TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | March 31-April 2

As the calendar rolls into April (seriously, this year is flying by), and the temperature heats up, another great, busy weekend of music is happening around town. There’s a smattering of great and local pop, indie rock, punk, electronic, folk, and more, housed in clubs and DIY spaces, with many shows priced at just a few dollars. This weekend also boasts tons of great touring bands big and small, new and old, offering punk and indie on the rise, buzzworthy hip hop, revivalist ska, classic rock, and so much more. Whether you’re looking for a pop party, a hardcore show, a tribute to ’70s punk, record release shows, or even free fun like Edgehill Rocks, you’re sure to find some music you love in our latest edition of This Weekend in Nashville.

FRIDAY

IDLE BLOOM
@ Third Man Records | 5pm | FREE | All Ages

With the recent release of their fantastic debut full-length, Little Deaths, grungy, poppy, local group Idle Bloom are a band you should have an eye on now more than ever. While there’s been no shortage of recent chances to see the group, who formed a few years ago out of the ashes of another project we loved, Fancytramp, this free, in-store outing at Third Man Records feels like an excellent way to kick off your weekend on a high note. [PO]

BIG JESUS w/ LOW MASS, OVERWATCHER
@ The End | 8pm | $10-15 | 18+

Part of a recent crop of bands with an unabashed love for ’90s alternative, Atlanta’s Big Jesus last passed through as the unlikely openers for pop punks Good Charlotte. This time around, the melodic, riff heavy rockers are headlining, set to perform this weekend at more appropriately sized space The End with two buzzworthy locals with similar genre-bending, heavy-leaning appeal- Low Mass and Overwatcher. Three excellent bands on the rise, this is a top weekend bet for anyone who wants to be ahead of the curve, and who wants to see an under the radar rock show with some range. [PO]

XENIA RUBINOS w/ THE NEW RESPECTS
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10-12 | 18+

Funky and visionary songwriter and singer Xenia Rubinos caught the attention of the blogosphere with the release of her 2013 debut Magic Trix, which vividly introduced us to her version of soul with a punk attitude.  She returned last year with her followup, Black Terry Cat, which sees the artist veer into an electronic inspired version of soul drenched hip hop, almost as though she spent a weekend scatting with Erykah Badu,  Digable Planets’ Ladybug Mecca, and TuNe YaRdS.  The result is a jaw-droppingly beautiful album that reels the listener further in with each passing track.  Nashville’s rising soul rockers The New Respects are celebrating the recent release of their own EP, Here Comes Trouble, and will be the perfect appetizer for this musical delicacy. [MH]

CAPPA, PHENIX, MEAUX
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $20 | 18+

Fresh off a buzzed about turn at SXSW, and fueled by the hype surrounding her latest EP, last year’s Queen of Hearts, breakout pop songstress CAPPA seems well on the path to superstardom, and she’s stopping off to play a hometown headlining show this weekend at Exit/In on her way. Billed as a “Female Pop Storm,” and sponsored by women empowerment organization TEN, this show also features likeminded locals Phenix and Meaux, making it an excellent exhibition for what makes the current Nashville pop scene so special. If you haven’t seen CAPPA in awhile, you’ll definitely want to peep how her live show has evolved; it’s stellar. [PO]

RUNWAY w/ KIRBY BROWN
@ Fond Object | 7:30pm | FREE | All Ages

We know the spring is in the air when the cool sounds of rock music fill the air of Inglewood, and that is, more often than not, coming from the backyard of local hang Fond Object Records.  Tonight they welcome Runway, which is a side project of Dovetail’s Philip Creamer, who we last saw destroying the vocals at Misty Marathon Hop.  He’ll be joined by local roots rocker Kirby Brown.  It’s a BYOB affair, and a perfect way to start off your weekend. [MH]

THE PUKES, JOLLYS, NEGRA, MOUTH READER
@ Blackbird Tattoo & Gallery | 8pm | $7 | All Ages

In the absence of many of our beloved house venues and DIY spaces that have recently shuttered (or, in the case of Drkmttr, are in the delayed process of reopening), Blackbird Tattoo has recently emerged as a welcome and necessary space for inclusive, underground, all ages DIY shows. This lineup of Milwaukee surf punks The Pukes, Chicago garage punks Jollys, and complimentary local acts NEGRA and Mouth Reader was originally slated to take place at Drkmttr, but as that showspace updates to meet codes, we’re glad to see it found another home. Any chance to see cool touring bands in a DIY space for a few bucks is a worthy weekend decision, as far as we’re concerned. [PO]

