TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Sept. 22-24

The third annual Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival down in nearby Franklin is making the biggest waves, unless you consider the waves in the Cumberland River from crashing manmade flying vehicles at Red Bull’s Flugtag, this weekend with a stacked lineup including Justin Timberlake, Eddie Vedder, Ryan Adams, Mavis Staples, The Avett Brothers, and tons more.  We have full festival previews for Saturday and Sunday that you can check out here to get you up to speed, if you managed to score tickets before they sold out.  If the festival scene isn’t your in your wheelhouse (or bank account), or if you want to make your post-Pilgrimage nights late ones, there are number of other more than worthy shows going on around town that deserve your attention as well.  Head below to dig into all of our staff picks in this week’s edition of TWiN.

FRIDAY

MELVINS w/ SPOTLIGHTS
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | Sold Out | All Ages

Legendary Washington experimental/alt rock/metal outfit the Melvins have been a prolific and massively influential fixture in the rock scene since the early ’80s, crediting both for helping influence the grunge explosion of the early ’90s, as well as a variety of adventurous acts in the metal and hard rock world. The last few years have seen an especially busy period, with a constant string of releases, two live incarnations (one more recent, one a reunion of their early days), and most recently a double album/partial soundtrack, A Walk with Love & Death. Renowned for their loud, intense, and genre-bending live show, their nonstop touring schedule brings them to Music City often, but frequently, like this weekend, they sell out in advance- if you got tickets, you’re in for a treat. [PO]

SYLVAN ESSO w/ HELADO NEGRO
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 8pm (7pm doors) | Sold Out | All Ages

Celebrating the recent release of their fantastic, highly-anticipated sophomore LP What Now, North Carolina indie pop duo Sylvan Esso, one of our favorite new artists to emerge in recent years, and an endlessly fun live act, are set to return to Nashville this weekend for a performance at The Ryman Auditorium, their largest Music City outing to date, and the most fitting space they’ve played yet. With their hype far from fading, it’s no surprise that tickets managed to sell out in advance, but if you secured your spot early, this is sure to be one of the best events of the weekend! [PO]

MORNING TELEPORTATION w/ HARPOONER
@ The East Room | 8pm (7pm doors) | $10 | 18+

Fans of electronic laced indie psych-rock having something to look forward to this Friday at The East Room, when Music City welcomes Morning Teleportation, from just up the road in Bowling Green, KY. Touring in support of their latest offering, the ultra tasty LP Salivating for Symbiosis, the band hope to continue to build their ever growing underground/regional rep. Filling out the bill will be like minded locals Harpooner, and you get it all for just a ten spot at the door. Help support the indie scene in Nashville AND the indie scene in nearby Bowling Green simultaneously! [JR]

OGINALII, KERCHIEF, BAT HOUSE
@ The Cobra | 9pm | $5 | 21+

Local psychedlic sludge pop outfit Oginalii are gearing up to release their new EP, The Grey, on Oct. 20, and their touring in support next month.  This show at The Cobra on Friday will serve as a warmup show for that tour, and will give you a first shot to get up to speed on the new tunes from these talented Nashville artists.  Dig into the track “Salmo Salmon” below to get a taste of what to expect. This show gets started with Chattanooga based alt-rockers Kerchief and Boston based neo-psych punks Bat House. [MH]

WHOA DAKOTA
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm (5pm start) | FREE | All Ages

When first we introduced you to Whoa Dakota, the musical vehicle of tremendously talented local singer-songwriter Jesse Ott, more than three years ago, she was exploring realms of blues and retro pop, shaping her sound and building a local following ahead of 2015 debut EP, I’m a Liar. In the years since, Ott has appeared at our Acme showcase, released some new music, and has continued to perform and experiment with her art, pulling from her Little Rock upbringing and blusier, more r&b leaning early work to inform an adventurous and eclectic new direction on her upcoming debut full-length, Patterns, due out next year. We recently premiered expansive, gorgeous new single “Patterns,” and encourage to kick your weekend off right with a free performance from one of our favorite rising local talents! [PO]

PET ENVY,  V BLACKBURN, THE DAILY HOWL
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $5 | 21+

Celebrating the release of sophomore EP Flowers for Your Brain, local pop/r&b singalong ready rockers Pet Envy are headlining The 5 Spot Friday night, for another cool, budget friendly local option also featuring bluesy pop rocker V Blackburn and likeminded group The Daily Howl. [PO]

ELECTRIC DARLING w/ THE JOSEPHINES, BLACK VENUS
@ The Basement | 9pm (8:30pm doors) | $5-7 | 21+

