TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Sept. 8-10

Based on the weather, you would think this would be the perfect weather for jumping into piles of leaves.  Alas, your plans are foiled again.  The good news is that there is a full slate of great shows this weekend, and it’s a good time for you to satiate your musical appetite before the madness of AmericanaFest grips Music City starting next week.  Head below to see all of our staff picks for weekend happenings, and get out to see some live music.

FRIDAY

YOUNG THE GIANT w/ COLD WAR KIDS, JOYWAVE
@ Ascend Amphitheater | 7pm | $29.50-49.50 | All Ages

No stangers to Nashville, California alt/indie rockers Young the Giant return still riding on the buzz from last year’s radio primed third effort Home of the Strange. Energetic and fantastic live performers, who’ve been honing their craft for a over a decade, despite only breaking throughout to mainstream audiences with 2014’s Mind Over Matter, the band are joined by site faves and fellow Californians Cold War Kids, who’ve been lighting up the festival circuit this year, and New York indie rockers Joywave– a stacked outdoor show with this weekend weather sounds perfect. [PO]

PENNY & SPARROW w/ LOWLAND HUM
@ Marathon Music Works | 8:30pm (7pm doors) | $15-30 | All Ages

Craving some soothing indie folk to help kick off your weekend? Head over to Marathon Music Works to enjoy the sounds of eclectic duo Penny & Sparrow as they mark the release of their new record Wendigo. Be among the first to hear their new tunes, and get there early to enjoy Charlottesville, Virginia’s own Lowland Hum, who will be supplying hypnotizing harmonies and honest, heartfelt story-songs. [LL]

KILLA TOMATO FEST: DEDSA, EAGLE JOHNSON & CLEAN MACHINE, DAMNED RIVERS, THE RAGCOATS, ARIEL BUI, PENNY SHEETS, K-DA, KIDDEAD, QUIET ENTERTAINER, ADDER, SINCE WHEN?
@ The Cobra | 8pm | $10/day – $25/weekend | 21+

Our pals at Palaver Records find themselves in the middle of yet another killer, ecelectic weekend party, dubbed Killa Tomato Fest, this time with label Invisible Library.  They kick the three day, two venue event off on Friday with a full stage of hip hop featuring locals Since When?, Quiet Entertainer, kidDEAD, LA based Adder, and more.  The opposite stage will feature an eclectic lineup of rockers including psych outfit DEDSA, No Country Presents alums Eagle Johnson & Clean Machine, Damned Rivers, and more.  Full details are available at the event’s Facebook page. [MH]

MXPX w/ FIVE IRON FRENZY
@ Exit/In | 8pm (7pm doors) | Sold Out | 18+

Famed Washington punks MxPx return to Nashville for the first time in a decade, for a pair of shows this weekend at Exit/In. With support from Five Iron Frenzy, it didn’t surprise us when both nights sold out fast, but those in attendance are in for a night of some of the best, most influential, and unwavering real deal pop punk of the last 25 years. [PO]

HARDCASTLE w/ PARROTFISH, QUIET PLEASE, THE BAND CAMINO
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $5-7 | 18+

Adopting a sort of anthemic, dreamy, pop friendly alt rock sound in the vein of indie radio mainstays like The Neighbourhood and The 1975, locals Hardcastle are and up and coming outfit you should definitely have an eye on. Catch ’em with Tampa alt rockers Parrotfish, Dallas alt rockers Quiet, Please, and likeminded Memphis group The Band Camino Friday at The High Watt. [PO]

JUDAH & THE LION
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 7:30pm (6:30pm doors) | Sold Out | All Ages

We hope you snagged tickets to catch local, red hot indie/alt rockers Judah & The Lion at this weekend’s two-night Ryman run when they went on sale many, many months ago, because it has unsurprisingly sold out. Already large players locally, Judah are now catching on nationally, with spins on SiriusXM radio’s Alt Nation, and a recent Billboard Spotify playlist Tuesday take over. They continue a U.S. tour after these dates, so it might be a while until we see them pass this way again- when they do, be sure to act fast! [JR]

NEW MAN, FIELD DAYS, CHARLIE & THE EVIL MOTHERS
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $5 | 21+

Local musical tastemakers We Own This Town are presenting a worthwhile low dough show at The 5 Spot to introduce you to some new up and coming local acts.  New Man is the new project from Cody Newman, who you may remember from his band Codaphonic a few years ago.  The new sound is a bit more retro, as you can hear in the debut single “Maybe I’m Feeling Fine,” but retains that same pop sweetness that first caught the attention of the local music scene.  Field Days is the pop project of Patrick Damphier, who has recently spent a good bit of time working on records for The Arcs and The Mynabirds, and will fit the bill perfectly.  Charlie & the Evil Mothers kick things off with their similarly veined guitar pop. If you are looking for a night of rock that outside of your norm, this is a top option. [MH]

