Tomato Art Fest is the big show stealer this weekend with musical events (and a world record attempt) happening on Friday and Saturday. If you aren’t a fan of the big crowds (or fruit-vegetables), fret not fearless music lover, this weekend is still spacked to the gills with shows both big and small happening all over town. Dig in below to plan your weekend with this week’s edition of TWiN.
FRIDAY
TOMATO ART FEST KICK-OFF: FUTUREBIRDS, BECCA MANCARI, WATERFALL WASH
@ 11th Ave b/t Woodland & Holly | 6pm | FREE | All Ages
Though the main event is Saturday, Tomato Art Fest gets going the night before with its annual free kick-off concert (as well as a world record attempt). The lineup is lean but stacked, with Americana-tinged Athens indie rockers Futurebirds, budding local alt country star Becca Mancari, and our buds in genre-bending, poppy, punky, indie outfit Waterfall Wash. Read more about the whole thing right here. [PO]
CHASE HUGLIN w/ CASEY BOLLES, BOGUES
@ Hound Dog Commons | 7pm | $10-12 | All Ages
Indiana transplant Chase Huglin has been low-key asimilating into the local indie punk scene, adopting an earnest, acoustic, emotionally resonant style that has earned him a lot of buzz over the past couple of years. Performing at east side DIY space Hound Dog Commons, Huglin will be joined this weekend by two likeminded performers, acoustic/emo/indie singer Casey Bolles and rising local artist Bogues, who will be making a rare full band appearance. This is a stacked bill, and a perfectly intimate setting to experience these fantastic artists. [PO]
IRON CAGES, NEGRA, T-34, DIRT
@ Drkmttr | 8pm | $7 | All Ages
Hailing from the one-time epicenter of hardcore, Washington, DC, Iron Cages are a ferocious, fast, politically charged hardcore outfit that definitely nod to their city’s ’80s heyday. The raucous group hit Drkmttr this weekend, with local support from Negra, T-34, and Dirt, making it a best bet if you’re in search for a straight up punk show. [PO]
THE EXPLORERS CLUB w/ THE BEECH BENDERS, JOHN CONDIT
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm (7pm doors) | $10 | 18+
Charleston, SC based five man pop rock power house The Explorers Club are headlining a tasty bill at Mercy Lounge that is quite reasonably priced at just ten beans. Look for surf rock flavored friends of the blog The Beech Benders, and fuzz rock guru John Condit (from The Inscape) to kick things off at Mercy. If the crowds of Tomato Fest aren’t your thing, this show could be just the ticket. [JR]
MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 LIVE!
@ TPAC’s James K. Polk Theater | 7pm & 10pm | $39.50-77 | All Ages
Cult sci-fi movie riff show Mystery Science Theater 3000 was recently rebooted by Netflix, with the original creative team intact, but new faces on screen. For the first time ever, new host Jonah Ray and creator Joel Hodgson are taking the show on the road, with a stop in Nashville for two different, completely unique, and separately ticketed shows, which feature live riffs, sketches, interactivity, and special guests. This isn’t exactly a concert, but it’ll nonetheless be a treat for any devout MST3K fan. [PO]
DRIVIN’ N’ CRYIN’ w/ BIRDCLOUD
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $15 | 18+
With a career spanning three decades, southern hard rockers Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ have built a diehard fan base over the years, while occasionally flirting with the mainstream. Setting the table for similar sounding acts that have followed, like Drive-By Truckers and Jason Isbell, DNC are one of those bands that your favorite band listens to, so if you’re not hip to them, what better chance to get a taste than this weekend. If you are a fan already, we’ll expect to see there. Throw in local outlaw country smut queens Birdcloud, and you’ve got one hell of a show on your hands. [JR]
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR w/ STAGES AND STEREOS, KYLE LUCAS, ASHLAND, LEANDER, CITY UNDER SIEGE
@ The End | 7:30pm (6:30pm doors) | $10-12 | 18+
Though singer Ryan Dunson has kept the spirit of the project alive intermittently enough keep them from ever officially disbanding, indie/pop/punks Rookie of the Year have essentially been on hiatus for half a decade, and haven’t toured as a full band in seven years. No doubt fueled by the recent wave of ’00s pop punk nostalgia, the group hit Nashville for the first time in ages this weekend, supported by Stages and Steros, Kyle Lucas, Ashland, Leander, and City Under Stage. That’s a lot of bands for your buck, and if you’re feeling nostalgia for the poppier side of punk of the latter half of last decade, it’s sure to hit the spot. [PO]
THE CUNNING
@ Soulshine Pizza | 7pm | FREE | All Ages
It’s been a big week for East Nashville rockers The Cunning, as they are celebrating the release of their sophomore EP, Run Through The Desert last weekend. This week, as you may have heard on Lightning 100, they landed a much desired Artist of the Week slot. Per usual, their week long run will culminate in a free show at Soulshine Pizza on Friday night, making this a perfect way to catch some great music while letting go of another long week. [MH]
SATURDAY
TOMATO ART FEST: SMOOTH HOUND SMITH, OKEY DOKEY, SKYWAY MAN, THEM VIBES, DADDY ISSUES, CALEB GROH, IAN FERGUSON, LEAN, BIG SURR, & MORE
@ Five Points | 10am | FREE | All Ages