Knoxville soul rockers Electric Darling only recently released their self-titled, debut EP, but with mounting buzz and a live show worthy of praise, they definitely warrant your attention. Along with locals The Josephines and Black Venues, you can catch ’em this weekend at The Basement, likely to be a show you’ll still be talking about once they’ve graduated to bigger spaces. [PO]

THE LONELY BISCUITS
@ Grimey’s | 6pm | FREE | All Ages

It’s wild to see how far The Lonely Biscuits have come in just a few short years.  After forming in their first year at Belmont, the talented band has seen their stock rise, winning “College Artist Of The Year” from MTVu, and touring incessantly with national talent, and playing more major festivals than you can count on your fingers.  They are heading over to Grimey’s for a special in-store to celebrate the release of their latest release, The San Francisco EP, which you can pick up at the event.  Check out the new single “Talk About” below to get a taste. [MH]

DUSTIN SELLERS w/ MATT REID, THE BUMBS
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $5 | 18+

Local musical journeyman and No Country Presents alum Dustin Sellers is best known for his big band take on Americana that is a fresh look at the typical singer-songwriter genre.  He’ll be joined at The High Watt on Friday night by likeminded performer Matt Reid and cosmic blues band The Bumbs, for yet another affordable, solid local option. [MH]

THE BROOMESTIX w/ SHANE BURGESS, SPHYNX
@ The End | 9pm | $5-7 | 18+

Funky big band collective and No Country Presents alum The Broomestix are headlining an eclectic bill at the always color dive The End, and if you’re looking for a change of pace show this weekend, this could be your ticket. Look for Shane Burgess and Sphynx to open, at a cover that won’t hurt your wallet. [JR]

SATURDAY

DEAD BOYS w/ RANDOM CONFLICT
@ Little Harpeth | 8pm | $10 | 18+

Legendary Cleveland punks the Dead Boys are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their landmark debut effort Young Loud and Snotty, with a re-recording, Still Snotty: Young Loud and Snotty at 40, of the landmark proto-punk classic and a full tour, their first since a brief reunion more than a decade ago, which brings them to unlikely space Little Harpeth. The band’s Nashville ties run deep these days, as guitarist Cheetah Crome laid his roots in Music City in the ’90s, and runs A&R for Plowboy Records, who are helming the re-recording. Something of a hometown show, and a steal at just $10, if you’re a legit punk fan, there is absolutely no better weekend option than this. [PO]

MOTHERS w/ SPODEE BOY
@ The Basement | 7pm (6:30pm doors) | $8 | 21+

Visual artist turned self-taught songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Kristine Leschper brings her musical project Mothers to Nashville on Saturday for an early set at The Basement.  Her style would like likely be described as art-rock, but the influences of other fiercely powerful songwriters like Joanna Newsom and Angel Olsen are all over her 2016 release, When You Walk A Long Way You Are Tired.  Local DIY lo-fi garage punk outfit Spodee Boy are set to support what should be a killer bill of early music that’ll leave you with time to catch another later show.  [MH]

SON LITTLE
@ Grimey’s | 5pm | FREE | All Ages
w/ DOE PAORO
@ Mercy Lounge| 9pm (8pm doors) | $15-18 | 18+

Blues and R&B singer Aaron Livingston, whose better known by his stage name Son Little, is taking over Nashville on Saturday night in support of his third studio album, New Magic, which dropped on Sept. 15.  R&B and blues may be too simple of descriptors to describe the work of Livingston, who has largely deconstructed the genres, and reassembled them into a style that is uniquely his own.  You can hear an example from the new single, “Demon to the Dark,” below. Catch him for both a free in-tore at Grimey’s, as well as a full, unbridled set in the evening at Mercy Lounge with likeminded LA based singer Sonia Kreitzer, with her project Doe Paoro [MH]

FOTOCRIME
@ The East Room | 10:30pm (9pm doors) | $5 | 18+

Billed as a “glorious night of post-punk, deathrock, darkwave, and goth danse hymns,” Fascination Street is essentially a goth party at The East Room, aiming to “fill our unsuspecting corner of the city with fog, red lights, and ethereal creatures.” Though early and late in the evening will be helmed by DJs, live musical act Fotocrime will bring their gothy, electro-laced, post-rock sounds to The East Room stage around 10:30. With a $5 suggested donation, it sounds like a very unique Saturday option. [PO]