SIMO
@ The Basement East | 8pm (7pm doors) | $12-15 | 21+

Fans of the blog probably already know how much we dig SIMO, a local psychedelic blues, Brit invasion inspired, countrified rock trio. Keeping things moving after last year’s stellar effort, Let Love Show The Way, frontman JD Simo and co. are poised to officially drop their latest offering, Rise & Shine, Sept. 15. However, fans can get their hands on a copy one week early at their very special record release show this weekend. Catch them while you can, because after this gig, they’ll be on the road through the end of October, so let’s send them off in style, at The BEast this Friday! [JR]

KEVIN GRIFFIN w/ MILO GREENE
@ City Winery | 8pm (6pm doors) | $25-35 | All Ages

Better Than Ezra founder and now local, awarded songwriter Kevin Griffin is gearing up for a solo show at City Winery on Friday night, which is sure to be an awesome intimate experience for fans of the band.  If you need additional encouragement, Kevin will also be giving away a pair of tickets to the upcoming Pilgrimage Festival, which he co-founded.  He’ll be joined by LA based indie pop outfit Milo Greene who are in town wrapping their upcoming third LP.  Bonus! [MH]

REIGN w/ MICHAEL MCQUAID, PAID VACATION
@ The Back Corner | 7pm (6pm doors) | $5 | 21+

Earlier this year, we introduced you to local duo Reign, who started out a few years back as a garage rock band, before gravitating towards indie pop, and crafting their strong, synthy, hypnotic debut EP Until Tomorrow- one of the year’s standout local releases. As their presence continues to rise, the group are set to play newish venue space The Back Corner this weekend, for a wallet-friendly show along with Michael McQuaid and Paid Vacation. If you’re looking for a cool pop show, you can’t go wrong. [PO]

TANK AND THE BANGAS w/ SWEET CRUDE
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm (8pm doors) | Sold Out | 18+

Winners of the 2017 NPR Tiny Desk Contest, New Orleans’ Tank and The Bangas fuse funk, soul, and hip hop with the flair of their hometown, crafting edgy, endlessly fun shows that translate remarkably well with their energetic live show. We loved them this year at Bonnaroo, and apparently we weren’t the only ones, as their Mercy Lounge show is all sold out. If you didn’t get tickets, maybe next time! [PO]

SATURDAY

BENT DENIM w/ OCTOBER TOOTH, NO RITUAL
@ The Basement | 9pm (8:30pm doors) | $7 | 21+

We’ve been hyping this show headlined by chilled out ambient pop duo Bent Denim for over a week now, but if you don’t know already, this is one of our top picks for yet another very busy weekend in Music City. The mostly local bill also features minimalist indie rockers October Tooth, and garage punks No Ritual. Top to bottom, we throughly enjoy all the music on this bill, so scrape together seven bones, and get to the OG Basement to help support our growing indie rock scene. [JR]

GIRL TALK w/ BIYO
@ Marathon Music Works | 8:30pm (7pm doors) | $25-50 | All Ages

Gregg  Michale Gillis, better known by his DJ name Girl Talk, will be stopping in on Nashville this weekend, and fans of dance music and mashups already know what time it is. Trained as an engineer, he has (arguably) become the king of the hyper-fast, mashed up, synched-sample subgenre. Mr. Gillis has built a reputation for combing two seemingly singular songs into some entirely unique Frankenstein monster, always powered with heavy hitting beats. Wear comfortable cloths, because this will BE A BANGER. With help from local DJ duo performers BIYO, it promises to one of the best shows of the weekend; don’t miss it!  [JR]

MXPX w/ FIVE IRON FRENZY
@ Exit/In | 8pm (7pm doors) | Sold Out | 18+

Just like night one, night two of MxPx and Five Iron Frenzy at Exit/In has been sold out for months. If you were hoping to hear classics from Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo, Panic, and more in the intimate confines of a perfectly punk-suited rock block haunt, you’re probably going to have to wait a number of years, or perhaps plan a road trip if they pass anywhere nearby sooner. [PO]

SATURDAY SERVICE: TEDDY & THE ROUGH RIDERS, JUSTIN AND THE COSMICS, THE SHADOWTONES, TWEN, BUMMR CITY, TELEFONES
@ The East Room | 8pm (7pm doors) | $10 | 18+

Saturday Service was organized as a fundraising event by The First Church of Rock N Roll-Music City USA to support The Tennessee Vals, a Nashville based organization devoted to helping transgendered individuals connect and find support while educating people on the issues. This is an important issue, and an open event for those that want to support or learn more.  Per usual around these parts, they have enlisted the help of some blog faves to provide the entertainment, including Teddy & The Rough Riders, Justin & The Cosmics, The Shadowtones, TWEN, Bummr City, and Telefones.  This one isn’t really about the music, but it’s hard not to mention this stacked, stellar, local lineup. [MH]

