TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | June 2-4

The weather’s fantastic, summer is officially right around the corner, Bonnaroo is going to be here for you know it, and pool and barbecue season is in full swing- that means there’s a lot of weekend fun competing for your attention, but it also means a ton of great shows happening all over town. Whether you’re looking for classic hip hop or punk, local indie or hardcore, a intimate chance to see a bona fide rockstar, free fests, pop, satirical country, garage rock, or just about anything else, you’ll find something to love this weekend, and we’ve rounded up our top picks once again in This Weekend in Nashville. Get to planning!

FRIDAY

THE PHARCYDE w/ AMERIGO GAZAWAY, THE MORNING AFTER CREW
@ The Basement East | 8pm (7pm doors) | $25-$500 | 21+

Like many legacy acts we’ve covered in recent years (The Beach Boys/Brian Wilson, The English Beat/The Beat, Black Flag/FLAG), golden age hip hop pioneers The Pharcyde are actually split into two factions nowadays. The version playing The Basement East this weekend under their original name consists of founding members Imani and Bootie Brown, who more or less inherited the moniker when bandmates Slimkid3 and Fatlip exited in the early ’00s to pursue solo careers. More recently, Slim and Fat re-teamed with DJ J-Swift to reunite as Bizarre Ride Live, named for (and to honor the anniversary of) the group’s debut. Meanwhile, the other long-running The Pharcyde have remained intermittently active, even releasing one album post-split, and are enjoying a bit of renewed attention as well as Bizarre Ride turns 25. Sure, we’d love to see all four original MCs together, but this is still a cool chance to see some classic hip hop in the vein of Souls of Mischief of A Tribe Called Quest (plus openers Amerigo Gazaway and The Morning After Crew) right in East Nashville. Not a bad way to start the weekend! [PO]

MEATBODIES, AD.UL.T, MEDIA JEWELER, MOUTH READER, SHADRAQ
@ Drkmttr | 8:30pm (8pm doors) | $10 | All Ages

Fronted by Chad Ubovich (who also plays bass in one of Ty Segall’s many projects, Fuzz), Meatbodies are a part of the exciting new group of psych-tinged garage rock acts to emerge from the west coast in recent years. The band recently released a pretty stellar new LP, Alice, and while they could play any number of Nashville venues this weekend, the fact that they’re opting to perform at DIY space Drkmttr makes this show all the more special (and reminds of the days Segall would play spots like the Zombie Shop). Rounding out the bill are likeminded Boston band Ad.Ul.T and fellow SoCal natives Media Jeweler, along with local support from Mouth Reader and Shadraq, for one hell of a lineup- do. not. sleep. on. this. show. [PO]

DAN AUERBACH
@ Grimey’s | 6pm | FREE | All Ages

Black Keys and The Arcs frontman and increasingly buzzy producer Dan Auerbach, a longtime resident of Nashville, is hosting a special Grimey’s “out-store” performance in the back lot, coinciding with the release of his brand new solo album Waiting on a Song, itself something of a loveletter to his adopted home. While guaranteed entry will be granted to those who pre-ordered the album at Grimey’s and received a special wristband, some walk-up spots are also first come, first served (unless it rains, then it moves outside and only wristband holders get in). Considering some of the huge shows the Keys have played in a recent years, this is a pretty unique and cool chance to see Dan up and close and personal. [PO]

MUUY BIIEN w/ PEELING, GUNTHER DOUG
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $8-10 | 18+

Formed from a background of minimalist, lo-fi ambient rock and post-punk informed hardcore, Muuy Biien, who hail from the musical hotbed of Athens, GA, have evolved over the last few years to embrace a moody, gothy, atmospheric style of punk-adjacent rock. Renowned for their layered and engaging live show, the band, whose latest, Age of Uncertainty, arrived last fall, headline The High Watt this weekend with Toronto punk supergroup Peeling and locals Gunther Doug, perhaps one of the best under the radar happenings the week. [PO]

LAWNDRY, THE PILLS, ROSE HOTEL, MADDIE MEDLEY
@ The East Room | 9pm | $5 | 18+

Formed by members of several other local acts we loved, genre-bending low-key indie rockers Lawndry have been on our radar since springing into existence with their self-titled, debut EP last year, and have become a staple in Nashville’s indie scene ever since. Top-lining a DIY show at The East Room hosted by our friends at Cold Lunch, for just $5 you also get Nashville psych rockers The Pills, Bowling Green indie singer Rose Hotel, and local folk singer Maddie Meledy– a stellar sampling of the best of what’s happening in the local scene. [PO]

