TWiN | This Week in Nashville | March 3-5

Whether it’s the SXSW effect or just the start of spring tour season, this weekend is absolutely packed with worthwhile musical happenings, from local favorites, national and international touring acts of all sizes, and more. Whether you’re looking for punk, indie, emo, folk, hip hop, country, electronic, or pop, there’s something that should fit your taste, and a lot of this weekend’s shows are budget-friendly to boot. We’ve done our best to round of the best of what’s happening, so start planning your weekend with our latest edition of TWiN!

FRIDAY

AMY STROUP
@ Grimey’s | 6pm | FREE | All Ages

Singer-songwriter Amy Stroup, who makes up half of the indie/r&b duo Sugar and the Hi-Lows and is part of the Ten out of Tenn songwriting collaborative, is playing a free show at Grimey’s this Friday. Her most recent album, 2015’s Tunnel, was just released as a deluxe edition on vinyl, so this show will be to celebrate its release. If you’re looking for a cool show in an intimate setting, this one’s for you. [MG]

PILL w/ JOCK GANG
@ Third Man Records | 8pm (7pm doors) | $7 | All Ages

You can basically always count on Third Man to curate the best of the best for their Blue Room shows, whether emerging acts, established legends in an intimate setting, or something in between. Brooklyn’s Pill channel elements of post-punk and new wave, emerging from New York’s vibrant DIY scene to amass a run of national buzz for their debut, Convenience. With support from Jock Gang, this is definitely one of those Third Man shows you’ll be excited to brag about having attended a couple years from now. [PO]

FITZ AND THE TANTRUMS w/ BEA MILLER, FOR KING AND COUNTRY, TRYON, WHITNEY WORTZ
@ Marathon Music Works | 7:30pm (6:30pm doors) | $20-$25 | All Ages

LA Based neo soul indie popsters Fitz And The Tantrums return to Nashville this weekend to headline an event with a special message, Suicide Prevention.  They return to Marathon Music Works with a special acoustic benefit for that purpose, and are joined by Bea Miller, For King And Country, Tyron, and Whitney Wortz.  If you are looking for a fun event for a good cause, you really can’t find a better choice this weekend. [MH]

MIDDLE KIDS w/ THE FOXIES, SQUID & WHALE
@ The Basement | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $7-$10 | 21+

Hailing all the way from Sydney, Australia, Middle Kids seem to be sneaking in a stateside tour around SXSW, and we couldn’t be more thrilled about their outing this weekend at The Basement. Having just arrived on the scene last year with dreamy, indie pop single “Edge of Town,” the trio released their eponymous debut EP just a few weeks ago, and, as far as we can tell, this appears to be their first time in Music City. With support from locals The Foxies along with Squid & Whale, this’ll be a great way to welcome a promising rising act to town. [PO]

BIRDTALKER w/ JAKE MCMULLEN
@ Mercy Lounge | SOLD OUT | $10 | 18+

Rising local outfit Birdtalker are back in town, and playing their biggest headlining gig to date at Mercy Lounge this weekend.  You may remember when we premiered their new single “Heavy” from their EP Just This, which dropped earlier this year.  This lineup is rounded out with rising local pop tinged singer-songwriter Jake McMullen, which makes this one of the top local bills of the weekend.  [MH]

JD MCPHERSON w/ DYLAN PRATT
@ The Basement East | 9pm (8pm doors) | $20 | 21+

Oklahoma based rockabilly singer songwriter JD McPherson and his band are bringing their special blend of Americana, owing just as much to the Pixies as Chuck Berry, back to Music City for us all to enjoy. We throughly enjoyed his 2015 release, Let The Good Times Roll, but has been two years, so chances are there’s some new tricks up McPherson’s sleeve. Look for western influenced, singing troubadour Dylan Pratt to kick things off on what promises to be a great night of lyricism and music. [JR]

THE OCEAN PARTY, NO RITUAL, SUMMER PALACE, STEPSONS
@ Blue House | 9pm | Donations | All Ages

Here across the pond from Melbourne, Australia, prolific, jangly indie rock sextet The Ocean Party have released six albums over the last seven years, and are currently touring the globe in support of their latest, Restless. This weekend, for what looks like it might be their first Nashville performance, the group celebrate the start of spring break with a house show at Germantown’s Blue House, with support from locals No Ritual, Summer Palace, and Stepsons. If you plan on checking it out, be sure to bring a few bucks for the touring band, and, as always, be respectful of the space! [PO]