SUPERDUPERKYLE w/ COUSIN STIZZ
@ Third Man Records | 9pm (8pm doors) | $25 | 18+

Our usual spiel of “any show in Third Man Records’ Blue Room is a show worth seeing” aside, the fact that rising rapper SuperDuperKyle is stopping by on his tour with Cousin Stizz is especially cool. Harboring a strong affinity for the ’80s, the west coast rapper, who also simply goes by KYLE, made a splash with his 2013 debut Beautiful Loser, and by 2015 followup Smyle, was topping “best new artist” lists left and right. He’s collaborated with the likes of Chance the Rapper and G-Eazy, and with a major label debut on the way, this might be the last chance to see him in such an intimate space in Music City. [PO]

MOM & DAD w/ QUICHENIGHT, SOFT OPTION
@ Little Harpeth Brewing | 8pm | $7-10 | 21+

Local garage pop punk staples Mom & Dad are super stoked to be releasing their latest offering, I Am, Therefore I is, on cassette, and you can snag your copy with the $10 price of admission to this show. The release party/performance is going down at Little Harpeth Brewing, and with help from Pujol’s Brett Rosenberg’s other hustle Quichenight, and Soft Option in the warm-up spots, it promises to be a banger. That’s a lot of multifaceted garage/alt rock for just a ten spot, and if you’re into that scene, you’ d be nuts to miss this one! [JR]

COCO HAMES
@ Grimey’s | 6pm | FREE | All Ages

Coco Hames was a staple in the Nashville scene when No Country first started scribbling on scribes in the late ’00s.  Of course, by that time, the powerful frontwoman of The Ettes was kicking ass and taking names in underground scenes across the country.  With the unfortunate dissolution of The Ettes, Coco spent the last year working on her debut self-titled solo record that sees the talented artist throwing a little alt-country spice on the sound that you know and love.  She’ll be back in town Friday to celebrate the release with a free in-store at Grimeys, and this is the perfect way to kick off your weekend. [MH]

A TRIBUTE TO 70s PUNK: J. MARCO, ERIC STUART BAND, MOLLY ROCKET, ATTICUS SWARTWOOD, SASHA AARON, GRACIE MCGRAW, JAKE OHLBAUM, MOTE, BENJAMIN BOGUE, PET ENVY, CHARLIE & THE EVIL MOTHERS, MR. ATOMIC, & MORE
@ The Basement | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $5-7 | 21+

We typically don’t cover all of the tribute nights that have been sweeping Music City of late, but this one caught our attention.  Recent No Country Presents Alum J. Marco is hosting a bevy of local artists to bring you the best of ’70s era punk in an event titled This Could Be Your Life.  There’s no telling what you could hear but we would expect a heavy dose of the Sex Pistols, Ramones, The Clash, The Stooges, and more.  This has the potential to be one of those nights that you are telling friends about for months to come. [MH]

COMMONER, CAT CASUAL, THE CHEWERS, CHLOROPHYLL
@ The East Room | 9pm | $5

Droning, ambient, instrument post-rock/doom group Commoner are a dense, hypnotizing local project. Performing at The East Room with a bunch of other cool bands whose names all happen to begin with C, just $5 also gets you the droning, psyched out sounds of Kentucky’s Cat Casual, experimental/avant-garde local rockers The Chewers, and the debut of new project Chlorophyll, an incredibly cool bill at the DIY friendly East Room. If you’re craving something artsy, weird, and off the beaten path, this is it. [PO]

THE MIDDLE GROUND w/ LAUREL & THE LOVE IN, DILLY POWER
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm (8pm doors) | $8-10 | 18+

The Middle Ground have been working the Nashville scene for a few years now, and just released their sophomore album, Start Again, in December of last year.  You’ve probably heard their melodic, layered guitar driven indie rock on Lightning 100, and, if you haven’t you should get familiar immediately.  The band will be joined on Friday night along with Laurel & The Love In and Dilly Power for what should be dubbed the best of what’s next in Music City. [MH]