PONDER w/ EVERYONE LEAVES, JETTY BONES, BOGUES, UNDESIRABLE PEOPLE, CAVING
@ Murfreesboro Strike & Spare | 7pm | $10 | All Ages

Yet another cool event from our Murfreesboro friends at Fountainhead Booking in an unorthodox spot, the Strike & Spare bowling center, local acoustic pop punk singer Ponder is celebrating the release of new EP 1st Degree. Making a trip to the ‘Boro even more enticing is a pretty stacked lineup of Ohio emo-informed punk and alt acts Everyone Leaves and Jetty Bones, along with local solo emo performer Bogues, Detroit indie rockers Undesirable People, and Indiana emo solo act Caving– that’s a lot of midwest goodness for just $10. [PO]

MUSICIANS CORNER: THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS, GABE DIXON, THE SAINT JOHNS, COLM KIRWAN, QUINN DEVEAUX
@ Centennial Park | 5pm | FREE | All Ages

The hits keep coming to Centennial Park, for the free summer concert series Musicians Corner. This week’s Friday Acoustic Night features headlining classic country crooners The Cactus Blossoms, piano man Gabe Dixon, The Saint Johns, and more! The all ages affair is the perfect way to get the family out of the house, away from their various glowing screens, to enjoy some live music in an excellent outdoor atmosphere. [JR]

ORTHODOX w/ LEFT BEHIND, COVE, BREAKING WHEEL, HANGING MOON, LEAN
@ The End | 7pm (6pm doors) | $12 | 18+

Local straightedge hardcore/metal band Orthodox are celebrating the release of their new record Sounds of Loss, which officially dropped last week through Unbeaten Records, with a stacked, heavy hometown show at The End. Support comes from West Virginia metal/hardcore outfit Left Behind, likeminded locals Cove, Michigan death metal band Breaking Wheel, local hardcore outfit Hanging Moon, and somewhat out of place but nonetheless great local indie punks Lean. [PO]

WHEELER WALKER JR. w/ REPUBLICAN HAIR
@ Exit/In | 8:30pm (7:30pm doors) | Sold Out | 18+

A legend amongst his growing legion of diehard fans, raunchy satirical country singer-songwriter Wheeler Walker Jr. exploded onto the scene with his 2016 debut Redneck Shit. Helmed by local super producer Dave Cobb, the record caught on like a dumpster fire, propelled by songs that poke fun at traditional pop country acts like Luke Bryant and Blake Shelton. Wheeler found an audience of bro-country haters that got his jokes immediately. Now WWJ is laughing all the way to the bank, headlining a sold out show at Exit/In with help from Republican Hair. Hopefully you got tickets, and if not, better luck next time, but be warned; it will only get harder as this underground legend’s story grows. [JR]

HAYLEY KIYOKO w/ SWEATER BEATS
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $15 | All Ages

Singer-songwriter Hayley Kiyoko is a renaissance woman with her career as an actress, singer, and gay rights activist.  She released a very well received EP, Citrine, in late 2016, and has racked up millions of plays for her singles “Girls Like Girls” and “Gravel To Tempo.” Her latest single “Sleepover” just dropped, and has been buzzing around the internet of late.  Her songs are powerful anthems of sexual confusion and acceptance, while the poppy sensibilities appeal to a broad audience. Likeminded electropop outfit Sweater Beats will get this one started, and are reason to get there on time. [MH]

FOUR VOICES: JOAN BAEZ, MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER, INDIGO GIRLS
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 8pm (7pm doors) | $59-85 | All Ages

The Ryman is hosting an event that could easily be mistaken for a special collaboration at the Grammy Awards.  Legendary folk icon Joan Baez will be joined by longtime friends and activist Mary Chapin Carpenter, and grammy winning duo the Indigo Girls for the first of two nights on Friday.  This one isn’t the cheapest option for a weekend out, but, if you have the means, it is likely one that you will be telling friends about for years to come.  The cell phone video below isn’t the best quality, but you should get an idea of what you’ll be in store for. [MH]

