of bang for your buck, and a portion of proceeds will go to benefit Planned Parenthood. [PO]
WHODINI w/ BIG DADDY KANE, SLICK RICK, & MORE
@ Nashville Municipal Auditorium | 8pm | $31-$75 | All Ages
Dust off those classic hip hop records from the ’80s and early ’90s, and if you weren’t born until well after the birth of hip hop, get acquainted with pioneers in the genre who deserve just as much love as Biggie and Tupac as well as the greats of today. For the second night in a row, Nashville Municipal Auditorium welcomes a spectacular show, this time featuring hip hop group Whodini, the incomparable Big Daddy Kane, plus Slick Rick the ruler and many more! Old school hip hop fans already know, but if you want to get your proper musical education, and connect to the golden era of rap, you need to be at this show. [JR]
THE AQUADUCKS
@ Acme Feed & Seed | 8:15pm | FREE | 21+
Mainstays in No Country playlist and coverage (read this post), funky party starters The Aquaducks will be playing a 100% FREE live show at Acme this weekend that you should probably have in your life. We know times can be tough money-wise, and with Trump as President, things could get worse before they get better, so what better time to take in a free live show and remember why life’s worth living. Keep fighting the good fight, and continue to support local music. [JR]
CHARLIE & THE EVIL MOTHERS w/ CODY BROOKS, KILLER EYES, MACHETE, OGINALII
@ The Basement | 8pm | $5 | 21+
The brainchild of frontman Charlie Shea, who you may recognize from his former project MELK, Charlie & The Evil Mothers adopts a timeless, artsy, avant-punk style and versatility that definitely makes Charlie an artist you need to keep an eye on. Rounded out by Cody Brooks, Killer Eyes, Machete, and Oginalli, this bill averages to $1 a band, and they’re all great; can’t argue with that. [PO]
MASHA w/ DAPHNE WILLIS, KOYOKE
@ The High Watt | 8:30 pm | $7 | 18+
No Country Presents alum Masha is set to continue forward with all the momentum she amassed last year, with help from a kickass low dough show at The High Watt. The alt pop performer who dabbles in too many genres to mention, has an amazing live show and if you haven’t see her already do yourself a favor and check her out Saturday. For just seven bones you also get Daphne Willis, plus Koyoke, but only if you get to the venue on time. Don’t miss a minute of any of their sets. [JR]
NO ONE GIVES A SHIT ABOUT VALENTINES DAY: PUNK ROCK PROM ft. THE STUMMIES, EL ESCAPADO
@ The End | 9pm | $10 | 18+
This is the perfect event for all the other misanthropes out there who think Valentine’s Day is a total crock, and/or for those who love ’80s punk/pop/new wave. Austin-based band The Stummies chose this to be the one show that they’ll play all year, so that’s something special and worth checking out. Local punk band El Escapado will open the show with an entirely ’80s punk set. And be sure to dig out your best all-black outfit, because prizes will be given out to the best dressed king and punk queen. [MG]
DEAD CURES, CRACK MAMMOTH, BASIC PRINTER
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | 21+
Another trio of great local artists at a price that won’t dent your wallet, you should definitely be familiar with alt pop rock trio Dead Cures if you regularly read this site. Joining them at The 5 Spot (for a show seemingly squeezed in between two others) are indie outfit Crack Mammoth and electro/indie pop project Basic Printer, who’ll be dropping a new EP early. [PO]
JUSTIN COLLINS
@ The 5 Spot | 11:30pm | 21+
Best known lately his band Justin & the Cosmics as well as his impressive production credits, local rocker Justin Collins harbors as eclectic sound that navigates influences of grunge, surf, folk, indie rock, and more. Catching him in town is not a hard feat, but if you’re looking for some late night Saturday fun, he’ll be holding it down at the end of the night at The 5 Spot. [PO]
LOW MASS, EARLY HUMANS, KHAMSIN
@ That 70’s House | 7pm | $5
Though, so far, they’ve only released one track, we’re already 1000% on board with local newcomers Low Mass‘s angsty, grungy, melodic and emotionally resonate indie punk. This weekend, you can catch the band in a space they’re meant to be experienced – a house show – along with poppy, indie, emo-tinged college rockers Early Humans and ambient post-rockers Khamsin. [PO]
SUNDAY
G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $25-$99 | All Ages
Legendary Philadelphia alternative hip hop and blues rocker G. Love, plus his backing band Special Sauce will be spreading the love in Music City at 3rd & Lindsley this Sunday, and we think it has the potential to be one of the top shows of the entire weekend. Always a crowd favorite, look for G. Love to preach his message of peace and understanding, while also hamming it up a bit, as he’s known to do. Tickets to the show and a special pre-show warmup party are still available, but act quickly, because this one has a high potential to sell out. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. [JR]
IAN FERGUSON w/ THE MINKS, KRISTEN REILLY, MICROWAVE MOUNTAIN
@ The Basement | 8pm | $5 | 21+
The amount of cheap, good local shows this weekend is kind of absurd; seriously Nashville, if you don’t take this as an opportunity to brush up on some bands you haven’t gotten around to checking out yet, or to revisit some favorites, you’re doing it wrong. Formerly of The Kingston Springs, Ian Ferguson has been cultivating quite an impressive solo career of his own over the past year, and even played our Acme showcase early on. Joined by The Minks, Kristen Reilly, and Microwave Mountain, this stacked show is as good an excuse as any to get sweaty and drunk on cheap bear in the old Basement. [PO]
TURNCOAT, DEATH CARD, IDLE THREAT, KNUCKLE DRAGGER
@ The East Room | 7pm
Being a Nashville fan of hardcore means often, there’s not as many weekend happenings to satisfy your taste. Fortunately, this weekend, The East Room is playing host to Michigan’s Turncoat, who draw influence from the ’80s golden era of the scene. Joining them in local support are Nashville hardcore outfit Dearth Card, post-hardcore group Idle Threat, and grind/hardcore/metal band Knuckle Dragger, making this perhaps the most mosh worthy East Room show we’ve ever seen. [PO]
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain