TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | May 26-28

It’s Memorial Day weekend, and, if you are sticking around town, you’ll be rewarded with a stacked bill of incredible shows to sink your teeth into.  We have a number of outdoor events, many of them free and family friendly, that, weather permitting, are definitely worth your attention.  Save steam for the evenings though, as this weekend also boasts a slew of noteworthy shows in the pop, punk, rock, metal, jazz, experimental, and post-rock genres.  If you need help making some decisions, head below to dig into our weekend picks. Have a safe and memorable Memorial Day everyone, and GO PREDS!!!

FRIDAY

TAYLS w/ PHANGS, MANRELIC, KEEPS
@ The Basement East| 9pm (8pm doors) | $5-7 | 21+

Celebrating the release of new single “Fist Fight,” which we had the please of premiering yesterday, rising psych-pop star Tayls, the live alter-ego of former Chalaxy frontman Taylor Cole (plus something of a local supergroup backing band) is bringing his freaky, fun, unrivaled live show to The Basement East. With local support from Phangs, Manrelic, and Keeps, you seriously don’t want to miss it. [PO]

THE TOUGH SHITS, BRIAN SMITH, THE ROCKY FOUR
@ Fond Object (Riverside Village) | 7pm | $5 | All Ages

We can always count on Riverside Village staple Fond Object to curate the best backyard shows, and with Philly garage rockers The Tough Shits passing through this weekend, they’ve pulled through yet again. Joining the scuzzy, raucous act are former Beat Angels frontman turned Phoenix-based author Brian Smith, who will read from his new book and show 11 one minute short films, and locals The Rocky Four– all for just $5! [PO]

MUSICIANS CORNER: LANGHORNE SLIM, EEF BARZELAY (of Clem Snide), NICOLE ATKINS, MORGAN BOSMAN, GLEN MARTIN
@ Centennial Park | 5pm | FREE | All Ages

The FREE Friday night acoustic jams for this weekend’s Musicians Corner at Centennial Park will be headlined by beloved local Americana folk-rock staple Langhorne Slim, whom we’ve been following for a long time now. With assistance from Eef Barzelay (of Clem Snide), Nicole Atkins and more, it’s sure to be an amazing night of music. Slim alone is worth a cover charge, so don’t miss out on an opportunity to catch him without shelling out any coin at this all ages mini-fest with a ton of other talents.  [JR]

NEGRA, THE CHEWERS, THE BINGERS, MICROWAVE MOUNTAIN
@ Radio Cafe | 8pm

Local power trio Negra will be putting their raw punk rock on full display at the relatively new DIY venue Radio Cafe, with help from Chicago rockers The Bingers, and fellow locals The Chewers and Microwave Mountain. In such a awesomely intimate venue, it promises to be rowdy ass night of loud, and sweaty rock and roll. Be sure you’re ready for the level of shred that is coming, because the mosh pit might end up being the whole crowd! [JR]

ANDREW COMBS w/ IAN FERGUSON
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $10 | All Ages

Texas bred country soul singer Andrew Combs now calls Music City home, and this weekend he will be having a very special hometown album release show at 3rd and Lindsley in honor of his new record, Canyons of my Mind. Early reviews are in, and it’s arguably his best effort to date, so be there in person to see him play it live. With help from No Country favorite Ian Ferguson in the warm-up spot, this is a steal of deal at just ten bucks. Don’t miss it! [JR]

DANI ELLIOTT, THE WILD NOW, APOLLO WILD
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm (8pm doors) | $5 | 21+

Local rising pop artist Dani Elliott caught our attention a while back with her debut EP, The Best Part, and she has been a steady face in the growing Nashville pop scene ever since.  Well honed from years of touring with numerous superstars, Dani is the real deal, as we found out when she wowed the room at one of our No Country Presents showcases.  Elliott will be joined by Austin, TX based dream pop outfit The Wild Now and local indie rockers Apollo Wild, giving this bang for your buck show a top nod.  [MH]

SUFFOCATION w/ REVOCATION, GREYWOODS, OPHIUCHUS
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $18-20 | 18+

Nearly 30 years into their run, New York’s Suffocation are a seminal act in American technical death metal, setting the template for the genre’s sound in the ’90s with their blast beats, guttural vocals, complex arrangements, and breakdowns. If you’re looking for an impossibly heavy, wild show this weekend, the band pass through ahead of new album …Of the Dark Light, and with support from Revocation, Greywoods, and Ophiuchus, it’s a metalhead’s dream. [PO]

MOONCHILD
@ City Winery | 8pm (6pm doors) | $15-20 | All Ages

Moonchild are bringing an interesting twist to the musical landscape this weekend.  With arrangements that tip-toe between jazz, soul, and even hip hop, the percussive, horn embellished backbone provides a perfect canvas for the lovely vocals of Amber Navran to paint gorgeous melodies of sound and song.  It’s no wonder legends of the game, like Stevie Wonder and Jill Scott, have joined the avant-garde of the genre, like Robert Glasper, to sing the praises of this talented troupe’s new record, Voyager.  Head below to check out “Back To Me” to get an idea of what they are all about. [MH]

