TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | July 21 – 23

It’s gonna be a scorcher this weekend in Nashville, but that isn’t going to stop us from getting out to see shows.  Our pals at Exit/In are celebrating with a monster block party on Saturday, but the rest of the weekend is also packed with shows big and small with friends, legends, locals, and touring acts new and old, bringing you the best in punk, funk, rock, blues, pop, indie, and beyond.  Head below to see our staff picks for the weekend, and get out to see some live music.

FRIDAY

FAUX FEROCIOUS w/ DIGDEEP LIGHT SHOW, DATENIGHT
@ Kirstie Alley’s Davve Grohl Grill | “Sundown” (6pm doors) | FREE | All Ages

Earlier this week, we shared the new self-titled EP from local rockers Faux Ferocious.  If you’ve been listening to the droning experimental sludge blues all week like we have, then you are probably texting your friends as you read this telling them that you have the perfect weekend plans.  Faux Ferocious are throwing a DIY release party at house venue Kirstie Alley’s Davve Grohl Grill (details here) on Friday night.  The show is free, which also including free food and free booze (for those of age), and DigDeep Light Show and Datenight will help kick things off.  Doors for this one open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at “sundown,” so plan accordingly. [MH]

WET MUT, OLDER BROTHER, DREAM WAVE, NO RITUAL
@ Drkmttr | 8pm | $7 | All Ages

We can always count on Drkmttr to host some of the best DIY shows in town, and this weekend is no different. Hailing from New York, Wet Mut plays an earnest, indie-tinged “cosmic folk,” and Providence, RI outfit Older Brother bring a more upbeat, alt-rock influenced, ’90s-inspired sound. Local supports comes from buzzy dream pop faves Dream Wave and lo-fi indie rockers No Ritual, making this one of the best ways to spend $7 you can find this weekend. [PO]

JOHN MCCAULEY, T. HARDY MORRIS, JUSTIN COLLINS, PHIL HUMMER
@ The Basement | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $8-10 | 21+

“In the round” performances are not a new thing in Nashville.  In fact, hordes of tourists (and brave locals) line up for hours in the conditions to get into The Bluebird Cafe to see some of Nashville’s biggest songwriters perform “in the round” on a daily basis.  This performance is unique as it groups a collective of some of New Nashville’s best songwriters together in a similar manner to perform favorites from their respective catalogues when John McCauley (Deer Tick, Diamond Rugs), T. Hardy Morris (Dead Confederate, Diamond Rugs), Justin Collins (Justin & The Cosmics), and Phil Hummer (Phil Hummer & The White Falcons) take over the stage at The Basement.  If you are looking for something different from some of the artists we are most proud call Nashville home, this is a not to miss event. [MH]

STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES w/ LUCERO
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 8pm (7pm doors) | $39.50-59.50 | All Ages

Resident “Hard-Core Troubadour” Steve Earle and his backing band The Dukes have a new record, entitled So You Wanna Be An Outlaw, which dropped earlier this summer. They’ll bringing their new tunes (and no doubt some classics from Steve’s massive catalog) to the stage of the Mother Church, with help from Lucero in the warmup. A must see for any fan of legendary and quality local songwriting. [JR]

AIR SUPPLY
@ Schermerhorn Symphony Center | 8pm | $39-89 | All Ages

On a weekend packed to the gills with legends of pop rock, the first legacy act on the docket is Air Supply, Friday night in the beautiful confines of the Schermoerhorn. The Australian duo became famous for their balled love songs, a few of which were big hits in the ’80s, and they have gone on to release a total of 17 albums, so there will be no shortage of songs to play. This is a can’t miss for all the balled rock fans out there who are “Lost in Love.” [JR]

GEORGE PORTER JR & THE RUNNIN’ PARDNERS w/ SHABTI
@ 12th & Porter | 8pm (7pm doors) | $20 | All Ages

Those of you that were at Bonnaroo last month and went to the Superjam were acquainted with the mastery of guest bassist George Porter Jr.  Those of us that have lived or spent time in New Orleans know this master of the funk much better.  Porter was a founding member of seminal funk band The Meters, and has been operating his own similarly styled musical melee with his band The Runnin’ Pardners for around two decades now.  Going to see Porter perform is an absolute guarantee that you will dance, and all the while be amazed at the musicianship that comes out of the Crescent City. Shabti will open. [MH]

