TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Aug. 4–6

It’s a weekend of record releases, buzzy touring bands, and a first time festival in Music City (not to mention Birmingham’s Secret Stages is celebrating their 7th year with a killer lineup, chock full of Nashville talent).  We are still in the “slow” summer months, but there is plenty to chose from to satiate your musical thirst.  Head below to see some of our top picks for shows this weekend in Nashville.

FRIDAY

ROYAL TEETH w/ MOUNTAINS LIKE WAX, VOLUNTEER
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $12-14 | 18+

We already gave you the rundown in our full preview, but in case you haven’t heard, Louisiana indie pop outfit Royal Teeth are back in town this weekend and heading up The High Watt in support of their latest EP, Amateurs. That should be reason enough to get you out, but with the addition of local post-rockers Mountains Like Wax and indie pop singer Volunteer, it’s definitely one of the weekend’s best bets. [PO]

SWEET KNIVES, SPODEE BOY
@ Fond Object (Downtown) | 7pm | $10 | All Ages

Something of a reincarnation of Memphis black-wave synth punk band Lost Sounds, albeit without the late Jay Reatard, who sadly passed away in 2010, Sweet Knives both continue where their former project left off, and quell some of its angst with new material and an eye on the future. The fanatic group return to town for a show at Fond Object’s 4th Ave location, and with local punk rocker Spodee Boy on the bill, it’s gonna be a blast. [PO]

DAPHNE & THE MYSTERY MACHINES w/ ROANOKE, BEARHEART, PEOPLE ON THE PORCH
@ Exit/In | 8pm (7pm doors) | $5-7 | 18+

It’s a night fueled with awesome local Americana, as Daphne & The Mystery Machines return to the stage, after a bit of a medical hiatus, with promises of new music.  They are joined by blog faves Roanoke, local folksters Bearheart, and upstart pickers People On The Porch.  If you just need a good night of great music, this one is hard to beat. [MH]

THE BY GODS, SAD BAXTER, PLS PLS, TOWER DEFENSE, MAD ANTHONY
@ The East Room | 8pm (7pm doors) | $7 | 18+

Boasting a nostalgic fusion of post-punk and garage pop, The By Gods are a local act that should definitely be on your radar if they’re not already, and they’re heading up an absolutely stacked, reasonably priced DIY show Friday at The East Room that you can’t go wrong with, co-headlined by fellow local grungy alt pop duo Sad Baxter, with whom they just finished a tour. Support comes from Atlanta eletropop outfit PLS PLS, local poppy, post-punks Tower Defense, and Cincinnati rockers Mad Anthony. For $7, it’s a steal. [PO]

THE CUNNING w/ THAT’S MY KID, VOLTAGE HAWK
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm (8pm doors) | $7 | 18+

Blog pals The Cunning have been operating under the radar of late, while prepping their latest record, and they are celebrating the official release of Run Through The Desert at Mercy Lounge this weekend.  The new record evokes the same power of the band’s previous releases, but sees them harness their punk fueled, garage rock into a more mature sound.  You can hear this new lean on their style in the title track below.  The celebration is rounded out by another blog favorite That’s My Kid and fresh faced rockers Voltage Hawk. [MH]

BRE KENNEDY
@ Soulshine Pizza | 7pm | FREE | All Ages

Lightning 100’s local Artist of the Week, Bre Kennedy, performs from Friday Afternoon Live’s typical home of Soulshine Pizza, where the fun kicks off at 5 p.m., and the free music gets going at 7. Free tunes and delicious pizza are a great way to get your weekend going right, and after catching the rising indie pop singer in action, you still have plenty of other later show options to make the most of your musical weekend. [PO]

ARC & STONES w/ SWEETTALKER, THE COLD STARES, THE KILLING FLOOR
@ The Basement | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $6-8 | 21+

Local (via NYC) alt rockers Arc & Stones dropped their latest EP, Sunrise Surprise, this past March, and let us assure you it rips! With help from like minded locals Sweettalker, The Cold Stares, and the New York based outfit, The Killing Floor. You get all this raucousness for under ten bucks. So, if you’re looking to get your head bang on, this is the best show of the weekend to meet your fix. [JR]

