TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Aug. 18–20

It’s a bit of a scaled down weekend around town, but that only refers to an brief dip in major headlining acts and outdoor festival events, because the local options are plentiful and wallet friendly.  Is everyone just gearing up for the big eclipse on Monday?  Probably.  Of course, living in Music City, there are plenty of smaller billed shows that should provide some kick ass musical entertainment, so head below to check out our top show picks for this weekend, and get out to see some live music.

FRIDAY

SAD PENNY w/ REUBEN BIDEZ, JAMES ETHAN CLARK, BYRUM
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10 | 18+

Jo Meredith rose to our attention as one half of local Americana duo The Saint Johns, but recently took a solo turn with new project Sad Penny, which builds on her prior band’s sound while establishing as more poppy, hypnotic rock direction. Along with Reuben Bidez, James Ethan Clark, and Byrum, this promises to be another great showcase of local singer-songwriter talent, and a perfect choice for those looking for more low-key, retro vibes. [PO]

BIG LUNCH w/ THE RANGOS, DOWN BOY, FUGLY SCREW & THE 2×4
@ The End | 9pm | $5 | 18+

If you are looking for some fuzz fueled alt-rock that harkens back to the ’90s grunge revolution, then this just might be the show for you with a flurry of local bands that should be on your radar.  Big Lunch are a local duo of Ben Bracey (guitar/vox) and Chelsea Peebles (drums), and they have just released a self titled debut album that is rife with hard hitting grunge inspired alt-rock.  They are joined by similarly flavored acts The Rangos, who are also celebrating new music, local psych tinged alt-rockers Down Boy, and upstart punks Fugly Screw & The 2x4s. [MH]

 FERRIS AND THE WHEELS w/ ZOBRODOME, FOXKEEPER, LIONS FOR REAL
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm (8pm doors) | $5 | 21+

Helping get you prepped for the eclipse a few days early, this “Total Solar Rock ‘n’ Roller” at The 5 Spot is packed to the gills with local talent, with genre-bending rockers Ferris and the Wheels, proggy, experimental outfit Zobodrome, indie pop up and comer FOXKEEPER, and funk-flavored group Lions for Real. For just $5, you can’t go wrong. [PO]

THE GRIPSWEATS w/ TENNESSEE MUSCLE CANDY, CENOTES
@ The Basement | 9pm (8:30pm doors) | $6-8 | 21+

What began as a studio project at the local G.E.D. Soul Records studio, bandleader Andrew Muller has transformed The Gripsweats into a formidable force in the local soul and funk scene. The group bring their hypnotizing, instrumental stylings to The Basement this weekend, along with garage pop singer Tennessee Muscle Candy and soulful outfit Cenote, for yet another great, wallet-friendly local option. [PO]

WILLIAM MATHENY, LAURA MAE SOCKS, TIM EASTON
@ The East Room | 9pm | $5 | 18+

It’s a night of introspective songwriting at The East Room on Friday night, as they host West Virginia bred singer songwriter William Matheny.  No stranger to Nashville, Matheny’s captivating songwriting and well executed alt-country style, which are showcased on his well-received debut, Strange Constellations, earlier this year, will be a highlight in such an intimate venue.  He’s joined by rising throwback country artist Laura Mae Socks, and standout local songwriter Tim Easton. [MH]

LOS LOBOS
@ City Winery | 8pm (6pm doors) | Sold Out | All Ages

Chicano rock legends Los Lobos have been turning heads since their inception in East Los Angeles during the late ’70s. Translated “The Wolves,” they play a unique version of rock, spiced with the blues, Americana, r&b, country, and even a little cow punk. Finding a very special place in the hearts of the Hispanic community and beyond, Los Lobos have build a rock solid fan base with nearly twenty records worth of material. We hope you got tickets to these titans in their field do their thing in an intimate setting like City Winery early, because it sold out in advance. [JR]

SATURDAY

CULT FICTION, NURSE, GRAVEL, CHAINSHOT, NEGRA, DATENIGHT
@ Drkmttr | 8pm | $7 | All Ages

Drkmttr has firmly established itself as a dependable weekend option for quality and diverse DIY shows. This weekend is no different, with an especially packed out lineup with three touring and three local acts, all for just $7. Boston’s Cult Fiction bring old school punk intensity, as do fellow Bostonians Gravel. Hailing from Atlanta, Nurse cover the hardcore end of the spectrum, and locals Chainshot, experimental punks Negra and garage punks Datenight round out the bill- this is definitely the best straight up punk show you’ll find all weekend. [PO]

LEE BAINS III & THE GLORY FIRES w/ CHARLIE ABBOTT, & INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
@ The End | 8pm | $10 | 18+

Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires are touring in celebration of their recently released LP, Youth Detention, which sees the Birmingham band continue their sonic exploration of “Alabama Rock,” a blending of southern genres like soul, country, and rock and roll played through an unforgiving punk filter.  Their live shows really showcase their hard hitting, fast paced style, and this easily could be the loudest, most ripping show you’ll see all weekend.  Blog fave, rocker Charlie Abbott kicks things off along with local poppy alt-rockers International Friendly. [MH]

