TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | June 30-July 2

As we continue to move fast into summer, and while we prepare for 4th of July festivities, the last weekend of June/first weekend of July boasts plenty of cool show options (and also a massive Game of Thrones convention, if that piques your interest). Whether you want to catch some DIY punk, classic ska, indie, pop, psychedelic rock, or even underground country, you’re sure to find something that suits your fancy, largely for low or no cover- . Start planning your musical weekend with This Weekend in Nashville!

FRIDAY

THE TOASTERS w/ LONESOME TOWN DRIFTERS
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $12 | 18+

Among the originators of American second wave ska, The Toasters formed in New York in the early ’80s, and managed to find crossover success with their genre-bending, punk adjacent sensibilities. Though perhaps not a household name, the group, who’ve never stopped making music and touring, helped pave the way for the the third wave ska explosion of the ’90s, and remain one of the most well-respected and skilled acts in the scene. Along with Lonesome Town Drifters, they hit The High Watt this weekend, and it’s an incredible chance to see some legends in action. [PO]

COLSON w/ THE BURPS, JACKSON AIDE
@ The End | 8pm | FREE | 18+

Predating the “new Nashville” rock scene by a number of years, local emo/indie outfit Colson formed in late 2001, at the time Belmont and Vandy students, and perfectly encapsulated the emo/post-hardcore/angsty indie rock that would go on to dominate the mainstream around the mid-00s. Though apparently short-lived, and shuffling through a lot of players, singer Ryan Rado seemingly the biggest constant, members of Colson went on to take part in a number of other local projects, and, over the years, they’ve had a few incredibly reunions, most recently in 2013. In honor of Rado’s 40th birthday, Colson will once again come together, potentially for one night only, for a free show along with The Burps and Jackson Aide. It’s always intriguing to revisit lesser-known chapters of the local scene’s recent past, and Colson are another great band to get nostalgic with, whether you were around for their original run or not. [PO]

THE DAYBREAKS w/ LUKR, JACKSON AIDE
@ The Back Corner | 8pm (7pm doors) | $6-10 | 21+

We’ve been digging on The Daybreaks since they first popped onto the scene early last year, and even invited the poppy, synthy, retro-loving local supergroup to play one of our Acme showcases. After a string of buzzworthy tracks, the band have finally released their debut album, Find Me at the End of the World, and they’re celebrating with a release party at new Germantown showspace The Back Corner, along with neon grunge singer Lukr and Jackson Aide. This band should absolutely be on your radar, and for the low cost at a cool new space, this show is hard to beat. [PO]

SCALE MODEL
@ Soulshine Pizza Kitchen | 7pm| FREE | All Ages

Lightning 100’s Artist of the Week, indie/snyth pop outfit Scale Model have been a favorite of ours for several years now, and we’re especially big fans of the new wave-geared direction explored on recent EP Afterglow. Catch them for free at Soulshine, to get your weekend off on the right foot. [PO]

IVORY LAYNE w/ JASON ESKRIDGE
@ City Winery | 8pm (6pm doors) | $12-15 | All Ages

Local pop performer Ivory Layne first started to turn heads in 2013, when she released her debut EP, Volume One, with help from Grammy award-winning producer Ed Cash. She’s been hard at work every since, playing locally often, and hitting the road whenever she can. Word is new music is on the way, so don’t miss your chance to see he debut some of it live! With help from acoustic soul performer Jason Eskridge in the opening spot, it should be a wonderful night of top notch tunes, help in the intimate confines of City Winery. [JR]

JAIME WYATT w/ ZACH SCHMIDT
@ The Basement | 9pm (8:30pm door) | $6-8 | 21+

Outlaw country singer songwriter Jaime Wyatt has hit some potholes on the road to growing acclaim. She was first signed at seventeen, but after two record deals went belly up, a drug problem developed, and she got desperate. Looking for fast money, she tried to rob her dealer, got busted, and ended taking a plea deal for eight months in jail, six months of treatment, and three years felony probation. If there is a positive to take form it all, it would be her latest release, Felony Blues, which was crafted from her experiences down the wrong path. You can enjoy her country fried rock sounds, and hear her cautionary stories, with help form Zach Schmidt in the warmup spot, all for under a ten spot. [JR]