SATURDAY

SAY ANYTHING, BAYSIDE w/ HOT ROD CIRCUIT
@ Cannery Ballroom | 8pm (7pm doors) | $22-25 | 18+

A co-headling bill sure to make ’00s punk fans thrilled, genre bending, earnest and beloved alt/emo/punk outfit Say Anything, still supporting last year’s bombastic return to form I Don’t Think It Is, hit Cannery Ballroom with now partially-local punks Bayside, who took a surprisingly poppy, indie turn with last year’s Vacancy. Both spectacular live acts, openers Hot Rod Circuit are icing on the cake for what is, without a doubt, one of the best lineups of the weekend. [PO]

EAST NASHVILLE CRAWFISH BASH: ALANNA ROYALE, TRISTEN, LITTLE BANDIT, HARPOONER, CHARLIE WHITTEN, WATERFALL WASH, SAD BAXTER, THE MEDIUM
@ East Park | 12pm (11am doors) | FREE (GA) / $10-45 (VIP) | All Ages

It’s that time of the year again.  One of the token local symbols that summer is fast approaching, The East Nashville Crawfish Bash embarks on their third year, and the growing fest has upgraded to the more spacious confines of East Park for this Saturday’s event.  Of course, this is Nashville, so it won’t be just about the mudbugs and beer, this one features a stacked lineup of local blog favorites including Alanna Royale, Tristen, Waterfall Wash, Sad Baxter, and more.  We have more info about this show here, or you can jump over the event’s Facebook page to get all the details, particularly in the event of inclement weather.  This will be the first chance for most of you to hear new music from upcoming LPs from Alanna Royale and Tristen, and that’s big news, making this an event not to be missed. [MH]

TIM KASHER w/ JOHN BRADLEY, CAMPDOGZZ
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $12-14 | 18+

Best known for fronting legendary emo/indie/post-hardcore group Cursive and folky indie outfit The Good Life, both of which are still active, Omaha native turned Angeleno Tim Kasher has been releasing albums under his own name as well since 2010, exploring genre-bending, conceptual, and cinematic soundscapes with his pop accessible indie rock. Kasher’s lastest and third LP, No Resolution, arrived earlier this year through 15 Passenger, a new label he runs with other members of Cursive. Already the subject of critical acclaim, Tim’s latest is especially story-driven and cinematic, and will serve as the soundtrack for his upcoming directorial debut of the same name, which he also wrote, due out later this year. An underground indie icon, Kasher’s show with John Bradley and Campdogzz is going to be hard to top. [PO]

PREEN, HUSBAND STITCH, TWEN
@ Drkmttr | 8pm | $7 | All Ages

With DIY space Dkrmttr back in full swing, we’re thrilled to see some great under the radar touring acts on their calendar once more, and Philly grunge punks Preen are the latest to pass through the house venue this weekend, along with locals Husband Stitch and Boston transplants Twen. If raw, angsty, grungy, garage punk in an open-minded and welcoming space is your thing, this is your show. [PO]

MUSICIANS CORNER: RAYLAND BAXTER, *REPEAT REPEAT, SKYWAY MAN, CALEB GROH, & MORE
@ Centennial Park | 1:30pm (12pm gates) | FREE | All Ages

The second night of this free summer weekend series at Centennial Park features more familiar local faces poised to impress with tasty tunes. Alt-pop mainstay Rayland Baxter gets top billing with help from friends of the blog, and recent Dangerbird Records signees *repeat repeat, Skyway Man, Caleb Groh and more. Music starts just after 1:30 p.m., and goes on until 6, so you can make a day of it, and still manage other plans in the evening. Get the most out of your Memorial Day weekend, and don’t spend a fortune doing it! [JR]

BELCURVE w/ THE MINKS
@ Fond Object (Riverside Village) | 7pm | $5 | All Ages

Austin based indie rock quintet Belcurve have been making waves outside of their home state of late as part of NPRs Tiny Desk Contest On The Road, and they will be stopping in for a perfectly fitting backyard show at Fond Object’s original Riverside Village location on Saturday.  The band features the uber talented vocalist and guitarist Sarah Castro and producer Matt Parmenter, who can lace ’em up with the best in the indie rock world right now.  They are joined by local retro blues psych rock outfit The Minks. Weather permitting, this is a priority stop when making the rounds on a busy Saturday. [MH]

KINHIN, LACQUER, PRECUBED
@ The East Room | 9pm | 18+

Continuing the eclectic vibe of this packed weekend, local, experimental, instrumental, post-rock outfit Kinhin celebrated the release of their debut EP earlier this year, and they have been popping up on more bills around town of late with their spectacular visual drenched live show.  You can get a taste of what they are all about with the live video from their EP release show at The Cobra below.  They will be joined by hardcore shoegazers Lacquer and Florida based electro post-rockers Precubed, both of whom also released new music this year.  Again, if you are looking for a little something different this weekend, this might be the spot to end up on Saturday night. [MH]