SATURDAY

MUSE w/ THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS, PVRIS
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 7pm | $103-130 | All Ages

Despite being declared sold out a long time ago, a handful of tickets in various sections (including the standing room front pit) have been released as of writing- the price tag is hefty, but if you can’t miss this show, get yours ASAP! In a bit of a weird package, English alt rock megastars Muse, who are currently prepping a new album likely to arrive sometime next year, headline with support from Jared Leto-fronted alt rockers Thirty Seconds to Mars (who don’t have quite the same prestigious reputation), and dark pop up and comers PVRIS. Ascend is a pretty small spot for a Muse show, so diehards will likely enjoy the relatively up close and personal experience. [PO]

MUSICIANS CORNER: CARL BROEMEL (of My Morning Jacket), BRIAN OWENS & THE DEACONS OF SOUL, DEVON GILFILLIAN, MICHAEL MCQUAID, & MORE
@ Centennial Park | 1:30pm (12pm gates) | FREE | All Ages

Night two of this week’s installment of Musicians Corner has a distinct rock roll slant with Carl Broemel (of My Morning Jacket fame) headlining. Helping take the gig up a notch is soul performers Brian Owens & The Deacons of Soul, No Country Presents alum Devon Gilfillian, and Michael McQuaid, plus an acoustic stage slate of Rebekah Pahl, Adam Hambrick, and Raihanna Estrada. You get all these awesome mini-fest vibes for free, so if you’re on a tight budget, but have to get out of the house this weekend, this is a great option. It also ends pretty early, so you can make plans for afterwards, what’s not to love? [JR]

BLACK MAGS, CUSSES, SECRET CLUB
@ The East Room | 8pm | $5 | 18+

Local garage psych/fuzz rock outfit Black Mags have been piquing our interests for a while now, so every time we see them on a bill it is 100% worth mentioning. Throw in like minded Savannah, GA based rockers Cusses, and another band of locals, Secret Club, and you got the making of a very heady show at The East Room. When you add the fact that they’re only charging a $5 cover, and it’s got the recipe for a top low dough show of the weekend. Eastsiders and beyond, being broke is no excuse.  Help our local scene continue to flourish. Support live music. [JR]

SUNDAY

SILENT FRICTION w/ DAVE PAULSON (of Esposito), AARON ROBINSON (of Imaginary Baseball League)
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $5 | 18+

Before there was The Pink Spiders, there was Silent Friction, the first buzzy local project of then-teenaged Matt Friction (Matt Bell). Following the Spiders’ recent reunion, complete with new music, Matt seems to have bitten by the nostalgia bug, and is digging even further into his musical past to resurrect his earliest power pop project, a sort of proto-Pink Spiders, for their first show in 14 years this weekend. Regulars in their day at spots like NXT Generation and The Muse, Silent Friction’s teenaged angst and blissful, turn of the millennium garage-y, poppy sound is a definite walk down memory lane (and a cool glimpse into Nashville’s pre “it-city” scene). With support from locals Dave Paulson and Aaron Robinson, this feels like one of the most essential shows of the weekend (if not the whole year). [PO]

THE QUEERS w/ DWARVES, RANDOM CONFLICT, THE ROCKY FOUR, THE CREEPING CRUDS, DECENT CRIMINAL
@ Exit/In| 6:20pm (6pm doors) | $15 | 18+

If legit, real deal punk is what you’re looking for this weekend, this stacked out show at Exit/In should more than have you covered. ’80s punk legends and pop punk pioneers The Queers, who, despite many, many rotating members of the years still feature key frontman Joe Queer, head up the bill along with fellow classic punk staples and more hardcore-leaning outfit Dwarves, Alabama ’90s hardcore pioneers Random Conflict, and locals The Rocky Four and The Creeping Cruds, and California’s Decent Criminal. Wow that’s a cool lineup. [PO]

AMY SHARK w/ ROB DRABKIN
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $10 | All Ages

Lightning 100’s weekly showcase Nashville Sunday Night rolls on. The latest installment features Australian pop singer songwriter and producer Amy Shark, plus Denver rocker Rob Drabkin in the warm-up spot. You get both performers for just $10, or you can catch the whole show live on your FM dial. Of course we think seeing tunes in person is always best, so make sure you squeeze out every drop of fun possible from your weekend with help from this show. [JR]

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