PETE LINDBERG, CHARLIE WHITTEN, DAVID ISRAEL
@ Fond Object (Riverside) | 7pm | $5 | All Ages

If you’re looking to kick of your weekend with a low-key, BYOB, backyard show, Fond Object Riverside has you covered, pairing Stationwagon’s Stationwagon’s Pete Lindberg, bandmate Charlie Whitten, and Austin’s David Israel for some folky, laid back, rootsy jams. [PO]

SATURDAY

FREE THROW w/ HOMESAFE, HEART ATTACK MAN, CHASE HUGLIN
@ The End | 7:30pm (7pm doors) | $12-14 | All Ages

A breakout force in Nashville’s emo/indie punk scene of the last few years, Free Throw garnered national attention with the release of their debut LP, Those Days Are Gone, in 2014, and have been touring the world since, sharing the stage with bigger and bigger acts, all the while maintaining their DIY ethos and punk roots, channeling a pure, unabashed love for ’90s emo, underground indie rock, and old school pop punk and screamo, juxtaposing raw, earnest vocals and emotional lyrics with noodle-y, melodic, and driving arrangements. The band recently released their stellar sophomore effort, Bear Your Mind, and are finally celebrating with a hometown release show at The End, along with Homesafe, Heart Attack Man, and Chase Huglin. We always recommend checking Free Throw out live, but given the occasion, this should be a weekend priority. [PO]

WHITE ROPE, SUPERMELT, BUMMR CITY
@ Blackbird Tattoo | 8pm | $5 | All Ages

NYC based electro punks White Rope are headlining a great DIY, low dough show also featuring local trio Supermelt (who just recently opened for Ty Segall), plus another favorite local act, slacker power pop rockers Bummr City. You get all this ass kicking awesome for just five bucks, plus it’s an all ages show, so bring whoever! If you’re of age, it’s BYOB, so it’s really wide open to be whatever kinda party you want it to be, don’t miss it! [JR]

FIRST GHOST, CITY MOUTH, ZÜG, HAWKINS A/V CLUB, THE CITY PLANNER
@ Dad’s Garage (Murfreesboro) | 7pm (6pm doors) | $5 | All Ages

Murfreesboro DIY space Dad’s Garage never disappoints with the DIY goodness, and this mix of great up and coming touring acts and locals is going to be a blast. Canada’s First Ghost play an emo-laced, poppy, indie rock, while Chicago’s City Mouth veer more into the territory of pop punk. Rounding out the local support are ZÜG, Hawkins A/V Club, and The City Planner, making this a bargain at $1/band. [PO]

DYLAN LEE JOHNSTON & THE BAD HABITS, MEGAN PALMER w/ IAN FERGUSON, AUSTIN HOKE, plus a SCREENING of ‘MNEMONICS’
@ Fond Object (4th Ave) | 7pm | FREE | All Ages

We’ve given you little bit of a more detailed of a rundown on this one already, but the abbreviated version is this; local blues singer songwriter Dylan Lee Johnston and his backing band The Bad Habits will be playing a free all ages show at the downtown Fond Object location. Pop performer Megan Palmer, blog favorite Ian Ferguson, and Austin Hoke will all also be performing, and Bosnian filmmaker Daniela Repas will also be hosting a screening of her short film, Mnemonics, which features original music from Mr. Johnston. Help support our local music and arts scene, and soak up some free, quality art. This might be best free gig of the weekend, so don’t miss it. [JR]

THE CHURCH
@ City Winery | 8pm (6pm doors) | $30-38 | All Ages

Absolute legends in their native Australia, The Church are an alternative psych rock band with just the right amounts of post-punk, art rock, and dream pop mixed in for good measure. Although lineups have changed over the years, the mantle has been carried for nearly four decades, and produced almost 30 records, counting LPs and EPs. With such a staggering amount of material to work with, this promises to be a far out, hit laced show; don’t sleep on it if psychedelic rock is your forte. [JR]