ALLEN THOMPSON BAND w/ ROREY CARROLL, DEAN JACKSON
@ The Basement | 9pm (8:30pm doors) | $5 | 21+

Blog pals the Allen Thompson Band are gearing up for the release of their latest LP, Brace Yourself, and they are throwing a little party to celebrate.  This band expertly craft songs that harken back to the ’60s, rife with musical innovators like The Band and the Grateful Dead with a contemporary flair that you would expect from Wilco, and this truly talented troupe has long been one to watch in the local scene.  They’ll be joined by the uber talented Rorey Carroll and Dean Jackson, which makes this feel like a family gathering, as is usually the case with ATB shows. [MH]

FLUMMOX w/ OPHIUCHUS, TENNESSEE SCUM, MORTIUS
@ The End | 8pm (7pm doors) | $7 | 18+

Murfreesboro based experimental prog-metal outfit Flummox thrive in both the weird and dark places rock music tends to propagate. Their music calls to mind acts like Frank Zappa or Black Sabbath, and their various costumed aliases (The Witch, The Wizard, An Alien, & Squonk) are milder interpretations of character bands like Gwar. With help from like minded metal heads Ophiuchus, area group Tennessee Scum, and Mortius it promises to be a disgustingly awesome night of heavy tunes. Be prepared for The End to be a hot sweaty mess, and keep your neck limber, as hand banging will be a must!  [JR]

SUNDAY

HOT MULLIGAN, BELMONT, IDLE THREAT, O SUMMER, NEW SUEDE
@ Beyond Aquatics (Murfreesboro) | 7pm (6pm doors) | $10-12 | All Ages

Billed as an “end of school pool party” and hosted at an actual, indoor pool center, this is one of the most random and awesome DIY events of the weekend. Michigan emo rockers Hot Mulligan and Chicago pop punks Belmont will be joined by local post-hardcore band Idle Threat, indie rockers O Summer, and New Suede, proving that, once again, Murfreesboro seems to have a lock on the underground touring punk scene. [PO]

JOSEPHINE FOSTER, THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS w/ THE STYROFOAM WINO
@ Fond Object (Riverside Village) | 6pm | $10 | All Ages

It’s gearing up for a big spring weekend at Fond Object’s original Riverside Village location this weekend.  They’ll wrap up the weekend by teaming up with eclectic tastemakers FMRL, who are responsible for promoting some of the most interesting shows in town in recent years.  This event features a chill evening with traditional folk hymns from Josephine Foster, quirky folk outfit The Cherry Blossoms, and outlaw blues outfit The Styrofoam Wino.  This BYOB event is family friendly, and weather permitting is a great way to spend that extra night of your long weekend. [MH]

VALLEY QUEEN w/ REUBEN BIDEZ, WESLEY JENSEN
@ The Basement | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $5-7 | 21+

Folk flavored indie rockers Valley Queen call to mind stupendous live bands like My Morning Jacket and Fleetwood Mac with their free flowing style. The LA based four-piece’s tour is winding through Music City, and if you’re looking to get out Sunday night for some live tunes with no work to worry about Monday, this group is as good as any to convince you to stay out late. Filling in the superb undercard are local (via GA) Reuben Bidez, and indie rocker Wesley Jensen. Three acts for under ten bucks on a holiday weekend is not something to overlook, so take advantage, and stretch out the long weekend as far as possible. [JR]

TWRP
@ Exit/In | 8pm (7pm doors) | $12-15 | 18+

An acronym for Tupper Ware Remix Party, Canada’s TWRP are a synthy, ’80s inspired, electro funk band, whose costume wearing, mythology building, and pop culture-checking aesthetic is a not a far-shot from Nashville’s own Protomen. With a live show packed with wild, hyper, explosive, and retro flair, they’ll have you dancing and rocking out in equal measure- not a bad way to end your weekend! [PO]

THE SECRET SISTERS w/ MATTHEW PERRYMAN JONES, CHEYENNE MEDDERS
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $15 | All Ages

Harmonizing folk duo The Secret Sisters are gearing up to release their, what at one point seemed unlikely, third LP You Don’t Owe Me Anything on June 9.  The duo first hit the limelight with their T Bone Burnett and Dave Cobb produced debut in 2009, and subsequent fan-base expanding opportunities to perform with Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and Paul Simon. They they even dropped a Jack White produced single through Third Man Records.  However, after the release of their sophomore record, the northern Alabama based duo found themselves without a label home and their prospects appeared bleak.  The band found renewed hope when they were approached by Brandi Carlile, funded by thousands of fans, and ultimately picked up by New West Records for the upcoming LP.  They are giving fans a chance to hear what to expect with a stellar celebration of singer-songwriters this weekend with a bill also featuring the uber talented Matthew Perryman Jones and Cheyenne Medders.   [MH]

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