THE IVINS w/ LIGHTS OF MARFA, THE DIRTY DELUSIONS
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10 | 18+

Local alt rockers The Ivins, helmed by brothers Jim and Jack Ivins, draw influence from the likes of Arctic Monkeys and Stereophonics, to craft a hard-hitting, straight up rock sound. Along with fellow hard rockers Lights of Marfa and garage rockers Dirty Delusions, they head up a Friday show at The High Watt, providing another cool all-local weekend option. [PO]

SATURDAY

ELLISTON PLACE STREET FEST: THE WILD FEATHERS, BILLY JOE SHAVER, SELF, ROOTS OF A REBELLION, LILLIE MAE, THE PINK SPIDERS, LAZERSNAKE, THE ROYAL COURT OF CHINA, KDSML, FLORALORIX, HR_LEXY, BETA MACKS
@ Exit/In | 4pm (doors at 3pm) | $20-55 | 18+

What first began as a tradition in the ’70s and ’80s, and was resurrected last year in celebration of Exit/In’s 45th anniversary, the Elliston Place Street Fest will return once again this weekend to the Rock Block (performances take place and Exit and The End, as well as a main stage between the two). With big name acts like The Wild Feathers, Billy Joe Shaver, sElf, Roots of a Rebellion, Lillie Mae, and more, it’s an absolutely stacked sampling of a diverse range of local talent, and with both GA and VIP options, you have the choice to cool off and grab some special drinks if you want to splurge. We had a blast last year, and this weekend’s Street Fest is sounding just as exciting, heat be damned. [PO]

KAREN MEAT, QUICHENIGHT, MOLLY ROCKET
@ The East Room | 9pm (8pm doors) | $5 

Des Moines, IA’s Karen Meat are the pop rock brainchild of Arin Eaton, blending indie pop and the sound of classic girl groups with electronic and lo-fi to forge a hypnotic and unique sound we can’t get enough of. Joined by local alt pop outfit QuicheNight and power pop party starters Molly Rocket, this wallet friendly, stacked show at The East Rooms sounds like one of the weekend’s best bets. [PO]

KANSAS BIBLE COMPANY w/ THE WILD JAYS, KNEEL JUNG
@ Little Harpeth | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10 

As we’ve been seeing over the past few weekends, Little Harpeth Brewing is raising the bar in the DIY venue category.  This weekend, they’ll host blog faves Kansas Bible Company, who claim this may be their only local show of the year, and Okey Dokey side project Kneel Jung.  Psych pop outfit The Wild Jays will kick things off, and we just premiered a new single and video for them, which you can check out below.  You get all these bands, and access to the freshest beer possible for only $10.  Now, that’s a deal. [MH]

ALLEN THOMPSON BAND w/ ROREY CARROLL
@ Cornelia Fort Airpark | 6pm | $12-15 | All Ages

East Nashville’s Cornelia Fort Airpark has been the venue for their monthly summer “Pickin’ Party” for several years now, and the family friendly fun continues this weekend with blog faves Allen Thompson Band and rising songwriter Rorey Carroll.  Besides the booked acts, musicians attending the event are invited to bring an instrument (for a free drink ticket) for a communal jam, which begins at 6 p.m., which bands on at 7.  Yazoo beers, Woodland Wine Merchant wines, and local food vendors will also be on hand, and all proceeds go to protect the unique Shelby Park landmark.  It’s gonna be a scorcher of a weekend, so bring some shade and enjoy the uniquely Nashville event. [MH]

TENNESSEE TEENS ROCK CAMP SHOWCASE
@ Third Man Records | 3:30pm (3pm doors) | $12 | All Ages

Hosted by Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities, Inc. (YEAH!), the Tennessee Teens Rock Camp (and complimentary Southern Girls Rock Camp) takes place throughout the summer in Nashville and Murfreesboro, teaching local teens how to play instruments in a collaborative, rock band type setting. This year’s campers will showcase their skills with an afternoon performance at Third Man Records’ Blue Room, and trust us, these kids really rock. [PO]

STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON w/ DON FELDER
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 7pm | $27.50-99.50 | All Ages

Keeping the unofficial Music City classic pop rock weekend going are the prog leaning legends Styx, who are ready to sail away with the masses at Ascend. Look for like minded ’80s rock heroes REO Speedwagon to bring their legendary jams as well,  and former Eagles guitarist Don Felder to kick things off in the warm up spot. You can get all this nostalgia at once, and still hit the bars downtown afterwards, but only while tickets last. [JR]