We already gave you the full Tomato Fest rundown right here, and the lineup is certainly too massive to cover in one single blurb. Situated around Five Points, you’ll find free, local music scattered across four stages, with frequent site faves like Daddy Issues, Okey Dokey, Ian Ferguson, Skyway Man, Big Surr, and Lean among the many performers. Things kick off early, so be sure to take a look at the schedule. [PO]
DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL w/ THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, THE MAINE, THE SOCIAL ANIMALS
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 7:30pm | $29.50-45 | All Ages
If you missed out on Dashboard Confessional‘s six-show Basement East and Basement run earlier this year, you have another great chance to see the resurrected, now locally based emo pioneers in action this weekend at Ascend Amphitheater. And, as if getting to scream infidelities live wasn’t enough, alt/pop rockers The All-American Rejects, earnest alt rock outfit The Maine, and indie rockers The Social Animals support. There’s even a Groupon going for a limited time. [PO]
DEADBEAT BEAT
@ Grimey’s | 5pm | FREE | All Ages
w/ DIRT, BLEARY, ASHER HORTON
@ Drkmttr | 9pm (8pm doors) | $7 | All Ages
You have two chances to see breezy, poppy, Detroit indie rockers Deadbeat Beat this weekend. Celebrating their new debut LP, When I Talk to You, the trio will first stop by Grimey’s for a free in-store, then, later Saturday night, they’l head up a show at Drkmttr, with support from Dirt, Bleary, and Asher Horton. Without a doubt one of the best under the radar shows of the weekend, this one definitely warrants your attention. [PO]
THE GOTOBEDS w/ QUAILBONES, THE MUMZEES
@ The End | 8pm | $7 | 18+
Fusing elements of grungy punk, dour post-punk, and sludgy indie rock, Pittsburg’s The Gotobeds captured our attention with their 2016 sophomore LP and Sub Pop debut Blood // Sugar // Secs // Traffic. Still somewhat under the radar, they’re a buzzy punk outfit to keep an eye on, and you won’t regret catching them at a tiny room like The End, for just a few bucks, while it’s still an option. Qualbones and The Mumzees support. [PO]
KANOPI
@ Halcyon Bike Shop | 9pm (7:30pm doors) | FREE | All Ages
Local (via Chattanooga) psych/prog rock four piece Kanopi are celebrating the release of their debut LP, King V, with a record release show in the friendly confines of Halcyon Bike Shop in the 12 South area. This show is all ages and free, plus it’s BYOB if you want to make a night of it. Help support another rising local collective of musicians as they help our indie scene continue to flourish. [JR]
MUSICIANS CORNER: THE SECRET SISTERS, ADIA VICTORIA, SHANNON LABRIE, THAD KOPEC, THE CARMONAS, JOSEPH BRADSHAW, STEPHCYNIE
@ Centennial Park | 1:30pm (12pm gates) | FREE | All Ages
Musicians Corner continues their summer season this Saturday with another stellar lineup. This week features a set from Americana sibling duo The Secret Sisters, who are rising fast in the wake of their latest LP, You Don’t Own Me Anymore, which demands your attention. Of course, this event features a lot more for your musical pleasure including the gothic southern blues of Adia Victoria, the soulful Shannon Labrie, psych-tinged songwriter Thad Kopec, Americana outfit The Carmonas, and more. Looking for a free family (and pet) friendly entertainment? Here’s your midtown solution. [MH]
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO, JOE ELY
@ City Winery | 8pm (6pm doors) | $35-48 | All Ages
Punk veteran turned alt-country singer-songwriter extraordinaire Alejandro Escovedo has been crafting amazing and diverse music since the ’70s, and throughout his many years and projects, has become something of a modern legend. Still touring in support of his 2016 solo release, Burn Something Beautiful, Escovedo is set to follow up his January visit with a follow up this weekend at City Winery along with Joe Ely. [MH]
PERPETUAL GROOVE w/ CBDB
@ The Basement East | 9pm (8pm doors) | $18-20 | 18+
We’ve been hyping this one for a while now, and we even gave you a shot at free tickets last week, but the time has finally come for southern rock performers Perpetual Groove to return to Music City. Expect a full reminder ahead of the show, but know this now: P Groove has been to known to jam it out, so bring your dancing shoes. With prog rockers CBDB in the warm-up spot, it promises to be a top show of the weekend, despite some fierce competition. [JR]
JIM JEFFERIES
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 8pm (7pm doors) | $39.50-116 | All Ages
Australian standup comedian and rising star Jim Jefferies will be performing at the Mother Church Saturday, and, if you need a break from the typical night out, or you’re just not in the mood for live music, this might be just the ticket. Known for a slew of popular standup specials, and his new Comedy Central late night talk show, The Jim Jefferies Show, Jim has proven he is big enough to earn his spot on the world famous Ryman stage. If you need take a break from your troubles, and you want to laugh while you do it, this is your best option of the weekend. [JR]
SUNDAY
ROGER WATERS
@ Bridgestone Arena | 8pm (7pm doors) | $50.50-195 | All Ages