RONNIE MILSAP w/ THE NASHVILLE SYMPHONY
@ Schermerhorn Symphony Center | 8pm | $39-$79 | All Ages

Crossover country legend Ronnie Milsap is still rolling strong, and ready to play a once in a lifetime showcase with a little help from the Nashville Symphony. The legendary piano player was one of country music’s most popular acts of the ’70s and ’80s, and his ability to bend genre has only helped his longevity. Being a six-time Grammy winner never hurts either. If you’ve been a lifelong fan, or you just appreciate masters of the trade, this show should be very high on your list. [JR]

TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
@ The Ryman | 8pm (7pm doors) | SOLD OUT | All Ages

Packing the Mother Church to the gills for the second of three nights, Southern rock ‘n’ roll jammers Tedeschi Trucks Band are back in Nashville in a big way! The only bad news is if you don’t have tickets already to Friday night’s show, you are S.O.L. friends; this puppy is sold out. [JR]

SATURDAY

LITTLE BANDIT
@ Grimey’s | 5pm | FREE | All Ages

Nashville’s Alex Caress has been garnering a lot of hype for his Little Bandit project of late, and for good reason.  His twang drenched soulful songwriting can challenge any of the well established locals, but his roots within the Nashville scene make Little Bandit a rising institution.  His debut LP Breakfast Alone has been garnering a ton of acclaim since its release. You can watch the video for “Bed Of Bad Luck” below to get a taste, before you head to Grimey’s for a FREE in-store. [MH]

THE INSCAPE w/ THE PILLS
@ Radio Cafe | 7pm (6pm doors) | $7

Local psychedelic laced No Country Presents alumni The Inscape are SUPER stoked to finally be dropping their third record, We’re All Wrong. It’s being released on local indie label Cold Lunch Recordings, and it’s been two years in the making, so to celebrate the guys are throwing a “Psychdelic Soiree” (further details here). Look for local psych leaning garage rock five piece The Pills (no relation to Pill, who’s performing at Third Man Friday … see above) to kick of a very heady night of indie. [JR]

MAE w/ OWEL, CONSTELLATIONS
@ 12th & Porter | 8pm (7pm doors) | $20

After an incredibly well-received anniversary run last year celebrating their seminal work The Everglow, beloved alt rock outfit Mae are seemingly asserting plans to remain active, albeit as a trio, likely due to a couple of founding members’ commitments to other projects. Partially based in Nashville, the band return this weekend to play 12th & Porter, on the heels of the release of their first new song in nearly six years (hear it below). If you missed out last year, or you’re ready for another helping, this show, rounded by by New Jersey’s OWEL and locals Constellations is likely to be one of the weekend’s best events. [PO]

LEOPOLD AND HIS FICTION w/ THE HOWLING TONGUES, NICK SWAN, SOUND AND SHAPE
@ The End | 8pm | $10

A wonderful hodge-podge of folk, pure rock, garage and psych, Leopold and His Fiction have been building a strong rep since their inception in 2005. Originally formed as an outlet for frontman Daniel James Leopold, to exercise his Motown muscles from his formative years in Detroit, the band has grown into a full fledge powerhouse, with energy of ’7os-era Stooges with the rhythm and blues of the Motor City spiced in liberally. With like minded brethren like The Howling Tongues on the bill, and the show being held at a punk friendly venue like The End, this is shaping up to be one of the rowdiest bills of the entire weekend. So, if you like to live your life at live shows, especially in the pit, this is a can’t miss. [JR]

CHAD VALLEY w/ KROVI, CHILL WITCH
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $12-$15 | 18+

We’ve been raving about English synthpop/chillwave singer Chad Valley for years now, blown away by his hypnotic 2012 debut, Young Hunger. Valley, the live alias of talented singer Hugo Manuel, returns to headline Exit/In this weekend, still buzzing from his 2015 sophomore effort Entirely New Blue, and the many remixes that have followed. Chad alone would make this show worthwhile, buy paired up with likeminded locals KROVI and Chill Witch, this is THE weekend event for fans of poppy, chilled out, electronic music. [PO]

KALEB D w/ BIG HENRY, CLASSIC WILLIAMS
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm (8pm doors) | $7-$10 | 18+