KILLA TOMATO FEST: COUNTERFEIT MONEY MACHINE, SINGING BUTCHER, ADAM FAUCETT, FAUNA HALO, RACHEL KATE, STUCK LUCKY, SPOKEN NERD, JOHN REUBEN, DALE J. GORDON, THE CHERRY BEARS, CLOUDMOUTH
@ The Cobra | 8pm | $10/day – $25/weekend | 21+

Hopefully, you went ahead and purchased the weekend pass for Killa Tomato Fest, because you’ll want to think about stopping back in to The Cobra on Saturday night as the eclectic lineup continues with everything from hip hop from Counterfeit Money and Spoken Nerd, and folk tinged rock tunes from the likes of Singing Butcher, Adam Faucett, and Rachel Kate.  You can dig into their Spotify playlist to really try to appreciate just how pleasantly all over the place this show will be. [MH]

SMALL TALKS, PONDER, SMALLVILLE, FRNDS, EUREKA MO
@ Sunnyvale | 7pm | $5 | All Ages

Here’s a house show so DIY we’re not even totally sure where the venue is, but for a lineup this solid, it’s worth asking a punk to track down. Duo Small Talks hail from Myrtle Beach, and a play a dreamy, poppy flavor of indie rock we’re obsessed with from first listen. With some solid alt and emo support from familiar locals Ponder, Smallville, FRNDS, and Eureka, MO, this evens out to a $1/band, and is without a doubt one of the coolest underground happenings of the weekend. [PO]

MUSICIANS CORNER: NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS, FUTURE THIEVES, OKEY DOKEY, EARLY JAMES AND THE LATEST, JENN BOSTIC, MONICA MOSER, J. WHALEY
@ Centennial Park | 1:30pm (12pm gates) | FREE | All Ages

With just two more weekends in the season, Musicians Corner is close to calling it quits for the year, so if you want to get it in, there is no time like the present. The free, all ages, summer long concert series held at Centennial Park will proudly be featuring prolific southern blues rockers North Mississippi Allstars, local favorites Future Thieves, No Country Presents alum Okey Dokey, plus a host of others, for an especially stacked Saturday. You get a full day of music, and it’s all over by 6, if you still want to make late dinner plans, or catch a movie, or venture to another show. [JR]

JILLETTE JOHNSON
@ Grimey’s | 5pm | FREE | All Ages

Nashville based singer-songwriter Jillette Johnson is celebrating the release of her sophomore album, All I Ever See In You Is Me, and it is definitely worth taking note of.  Featuring sparse instrumentation, nuanced lyricism, and soul melting vocals, Johnson will immediately appeal to fans of Lana Del Rey, but, dig in a little deeper, and you’ll hear the effect of super-producer Dave Cobb, who continues to notch solid effort after solid effort. [MH]

JUDAH & THE LION w/ THE LONELY BISCUITS, TYSON MOTSENBOCKER
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 7:30pm (6:30pm doors) | Sold Out | All Ages

As stated above, the Saturday night engagement for rising stars Judah & The Lion at The Ryman, with help from The Lonely Biscuits, and Tyson Motsenbocker, has been sold out for awhile. Better luck next time the locals pass through on their journey to higher and higher acclaim. Be sure not to hesitate! [JR]

STAGOLEE w/ THE FUTURE, KIERNAN MCMULLAN, LUCAS
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $5-7 | 18+

A longtime mainstay of the local rock scene, blues-dripped indie rockers Stagolee head up a great, inexpensive local show Saturday night at The High Watt, along with  danceable pop drenched rockers The Future, eclectic singer-songwriter Kiernan McMullan, and Lucas. [PO]

REPUBLICAN HAIR w/ THE FOXIES
@ The 5 Spot | 7pm | 21+

We’ve been following the rising success of Republican Hair on the Nashville circuit, but it was the recently released ear worm “Miss Prince” that left us destined to endlessly hum the melody.  If you haven’t gotten a chance to catch Republican Hair yet, this EP release show at The 5 Spot is a good chance to do so.  As they did last year, they are teaming up with Scout’s Barbershop to provide haircuts for those in need starting at 7 p.m., and The Foxies kick off the music at 9 p.m.  Need something more, bring a school supply or make a donation, as all proceeds go to Martha O’Bryan Center.  Head below to listen to “Miss Prince,” but don’t say we didn’t warn you. [MH]