MUSICIANS CORNER: KRIS ALLEN, SUGAR & THE HI-LOWS, PARKER MCKAY, LANEY JONES, GABE BURDULIS
@ Centennial Park | 5pm | FREE | All Ages

Musicians Corner fires back up after their brief summer break, and things kick off on Friday night with their acoustic sessions featuring some of top creme in town, top lined by Kris Allen and blog favorites Sugar & the Hi-Lows.  If you are in need of some music, but are short on dough, this is the no brainer way to start your weekend off right. [MH]

DJ SHADOW w/ TEEKO, QUIET ENTERTAINER
@ Marathon Music Works | 8:30pm (7pm doors) | $20-50 | All Ages

DJ/Producer DJ Shadow has been a staple in the hip-hop and electronica sphere for over 20 years now, and has most recently released a follow EP, The Mountain Has Fallen, as a response to his incredible 2016 release, The Mountain Will Fall. Besides his top notch production, Shadow also manages to pull in a-list guests for his music, including Thom Yorke, Danny Brown, Run The Jewels, Q-Tip and more.  This separately ticketed show is a pre-party for the inaugural Deep Tropics party that is taking place over the weekend, so there’s no telling what sort of shenanigans to expect to kick things off. Check out the incredible video for “Nobody Speak” below, and just imagine that’s how the G-20 really went down. [MH]

PAUL MCDONALD w/ THE FOXIES, DAVID BORNÉ
@ The Basement East | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $10 | 21+

Though he rose to national attention for appearing on American Idol a few years back, local resident singer-songwriter Paul McDonald has really been honing and refining his soulful pop rock sound in recent years, and with a new album, Modern Hearts, on the way, it’s a great time to see him in action. McDonald is rocking the east side this weekend along with great local acts The Foxies and David Borné, and is sure to be a night to remember. [PO]

SATURDAY

SPEWFEST 2: TAYLS, TTOTALS, METH DAD, MOM AND DAD, MIGHTY JABRONIS, MYSTERY TWINS, IAN FERGUSON, GUNTHER DOUG, DATENIGHT, THAT’S MY KID, H.A.R.D., HARI, MOUTH READER, WATCHER, SOFT CRUSH, & TONS MORE
@ The East Room & The Cobra | 3pm | $12-15 | 18+ (East) / 21+ (Cobra)

The inaugural Spewfest back in February was pretty epic, but Spewfest 2 looks to be even more jam-packed, boasting 33 bands across five stages at two venues all in just one day. If you’re dialed into the local punk, garage, psych rock, and indie scene, you should see dozens of familiar names, and, if anything, there’s TOO much good music unless you can be in two places at once. In addition to the many talented bands in the header above, you can peep the whole lineup and schedule right here, and be sure to snag those tickets in advance, because it’s bound to be packed. If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck this weekend, you won’t find a better show. [PO]

ALANNA ROYALE w/ THEM VIBES, CREATURE COMFORT
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10 | 18+

Local neo-soul outfit and long-time blog faves Alanna Royale are back in town for a highly anticipated homecoming at Exit/In this weekend, as the band have been touring incessantly since the release of their 2014 debut full-length, Achilles.  We’ve been hearing about new music from the AR camp for a while now, and this weekend you might get the chance to hear some for yourself.  This top notch, all local bill is rounded out by soulful rockers Them Vibes and 2017 Road to Roo winners Creature Comfort. Alanna Royale shows are a guaranteed good time, and, at only $10, this is a sure bet. [MH]

KROVI, GREY PEOPLE, ERIKA GLUCK
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $5 | 18+

Building on the moody, post-punk and new wave of his Depeche Mode and INXS loving former band, the short-lived Mother/Father, local artist James Farmer has quietly crafted solo vehicle KROVI into a formable new project, employing a sort of experimental, gothy, electronic laced and ’80s drenched sound that we absolutely love. KROVI’s been around a minute, but sort of off the radar, so whether you’re playing catchup or just now getting hip, a $5 show that also boasts Grey People and Erika Gluck sounds like a solid weekend pick. [PO]