STELLE AMOR, DORAN DANOFF, EMMA HERN, ASHLEY LEONE
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $5 | 21+

Topping off a No Country presents alumni heavy bill, powerful/soul singer Stelle Amor (read this) is ready to wow audiences with her powerful vocals and amazing backing band. Indie rock/jazz performer Doran Danoff (read this), plus Emma Hern, and r&b performer Ashley Leone (read this) help to make this bill one of the most staked of the entire weekend. At just five beans, it’s also one of the cheapest, so being broke is no excuse; get out there and see some live music. [JR]

SCARFACE, 8 BALL AND MJG, TRICK DADDY, BUN B, MYSTIKAL, JUVENILE, PROJECT PAT
@ Nashville Municipal Auditorium | 8pm | $31-$99 | All Ages

Nashville, get ready to welcome to our fair city some titans of the rap game. The Legends of Southern Hip Hop tour is back at Nashville Municipal Auditorium and packing a punch! With the things he did as a member of the Houston, TX group Geto Boys, Scarface‘s contributions to the genre stretch back to the golden age, and a solo career followed into the aughts. He will be accompanied by other HUGE names in southern hip hop like Memphis’ 8 Ball, MJG, Project Pat, Miami’s Trick Daddy, fellow Houstonian Bun B, No Limit Soldier Mystikal, and New Orleans legend Juvenile. For fans of hip hop, need we say more? [JR]

SATURDAY

WATERFALL WASH w/ SAD BAXTER, LAWNDRY
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $7-10 | 18+

Celebrating the release of their brand new (and pretty amazing) EP, Become What You See, our pals Waterfall Wash are headlining The High Watt this weekend, and just $10 gets you a copy of the record with admission. We’ve been talking about Waterfall Wash for years now, but if you somehow still haven’t gotten hip to the group, it’s a better time than ever, as the sound they’ve been tinkering with has culminated in a stellar, poppy indie rock that we can’t get enough of. Sad Baxter and Lawndry, two other local favorites, have been tapped to support, making this a definite slice of the best of what’s happening in town right now. [PO]

EVERYONE LEAVES, HOUSEHOLD, BEER HEAD, WASTE, BOGUES
@ That 70s House | 7pm | $7 | All Ages

Of the several awesome, all ages, DIY show options happening this weekend, this lineup at house show space That 70s House might be our top pick. Ohio alt/emo outfit Everyone Leaves, who we’ve told you about before, are a must-know for fans of emotional, poppy, punk and indie rock, and Minnesota melodic punks Household strike a similar chord. The local support is just as strong (and would be a worthy show alone), with earnest, indie punks Beer Head, hardcore outfit Waste, and stripped down alt/emo singer Bogues. Seriously, that’s a hell of a lineup. Ask a punk for the address. [PO]

CLØVER ft. DJ RUSS MACKLIN, PHANGS, ANNALIA
@ Secret Location | 9pm | $7 | 21+

If you’re looking for a place to dance the night away to Nashville’s best pop music, lace up your tennis shoes and get ready for CLØVER. This time around, the party will feature DJ Russ Macklin, who’s back to spin some great jams, along with local pop acts PHANGS, Annalia and maybe even a surprise guest. It’s all going down at a secret location, which will be revealed by email after you RSVP here. [LL]

BACKUP PLANET w/ THE HEAVY PETS
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10-12 | 18+

Resident improvisational funk outfit Backup Planet have been creating some extra buzz around town as of late. Already fixture’s in our local scene, they seem to be catching on with a broader audience, as they were recently announced to be part of Bonnaroo 2017’s Club Stage line-up. Helping there cause is a new record, Reactions, dropping this weekend, and an accompanying release show with The Heavy Pets. It’s always nice to catch a popular band at the “ground level,” so don’t miss yet another opportunity to be able to say, “I saw them before they were big,” and help the area scene flourish in the process. [JR]

SUNDAY

ESKIMEAUX w/ BOYSCOTT
@ Third Man Records | 8pm (7pm doors) | $10 | All Ages

Third Man is on fire this weekend. Following an exciting in-store from Idle Bloom and a great hip hop show with SuperDuperKyle, the house Jack White built will welcome Eskimeaux, the indie pop vehicle of Brooklyn’s Gabrielle Smith, for a Sunday night show with breezy local indie transplants Boyscott. For a decade now, Smith has been releasing a prolific stream of music under the Eskimeaux moniker, navigating the waters lo-fi bedroom pop, experimental, electronic, ambient, and noise music, before settling on the pleasant, enchanting, poppy, and sometimes folky flavor of indie that has made up her recent work. Live, Eskimeaux performs with a full band, and we can’t recommend enough this chance to see them in such a cool space. [PO]