Legendary English singer songwriter, composer, bassist, and vocal political activist Roger Waters is bringing his immersive Us + Them Tour to Music City. Best known as the co-founder of the hugely influential progressive/psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd, Waters initially just played bass, but following the departure of original lead singer Syd Barrett in 1968, he also became Pink Floyd’s lyricist, co-lead vocalist, and conceptual leader. In addition to a wealth of new, post-Floyd material, Roger will be performing some the band’s most famous songs from their seminal albums like Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, and Wish You Were Here, so fans should already know this is a not to be missed event. On a weekend stretch that is literally jam packed with talent varying in all shapes and sizes, this very well might be the “biggest” show of the bunch, so don’t miss it! [JR]
FLORAL PRINT, SALLOW, SHELL OF A SHELL, OVERGROWN
@ Drkmttr | 8pm | $7 | All Ages
Drkmttr is not messing around this weekend, maintaining its reputation as one of the city’s best-curated, truly DIY show spaces. Sunday night sees a stop from Atlanta’s Floral Print, whose mathy, ambient, poppy, genre-bending indie sound is captivating. Local support comes from ambient punks Sallow, experimental rockers Shell of a Shell, and Overgrown, formerly Plant Parenthood, for a wonderfully well-paired lineup. [PO]
SLOW AND STEADY w/ WOOLBRIGHT, FRNDS, NEW THREADS, THE STILL SMALL VOICE
@ Springwater Supper Club | 8:30pm | $5 | 21+
Nashville based via Austin, Slow and Steady is the musical vehicle of talented singer-songwriter Jacob Lawter, who we’ve obsessed over on numerous occasions. Channeling influences of classic emo, early ’00s pop punk, and melodic indie rock, Lawter celebrates the two-year anniversary of his debut LP, the absolutely captivating In Time We Belong, with a special show at Springwater, where he’ll play it front to back for the first and likely last time with a full band, before focusing on the band’s next musical chapter. That alone should be enough to get you out, but with the addition of Florida alt/emo outfit Woolbright, local indie/emo band FRNDS, grungy rockers New Threads, and melodic indie outfit The Still, Small Voice. Don’t sleep on this show! [PO]
SANTANA
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 7:30pm | $35.50 | All Ages
Is it easy or hard to believe that Santana have been around for over 50 years? Or maybe it easier to believe when you think that guitar virtuoso Carlos Santana and his crew have been in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for almost 20 years. If you don’t know who the multiple Grammy winner, top selling artist of all time, owners of super hits are, then you should probably just give up on your self-proclaimed “love of music.” [MH]
BENT KNEE w/ THE CHEWERS, BASIC PRINTER
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $10-12 | 18+
Boston group Bent Knee are known for their blend of art pop, industrial and experimental rock, and avant-garde, centered around the dynamic vocals of talented singer Courtney Swain. The unique band headline The High Watt this weekend in support of their latest album, Land Animal, and with likeminded local rockers The Chewers and experimental synthpop project Basic Printer pegged to support, this will be a great outing for those looking for an artsy, alternative to so much of the same. [PO]
A DRUG CALLED TRADITION, TTOTALS
@ Fond Object (Riverside) | 7pm | $5 | All Ages
There are only two more episodes in this year’s part of the Game of Thrones finale, and Riverside Village hang Fond Object has been celebrating all season long with viewing parties that get started with some live music in the back yard, with Twin Peaks screenings happening after Thrones as well.mWrap up this weekend with some sweet psych rock from Atlanta’s A Drug Called Tradition and local shredders Ttotals, then stick around to find out who will be the latest victim in Westeros. [MH]
PJ MORTON w/ ASH.
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm (7pm doors) | $20 | 18+
R&B singer-songwriter and producer PJ Morton is perhaps best known for being a member of Maroon 5, but for many years has also cultivated an impressive solo career, combining the sounds of his New Orleans upbringing with contemporary r&b, funk, soul, pop and hip hop. His latest, self-released new effort Gumbo is an eclectic and impressive mix of the singer’s broad swath of influences, and feels especially honed from his acclaimed work as a songwriter and producer for other prominent artists. Along with Ash., you can end your weekend with a PJ Mortion show at Mercy Lounge, which sounds like a pretty enticing option. [PO]
MICHELLE BRANCH w/ HAERTS
@ Marathon Music Works | 8pm (7pm doors) | $23-125 | All Ages
Michelle Branch has seen a resurgence in her career with the release of her latest record, Hopeless Romantic, which sees the former teen pop star really (ahem) branch out into her own voice. The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney helped Branch find that voice as the producer of the new record, and, now engaged, he is spending his summer playing drums in her touring band. Brooklyn based indie pop outfit Haerts, who garnered a lot of buzz with their 2014 self-titled release, are opening, and based on the smattering of new singles this year, you may just be hearing about their upcoming record. [MH]
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain
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