SON VOLT, BLANK RANGE, BRANDY ZDAN, WILDER, LEAH BLEVINS, EMILY KOPP, COLE BRUCE TRIO
@ Centennial Park | 1:30pm (12pm gates) | FREE | All Ages

Musicians Corner continues this weekend with a notable headliner in Son Volt, the alt-country project of former Uncle Tupelo co-founder Jay Farrar, as they continue to celebrate the release of Notes of Blue from earlier this year. They will be joined on the main stage with a standout local bill featuring some blog faves.  Blank Range are gearing up for their highly anticipated record, Marooned With The Treasure, later this month, Brandy Zdan has been playing out a lot of late with new songs from a reported upcoming record, and Wilder are gearing up for a big fall on tour with Kaleo and NEEDTOBREATHE. The acoustic stage at this family and pet friendly event features Leah Blevins, Emily Kopp, and Cole Bruce Trio, and, as always, you get all of this for FREE! [MH]

DAVID BARBE w/ T. HARDY MORRIS
@ The Basement | 7pm (6:30pm doors) | $10 | 21+

Twang flavored garage rocker, producer, and songwriter David Barbe is a pretty big name is his native Athens, GA, and beyond, working with popular acts like Deerhunter, Drive-By Truckers, and Son Volt. After a extended hiatus, he’s back with a new solo record that drops Friday via Orange Twin Records. Entitled 10th of Seas, the talented Barbe every instrument on the LP, as well as handling engineering. Look for T. Hardy Morris (Dead Confederate, Diamond Rugs) to kick things off on kick ass night of music which will only cost you a ten spot. [JR]

BLACK MOON MOTHER, CHILL WITCH, SHADOWTONES, ANNACHRISTIE
@ The East Room | 9pm (8pm doors) | $5 | 18+

The East Room has booked a very diverse set of shows this weekend, and Saturday night they present the debut show for Black Moon Mother, which features members of Ascent of Everest, Western Medication, Greywoods, and Beef Oven.  Black Moon Mother are celebrating the release of their trippy, ambient debut album Sea of Dust, which just released last week.  They are joined by an eclectic bill featuring the chill vibey tunes of Chill Witch, surf-tinged rockers The Shadowtones, and Annachristie Sapphire.  Liquid visual effects and tarot card readings are also available.  Get local.  [MH]

HURTS TO LAUGH w/ TOWER DEFENSE, SECRET CLUB
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $5 | 18+

Mixing elements of stoner rock, metal, surf, and indie rock, Hurts to Laugh are celebrating the release of their latest, Hope It Works Out, earlier this year. They’ve been around the scene for a minute, but if you haven’t yet gotten acquainted, this weekend is as great opportunity to do so, especially with poppy, post-punk outfit Tower Defense and poppy, punk-tinged rockers Secret Club rounding out the bill, and for just $5. [PO]

UMPHREY’S MCGEE
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 7pm | $25-30 | All Ages

Achieving “cult following” status in the world of jam bands, Umphrey’s McGee are actually a bit more influenced by legacy prog rock acts like Yes, Pink Floyd, and Frank Zappa, than say the Grateful Dead. However they still subscribing to the jam scene culture of ever changing and cover friendly setlist, improvisation, crazy diehard fans, and open recording policies. Umph shows are always quite the spectacle; on par with legends of the game Phish, and a top show for us at Bonnaroo 2017. Bring some friends to what promises to be one of the best dance parties of the weekend, and be sure to wear comfortable shows! [JR]

ZOOGMA w/ SOLID SAUCE
@ Mercy Lounge | 11pm (10pm doors) | $10-13 | 18+

Hosting the official Umphrey’s McGee afterparty throwdown will be local (via Atlanta) electronica/rock outfit Zoogma, and if you simply can’t let the party end after Umph’s show at Ascend, you better get your but to Mercy afterwards. Big believers in giving all their music away for free via their official site, Zoogma are easy to love, especially when you’re already in the dancing mood! If you get there on time, be sure to enjoy like minded brethren Solid Sauce, and no matter what you do, make sure your out and about this weekend enjoying live music! [JR]

SUNDAY

COASTLANDS w/ MUIR, LAWNDRY
@ The East Room | 8pm | 18+

Portland, OR based instrumental post-rock outfit Coastlands are touring in support of their pretty excellent two EPs released last year.  If you are a fan of Explosions in the Sky style soundscapes, this is a show that you should definitely consider ending your week with.  They are joined by local progressive post-metal rockers Muir and genre bending indie rockers Lawndry. We haven’t seen a price published for this one, but we’re willing to bet this stellar lineup will be a steal at $10 or less. [MH]

NAAN VIOLENCE w/ HR LEXY
@ Fond Object (Riverside Village) | 7pm (6:30pm doors) | $5 | All Ages

A name fitting for the troubled times in our country right now (but not necessarily as a warmup for Game of Thrones), solo sitar performer Naan Violence will take over the backyard of Fond Object on Sunday night for their weekly, of late, backyard weekend ending shindigs.  Of course, this isn’t a typical weekend as swarms of Nashvillians will inevitably be magically to-sick-to-work to take in nearly two minutes of eclipse on Monday, and synthy electro pop trio HR_Lexy should get you in the right mood to play hookey. [MH]

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