STACKED LIKE PANCAKES w/ BAD ACTING, REGULAR OF THE OBSCENE, LOBBY LANGUAGE
@ The End | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $8-10 | 18+

If you’ve been with us for awhile, you might already know our unabashed love for third wave ska and ska punk, a scene that has all but died since it’s ’90s heyday, save for a few massively successful holdovers who’ve stuck around. A large part (or symptom?) of ska’s decline is a lack of young bands pushing the genre into a new era, or winning over new fans, and that’s why we’re thrilled to see relative newcomers Stacked Like Pancakes gaining a lot of recent traction. They’ve got the silly name, the lighthearted demeanor, and the love for both punk and classic ska, finding a sound in line with greats like Reel Big Fish, but also a contemporary flair not a far shot from acts like twenty one pilots. “Fourth wave ska” isn’t clearly defined yet, but it feels like these guys are part of it, or at least a stopgap in helping usher it in, and if you’re a ska fan at all, their show this weekend at The End with Bad Acting, Regular of the Obscene, and Lobby Language is a must-see. [PO]

SOMETHING MORE, CHRIS SWARTZ, DOGS IN SLOW MOTION, NEW THREADS, FAITH HOLT
@ Dad’s Garage (Murfreesboro) | 7pm | $5 | All Ages

Yet another great cheap, all ages, DIY house show, this one in popular and much-appreciated Murfreesboro space Dad’s Garage, Baltimore’s Something More play a pretty straight up, fun flavor of energetic pop punk, fellow Baltimore artist Chris Swartz adopts an acoustic, emo-tinged pop punk bent, and Atlanta’s Dogs in Slow Motion play piano-infused, alt/punk rock. Rounded out by locals New Threads and Faith Holt, you get five great artists for $1 a piece; that’s just favorable math, y’all. [PO]

BRAHMS V. RADIOHEAD: A SYMPHONIC MASH-UP EXPERIENCE
@ Schermerhorn Symphony Center | 7:30pm | $32-84 | All Ages

In what promises to be one of the most truly unique, and enjoyable listening experiences you could possibly have (especially if you’re a fan of Radiohead) the Nashville Symphony will mash-up classical German composer Brahm’s First with songs from legendary Radiohead record OK Computer. Tracks like “Paranoid Android,” “Karma Police,” and “Subterranean Homesick Alien,” will be performed as a full orchestra (with a vocalists) and effortlessly blended into one of the greatest symphonies ever written. If you didn’t manage to get tickets to see Radiohead in Atlanta this weekend, this sounds like a worthy replacement, and is sure to be a once in a lifetime experience! [JR]

STRAND OF OAKS w/ ROADKILL GHOST CHOIR
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $12.50 | All Ages

Lightning 100’s Nashville Sunday night are still putting together lineups as potent as ever, and this weekend is no different. Folk rock ‘n’ rollers Strand of Oaks are a band on the rise, having just dropped a kickass record, Hard Love, last month, followed by spot on Conan earlier this week. Now they’re ready to brighten up your Sunday night at 3rd and Lindsley, with help from alt rockers Roadkill Ghost Choir in the warmup spot, and as always with this showcase, you can also catch it being broadcast live on the radio! [JR]

PAUL BARRERE & FRED TACKETT w/ NEW ORLEANS SUSPECTS
@ City Winery | 8pm (6pm doors) | $32-38 | All Ages

Fans of Little Feat are surely already all over this show already.  Guitarist Paul Barrere and mandolinist Fred Tackett, who are arguably the heart and soul of the seminal rock band, have been performing together as an acoustic duo outside of LF for nearly 20 years now, and have released a couple of masterful live albums during that run.  Lately, they’ve teamed up with New Orleans Suspects on some runs, and the results are an evening of sultry cajun groove that is undeniably good.  This one is a bit pricey, but if you have the means, it’ll be a night to remember. [MH]

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