KID FREUD w/ FOREST FIRE GOSPEL CHOIR, THE BUMBS
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $8-10 | 18+

Garage pop trio and longtime site favorites Kid Freud top a pretty great local bill at The High Watt Saturday night, rounded out by roots rockers Forest Fire Gospel Choir and retro-leaning rising act The Bumbs. [PO]

TENGGER CAVALRY, FELIX MARTIN, MALPHAS, OBELISK
@ The East Room | 8pm | $10-12 | 18+

Hailing from New York, Tengger Calvary fuse elements of traditional Mongolian folk music with heavy metal to forge their own, incredibly unique folk metal sound. They hit The End this weekend for the best show option for any adventurous metalhead, along with Venezuelan jazz/prog metal guitarist Felix Martin, melodic death metal outfit Malphas and melodic metal band Obelisk. [PO]

CHRISTOPHER TITUS
@ Zanies | 7pm & 9:15pm | $27.50 | 18+

Brutally honest and accomplished comedian/actor Christopher Titus is stopping in on Music City to bring us his unique brand of comedy. His confessional style of delivery, usually focused on his very eccentric and dysfunctional family, plus some very extreme life experiences, always makes for an interesting show. With two different start times, comedy lovers can hit Zanies for laughs early, or as a night cap, but only while seats remain, so don’t hesitate. [JR]

SUNDAY

PINE, HEAD CHANGE, TRANSGRESSION, MACCABEE, WHILE YOU WERE ASLEEP
@ Dad’s Garage (Murfreesboro) | 7pm | $5 | All Ages

Hailing from Canada and signed to tastemaking label No Sleep Record, ambient alt/indie rockers Pine are an earnest, emotionally resonant, must-know rising act. They head up a show at Murfreesboro DIY space Dad’s Garage this Sunday with a somewhat mismatched group of acts, but for $5, you can’t go wrong- also expect hardcore touring acts Head Change and Transgression, local hip hop artist Maccabee and metal band While You Were Asleep to round things out. [PO]

JMR w/ CHRISTIE DUPREE, THAD KOPEC
@ The Basement | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $8-10 | 21+

Adopting a electro-laced, synthy, minimalist, r&b sound, local singer JMR is fast becoming as essential fixture of the local indie pop scene, and if you haven’t yet caught wind of the buzzy singer, who recently dropped new EP Boyish, you have a great chance to end your weekend with an intimate show at The Basement. Local support comes from indie singer Christie DuPree (of Merriment) and Thad Kopec, cementing this as one of the weekend’s best under the radar happenings. [PO]

ALVAREZ KINGS w/ CARVERTON, KRIGARE, DREW SCHUELER
@ Cafe Coco | 7:30pm (7pm doors) | $8-10 | All Ages

English alt/inide pop group Alvarez Kings have been steadily climbing the ladder to international acclaim for the last several years, gaining early buzz thanks to stints on Warped Tour, appearances with the likes of Melanie Martinez, PVRIS, and Echosmith, and well-received early tracks and EPs. The band are gearing up to release their full-length debut through Warner Bros, and they’re making an all ages stop at Cafe Coco, along with Carverton, Krigare, and Drew Schueler, this weekend, for what is almost certain to be the smallest spot you’ll see them once the album arrives. [PO]

MUDDY MAGNOLIAS w/ JESS NOLAN
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $10 | All Ages

Local alternative rock/soul outfit Muddy Magnolias generated some buzz last year with their debut record, Broken People, and are looking to continue capitalizing on that momentum. A blend of tough as nails city swagger, with some Mississippi delta dirt mixed in for good measure, the group’s sound is reminiscent of honky tonk era Rolling Stones song by the Indigo Girls. They’ll be perfect headliners for Lightning 100’s always jumping Nashville Sunday Night showcase, with support from fellow local favorite Jess Nolan. Catch it live and in person, or for free on Lightning 100. [JR]

[JR] Jacob Ryan
[PO] Philip Obenschain