This weekend is a little light if you’re looking for hip hop shows, but local Kaleb D has you covered with a wallet-friendly bill at Mercy Lounge. Associated with fellow local rapper and labelhead Yelawolf, Kaleb’s southern-infused, fast pace style is super fresh, and he’s keeping it Slumerican with Alabama’s Big Henry and Nashville’s own Classic Williams. Sure to be a fun night! [PO]

CAROLINE SPENCE w/ ROBBY HECHT, LIZ COOPER
@ The Basement | 9pm (8:30pm doors) | $7-$10 | 21+

Caroline Spence is one of the most impressive Nashville transplants in recent years, thanks to her unparalleled songwriting skills and impeccable vocals. With the release of her record Spades & Roses this week, she’s proving her staying power with intricate and intimate story-songs that seem pulled from the vault of 1990s Ryan Adams. Local singer-songwriter Robby Hecht and psych-rocker Liz Cooper act as support for this special album release party. You’ll want to be in attendance, as Spades & Roses will likely be one of the most celebrated Americana albums of 2017. [LL]

TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
@ The Ryman | 8pm (7pm doors) | SOLD OUT | All Ages

Not surprisingly (if you’ve seen them live before you know what we mean) legendary blues rock jammers Tedeschi Trucks Band have sold out the third and final night of their Ryman takeover. If you didn’t get a chance to go see them this go ’round, now you know that they are a hot ticket, and you’ll act faster next time. [JR]

SUNDAY

LEE FIELDS & THE EXPRESSIONS w/ ALANNA ROYALE
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm (7pm doors) | $15-$18 | 18+

Easily one of the top living soul men left in the world today, Lee Fields, plus his stellar backing band The Expressions, are back in Music City and ready to turn the party out. Equal parts soul/funk/r&b, plus James Brown level showmanship, Mr. Fields’ music has been entertaining generations of people over the course of his long career, and after you catch him live, you’ll understand why. Look for friend of the blog, Alanna Royale to kick out the jams to start, and whatever you do, be ready to bust a move at this one. [JR]

 

ALLISON CRUTCHFIELD AND THE FIZZ w/ VAGABON, BIG SURR
@ The East Room | 8:30pm (8pm doors) | $7 | All Ages

Sister to Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield (with whom she also performs as part of the live lineup), former singer of Philly alt/emo outfit Swearin’, and drummer for the recently reunited P.S. Eliot, which began in her native Alabama, the now Philly-based Allison Crutchfield began crafting music under her own name a few years back, and released her full-length, solo debut, Tourist in This Town, back in January through Merge. Her lo-fi, indie pop sound is a bit more laid back than the style of her prior projects, but it’s sure to hook you in with its earnest, hypnotic sensibilities. Rounded out by buzz New York singer Vagabond and local faves Big Surr, this East Room bill is curated by Third Man Records, so you know it’s legit. [PO]

PRINCE DADDY & THE HYENA, JOUSKA, O SUMMER, THE CITY PLANNER
@ MurderHut (Murfreesboro) | 7pm (6pm doors) | $5 | All Ages

Another unbelievable house show option for those who want to keep it cheap, punk, and DIY (and don’t mind venturing to Murfreesboro), New York’s Price Daddy & The Hyena are poppy, garage-drenched party band that are best experienced in these types of spaces. Along with shoegaze-y Albany alt rock outfit Jouska, local southern indie rockers O Summer, and melodic indie solo act The City Planner, to say that this show is worth the $5 cover is an understatement. Seriously, bring some more cash and buy merch from the touring acts, because this is a gem in the weekend showscape. [PO]

THE STAVES w/ MIKAELA DAVIS
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $15 | All Ages

English sisters The Staves may have started off at open mics at their local pub, but they have since caught the attention of critics across the globe.  They also caught the attention of Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, who produced their 2015 LP If I Was, and subsequently took the band out on tour.  Head below to hear a new single that likely hasn’t gotten any radio play in Nashville. [MH]

INDIANOLA, LASSO SPELLS, WELLES
@ The Basement | 8pm | FREE | 21+

At the wonderful price of $free.99, this bill is packed with amazing talent that is well worth heading out on a Sunday night for. Local via Jackson, MS, Americana flavored indie rockers Indianola are headlining, with help from blog favorites Lasso Spells, and Welles. Put it all together, and it almost feels like stealing with this much talent on a free bill. Be there to help support our growing local scene, and know you don’t have to spend all your money to do it. [JR]

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