AMANDA SHIRES, DAILEY & VINCENT, JERROD NIEMANN, JASON ISBELL, MCCRARY SISTERS, STEVE WARINER, DAVID BALL, & MORE
@ Grand Ole Opry | 7pm (6pm doors) | $38-95 | All Ages

We don’t often steer you towards the magnet of country music tourism, the Grand Ole Opry, but every once in awhile we’ll see a lineup that might be worth venturing out for. Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell, the insanely talented local husband and wife who’ve both put out spectacular new music this year, are amazing in any setting, and with Isbell’s high-profile Ryman residency all sold out, seeing him and Shires both take part in the legendary country variety show could be a be a fun consolation. From the way it’s billed, they’re likely to have their own slots, but we’d bet you’ll sell some collaboration between them. [PO]

BROTHER MAN, THE STIR, RUSTY SHIPP, NICK BRITT & BLACK MARKET RESEARCH
@ The Basement | 9pm (8:30pm doors) | $5-7 | 21+

Blues rock duo, and No Country presents alumni Brother Man have been generating buzz around town for a few years now, and if you haven’t experienced them live, do yourself a favor, and don’t pass up this opportunity. Packing this bill to the gills with top notch talent, look for The Stir, Rusty Shipp, plus Nick Britt & Black Market Research to give you an incredible amount of live music for just $7 at the OG Basement. This is easily one of our top picks for low dough show of the weekend, so if money is tight but you want to get out this weekend, look no further. [JR]

AUGUST ART CRAWL ft. JEAN-MICHAEL VISSEPO, SKYWAY MAN, METH DAD
@ Fort Houston | 6pm (music at 8pm) | FREE | All Ages

Fort Houston is bringing their popular art crawl series back, and will be highlighting the works of Puerto Rican visual artist Jean-Michael Vissepó as he returns to Nashville after 7 years away.  Expect a special night of music to accompany the art opening with a performance from cosmic art rocker Skyway Man and close out the night with a DJ set from Meth Dad.  Culture, music, and art for the price of FREE?  Yes, please. [MH]

LISTER BROTHERS w/ THE DAYBREAKS, LEIGH NASH
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm (7pm doors) | $7-10 | 18+

Nashville’s Lister Brothers have been banging around town since the mid 00s, and found early significant acclaim as half of Street Corner Symphony.  Since, the brothers (Richie, Jeremy, and Jonathan) have worked with a slew of artists and ventured out into solo project, and just released their debut album, Helium Ocean, under a new band name.  Head below to check out the title track to see how they have really gelled with their perfect pop tones.  Locals Leigh Nash and The Daybreaks are set to open in for what should be a great show. [MH]

MUSICIANS CORNER: ABIGAIL WASHBURN & WU FEI, MATTHEW PERRYMAN JONES, JADE BIRD, WHISKEY WOLVES OF THE WEST, & MORE
@ Centennial Park | 1:30pm (12pm gates) | FREE | All Ages

The official Saturday edition of Musician’s Corner kicks off again this weekend with performances from banjo goddess Abigail Washburn along with Chinese counterpart Wu Fei and her guzhing (a Chinese zither).  It goes without saying that this is going to be a worldly exploration into the world of strings that will appeal to any fan who appreciates music.  This bill also features standout local songwriter Matthew Perryman Jones, rising London based songwriter Jade Bird, and Whiskey Wolves Of The West.  The Lightning 100 acoustic portion of the show features a stellar lineup of up and coming artists including Nightingail, Albatross, and Beth Beighey.  The weather is looking fabulous for Saturday, making this one summer day that is perfect for music. [MH]

JOHN KAY & STEPPENWOLF
@ Ryman Auditorium | 8pm (7pm doors) | $39.50-69.50 | All Ages

Legends of 60s/70s hard rockers Steppenwolf are stopping in Music City this weekend, and there is still time to snag tickets for their “Magic Carpet Ride.” After some smash hits of yesteryear, including the iconic single “Born To Be Wild,” Steppenwolf have had bouts of inactivity, and some lineup changes, but the mastermind behind it all, John Kay, is still running the show and he’ll be rocking out the Mother Church for an audience of all ages. Don’t miss your chance to see a titan of rock at the best venue in Nashville. [JR]