ALEX CUBA
@ The Basement | 7pm (6:30pm doors) | $12 | 21+

Grammy awarded songwriter and guitarist Alex Cuba has spent years wowing crowds across the world with expertly crafted latin tracks that sway from sugar coated pop to guitar driven rock. It’s almost a shame that this show was slotted into the early slot at The Basement, but it also affords you the chance to get out to catch some true gem as an appetizer. [MH]

SUNDAY

BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS w/ LIGHTNIN MALCOLM
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm (7pm doors) | $15-17 | 18+

With a killer new album which feels like both a return to form and a confident step forward, Backlash, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears are gearing up to play their first Nashville headliner in four years this Sunday at Mercy Lounge. An electrifying, genre-bending, and unrivaled live force, Lewis and the band feel criminally underrated for just how much great music they’ve crafted and extensive touring they’ve undertaken over the last decade, and if you’ve yet to experience them live, this promises to be one of the fall’s coolest shows. Real deal bluesman Lightnin Malcolm opens things up. [PO]

CHUCK MOSLEY w/ RUSTY SHIPP, HURTS TO LAUGH
@ The Basement East| 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $10 | 21+

The frontman of Faith No More for their first two records in the mid-’80s, as well as the lead singer of hardcore punk legends Bad Brains for a brief stint in the early ’90s, funk metal pioneer Chuck Mosley has bounced between various other projects in recent years, even making a few surprise appearances with Faith No More, reconciling after a long falling out. Maintaining a cult following, Mosley has taken to performing both with a full band setup dubbed VUA, as well as more intimate unplugged shows in recent years, as he’s flexed his artistic muscle with solo work while celebrating his long career. Catch him with Rusty Shipp and Hurts to Laugh this weekend at The Basement East. [PO]

TAKING MEDS,  CALIFORNIA COUSINS, SECRET FRIENDS, SLIDER, KATY KIRBY AND BLAKETHEMAN1000
@ Cafe Coco | 7pm | $10 | All Ages

On tour from Rochester, NY, mathy, energetic indie punks Taking Meds and em0-laced, resonant indie punks California Cousins hit Cafe Coco for a great end of weekend DIY show. Throw in local support from Secret Friends, Slider, and Katy Kirby and Blaketheman1000, and this is one seriously enticing event. [PO]

NOFU, WAXED, CATFLAPS
@ Drkmttr | 9pm (8pm doors) | $7 | All Ages

Hailing all the way from Rome, NOFU play the type of old school, DIY hardcore that couldn’t be more perfectly suited for Drkmttr. It’s not easy for international bands to tour the states in the first place, but to see an Italian, DIY band for just $7 is wild, and should make this a weekend priority for any punk fan. Local thrashers Waxed and heavy punks CatFlaps are icing on the cake. [PO]

KILLA TOMATO FEST: WORK, STATE PARKS, VISTA BLUE, ISAAC STINSON, CHILL WAVE YOGA
@ The East Room | 6pm | $10/day – $25/weekend | 18+

Killa Tomato Fest wraps on Sunday, but across the street at The East Room.  The weekend pass will still get you in, and you can revel everything from Isaac Stinson‘s hip hop to Vista Blue‘s power pop. A little more low key than the proceeding two nights, this sounds like a great wind down after a stacked weekend. [MH]

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

Rescheduled from a couple weeks back, transcendental solo sitar performer Arjun Kulharya brings Naan Violence to the backyard of the original Fond Object this weekend. For just $5, the vibey, early show also features local electronic trio HR_Lexy, and, since Game of Thrones and Twin Peaks have wrapped, it’ll be followed by a movie night. [PO]

BEN SOLLEE AND KENTUCKY NATIVE w/ KEVIN SLATTERY
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $15-17 | 18+

Celebrated cellist Ben Sollee is back with a new ensemble, Kentucky Native, and it marks a return to form for the talented songwriter, who has been offering his hands to film scores in recent years.  Sollee’s latest release, Ben Sollee and Kentucky Native, dips a bit more into the Americana sphere than some of his earlier pop leaning efforts, but it is the classic Sollee that first found fame with. If you are a longtime fan or just a fan of music looking to end your weekend on a high note, this is a perfect excuse to get you off the couch in the absence of GoT and Twin Peaks. Kevin Slattery opens. [MH]

THOMAS WYNN & THE BELIEVERS w/ MATT BROWN
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | Sold Out | All Ages

Soulful, southern blues rock performers Thomas Wynn & The Believers are going to make believers of us all this Sunday at 3rd and Lindsley, if you managed to get tickets in time. Lightning 100 is welcoming the six member outfit to perform as part of their long running Nashville Sunday Night showcase, along with opener Matt Brown, and as always it will also be broadcast live on the radio. Just because it’s Sunday doesn’t mean there isn’t good times, and live music to be had; get out there and dive in head first! [JR]

[JR] Jacob Ryan
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain
[LL] Lorie Liebig