SUNDAY

DADDY ISSUES, BELLOWS, BIG UPS, TERROR PIGEON
@ The East Room | 8pm | $5

Riding high on the huge wave of positive buzz surrounding their recent full-length debut, Deep Dream, local grunge pop faves Daddy Issues return to The East Room for one of the coolest shows of the weekend. Hailing from Brooklyn, Bellows adopts a folky, poppy, electro-laced and experimental sound, while fellow New Yorkers Big Ups pack as raucous punk punch. Opening up are local electro-laced indie punks Terror Pigeon, for a hell of a lineup from top to bottom- all for just $5! [PO]

FRATERNAL TWIN, STOLEN JARS, DREAM WAVE, HIGH TIDES, DIRT
@ Drkmttr | 8pm | $7 | All Ages

Brooklyn based lo-fi alt rockers Fraternal Twin are stopping in on Music City to play the DIY all ages haven Drkmttr, and you can check them out for under a ten spot. Enjoy Jersey outfit Stolen Jars, locals Dream Wave, California rockers High Tides, and Dirt in the opening spots. You can do it! Get out there an support some touring bands, and show them Nashville knows how to rock. [JR]

JONNY FRITZ w/ JOSHUA HEDLEY
@ The Basement | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $10-12 | 21+

Jonny Fritz used to wander around Nashville under the name Jonny Corndawg in the late 2000s, but, after signing to ATO Records, the alt-country songwriter reverted back to his birth name and found a new home in Los Angeles for the release of his latest record, Sweet Creep.  He obviously still holds ties to Music City, as you can see in his spectacularly goofy new single “Stadium Inn,” complete with the famed dumpy Nashville hotel featured in the video.  If you want to catch up with an old friend, head out to The Basement on Sunday night to catch Fritz perform along with local songwriter Joshua Hedley. [MH]

TIG NOTARO
@ TPAC’s James K. Polk Theater | 7:30pm | $37-42 | All Ages

Smart and hilarious, standup comic, writer, and actor Tig Notaro balances observational humor, witty commentary, and personal reflection for one of the sharpest, funniest shows around. Lately her presence has been rising through TV, especially with semi-autobiographical starring Amazon vehicle One Mississippi, but her long-running standup career is still where Notaro shines the brightest. With an appearance at TPAC, those looking to branch out from music this weekend can catch one of the most gifted comedians around. [PO]

THIS WILD LIFE w/ DRYJACKET, A WILL AWAY
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $15 | 18+

By virtue of being an acoustic duo in the emo/indie punk space usually reserved for gang vocals and power chords, California’s This Wild Life are already something of an anomaly, but with their latest LP, Low Tides, they prove even more resistant to being put in a box. Out in support of their latest, the band return to Nashville this Sunday to headline The High Watt, and have tapped two very interesting rising full-band acts, Dryjacket and A Will Away, for support. [PO]

SAM PALLADIO, LITTLE BANDIT, KYSHONA, MARLENE TWITTY-FARGO, POLY, ARIEL BUI
@ The Basement East | 7pm (6:30pm doors) | $12-15 | 21+

Good music sounds even better when it’s for a good cause, and this weekend at The Basement East, some of the most talented artists in the local folk scene will come together for a “Folk Fights Back for LGBTQ Rights” benefit, which supports local nonprofit the Oasis Center, committed to helping and empowering at-risk youth. Every name on the bill should ring familiar, from folk rock troubadour Sam Palladio (who you may know from ABC’s Nashville) to site faves Little Bandit and many more! This would be a show worth catching even if it wasn’t a benefit, but you can feel even better soaking up tunes while knowing your money is also going to a great cause. [PO]

NICOLE ATKINS w/ BRANDY ZDAN
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $10 | All Ages

Nashville based singer-songwriter Nicole Atkins is not one to label too quickly, and she takes you on a journey of through history in her new record, Goodnight Rhonda Lee. The soul-inspired gem takes you harkens back to days of less strife, but her grasp on the techniques of the masters of the genre will make you double take, as you will hear from her single “Listen Up” below.  She takes the stage with blog faves Brandy Zdan on Sunday night to finish your weekend off with a bang. [MH]

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