DEEP TROPICS: PAPER DIAMOND, TROYBOI, BARCLAY CRENSHAW, MIJA, SNBRN, THE GASLAMP KILLER, QUANTIC, PEANUT BUTTER WOLF, JUSTIN MARTIN, SUPER DUPER, KDSML, & MORE
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 2pm | $50-299.99 | 18+

It’s no revelation that we aren’t the most dialed in to the EDM scene, but that doesn’t mean we don’t recognize a kickass party when we see it.  The inaugural Deep Tropics Fest takes place this weekend a War Memorial Auditorium, with performances inside the venue and in the courtyard, which will reportedly be “transformed into a sustainable eco-system of lush, tropical bliss.” Expect lots of dancing to some of the top beatmakers in the world at this unique event, and just hope some tourist cowboys get lost and wander by for additional entertainment. [MH]

SUNDAY

MARY J. BLIGE w/ LALAH HATHAWAY
@ Nashville Municipal Auditorium | 8pm | $31.25-92.90 | All Ages

I mean, do we really need to tell you why a Mary J. Blige show is a top weekend contender? The r&b/soul diva is literally a modern legend. She made What’s the 411? and No More Drama, so she literally has nothing she needs to prove and yet… and yet… she just dropped a phenomenal new album,  Strength of a Woman, featuring contributions from the likes of Kanye West, Missy Elliott, and more, asserting her continued modern relevance 25 years in. Go see Mary J. Blige and thank us later. [PO]

SNAIL MAIL w/ THE FUNS, DREAM WAVE
@ Drkmttr | 9:30pm (9pm doors) | $8 | All Ages

The solo vehicle of 17 year old Baltimore based indie rocker Lindsey Jordan, Snail Mail absolutely blew us away with last year’s debut EP, Habit. The earnest, lo-fi, folky effort is a personal, raw emotional masterpiece of an album, and firmly establishes Jordan as an artist to keep an eye on. Apparently the tastemakers at Third Man agree, as they’re actually presenting this show, which is happening at Drkmttr, and features support from The Funs and Dream Wave. For a DIY, all ages event and a chance to catch an exciting rising artist, this may be the best under the radar show all weekend. [PO]

JOE FLETCHER, SNAKES, NIGHTINGAIL
@ Fond Object (Riverside) | 5pm | $5 | All Ages

Riverside Village hand Fond Object has been celebrating the return of Game Of Thrones with some epic pre-screening parties of late.  This week’s edition features bad ass local songwriter Joe Fletcher and rising indie folkster Nightingail.  This bill also features a performance from Snakes, whom the venue claims “can’t find anything on this band, so it’s a mystery to all of us!,” However, it could sound like this.  Just another excuse to head over there to get in the know. [MH]

REGULAR OF THE OBSCENE w/ RUN LIKE HELL, FERAL CONSERVATIVES
@ The End | 8pm | $7 | 18+

Virginia Beach folky, indie rockers Feral Conservatives hit Nashville as part of their southeast tour this weekend, and they’ll perform alongside ska rockers Regular of the Obscene and alt rock outfit Run Like Hell. It’s a bit of a weird mix, but if you’re interested in sampling something new, it sounds like a cool bill. [PO]

LUCIE SILVAS w/ KEELAN DONOVAN
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $10 | All Ages

British songwriter Lucie Silvas has spent a lot of time in Nashville over the past few years, at least when she’s not incessantly touring, and she recently released her first new music since her 2015 LP Letter To Ghosts.  Head below to hear a live version of new single “Just For The Record” to see why this special talent is a perfect fit for Music City. Poppy folk songwriter Keelan Donovan kicks off another evening of the long running Nashville Sunday Night event. [MH]

DEEP TROPICS: GRAMATIK, BOB MOSES, THE POLISH AMBASSADOR, SANGO, QUANTIC, MACHINEDRUM, JADE CICADA, DESERT HEARTS CREW, MIKEY LION, LEE REYNOLDS, MARBS, PORKCHOP, 10TH LETTER, KDSML, & MORE
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 2pm | $50-299.99 | 18+

The inaugural Deep Tropics wraps their full weekend with a full Sunday Funday packed with another diverse lineup that should have every EDM loving music fan completely worn out at work on Monday. [MH]

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