ROCKY BLOCK, LITTLEFOOT, GRACEN HILL
@ The End | 9pm | $5 | 18+

Fun show of up and comers at The End on Saturday night that is worthy of your attention.  Rocky Block is becoming a force around town with his exception rock and soul sound, Nashville born and bred Littlefoot has been laying down his well-informed, soulful hip-hop for a few years now, but took some time to refocus his energy before recently returning with the release of the incredibly catchy “Fallin’.” Gracen Hill opens up this chock-full bill. [MH]

COWBOY MOUTH w/ ZACK LOGAN
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $18-20 | 18+

Jam band leaning alt-roots rockers Cowboy Mouth are returning to Music City to do what they do best; turn the party out! With an impressive body of work including twelve full lengths, several live albums, and three live DVDs, it’s safe to say they have enough material to keep things going into the wee hours of the morning. Get to the venue on time to enjoy local performer Zack Logan in the warm-up spot, and to be assured you’ve gotten the most awesome live music possible for your hard-earned money. [JR]

SUNDAY

ADAM ANT w/ GLAM SKANKS
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 8pm | $35 | All Ages

After a bit of a break from music throughout the ’00s, eccentric, eclectic British glam rock icon Adam Ant mounted a comeback a few years ago, complete with the release of his sixth solo album and first in almost two decades, Adam Ant Is the Blueblack Hussar in Marrying the Gunner’s Daughter, in 2013. Since then, the former frontman of late ’70s/early ’80s new wave/post-punk trailblazers Adam and the Ants has been rising once again in recognition, and he’s currently touring the globe for a run focused entirely on the hits. Dubbed “Anthems: The Singles Tour,” the U.S. leg of the trek will see Ant’s over the top live show return to Nashville this weekend, following an outing at Cannery Ballroom in 2013, which, itself, was the singer’s first stop in Music City in decades. Glam Skanks support, and tickets are still available as of writing! [PO]

BIG BOI w/ RENEGADE
@ Marathon Music Works | 8:30pm (7pm doors) | $29.50 | All Ages

Though he’ll likely never shake the shadow of his seminal, iconic group Outkast, Atlanta rapper Big Boi has been cultivating a pretty stellar solo career since the duo’s split, and recently dropped his first solo LP in five years, Boomiverse, after last finding acclaim in his unlikely Phantogram collaborative project, Big Grams (and briefly reuniting with Andre 3000 for an Outkast anniversary run). After canceling a planned Music City stop in 2013 due to a broken leg, the famed MC’s return feels LONG overdue, but nonetheless welcome. [PO]

DEEP STATE, BUMMR CITY, JOEY SPRINKLES, PIOUS
@ Drkmttr | 9pm | $5 | All Ages

Hailing from Athens, GA, alt/indie rockers Deep State are celebrating the release of new LP Thought Garden, and will pass through town this weekend to rock our favorite DIY space Drkmttr. With a lineup rounded out by Bummr City, Joey Sprinkles, and Pious, all for just $5, this is yet another solid, all ages, inclusive weekend bet. [PO]

FAT TONY w/ F L A C O, TIM GENT, THE BLACKSON
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $10-12 | 18+

Nigerian-American hip hop artist Fat Tony has been drumming up buzz for several years now, pulling from artsy and underground rap artists as well as punk and pop to inform his smart, expansive, and genre-bending sound. He hits The High Watt this weekend with likeminded artists F L A C O, Tim Gent, and The BlackSon, and though it’s a bummer they’re booked against Big Boi, you’ve got some quality hip hop options to end your weekend; if less expensive, more intimate, and more thought-provoking is your jam, this’ll do the trick. [PO]

HEAVY DREAMS, FLAME GIRLS, SOFT BODIES, B|_ANK
@ The East Room | 8pm | $7 | $18

If you are looking for an under the radar ending to your weekend, then you’ll want to be at The East Room.  They’ll host Chicago based lo-fi pop outfit Heavy Dreams, buzzy local newcomers Flame Girls, synth-y R&B outfit Soft Bodies, and the experimental percussion of B|_ank. [MH]

PONCÉ w/ SCALE MODEL
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $10 | All Ages

Local twin brother helmed alt pop outfit Poncé have been generating buzz all over town, since they released EP Afterglow earlier this year. The dynamic duo blend genere with easy but always seem to come back to that indie pop sweet spot that seems to be resinating so well in Music City and abroad as of late. Experience blog favorites Scale Model in the opening spot, and bring whoever you want to this all ages show. Of course, it’s a Nashville Sunday Night Showcase presented by lightning 100, so if you can’t make it for some reason but want to still hear, you’ll be able to tune in live on the radio. [JR]

RHIANNON GIDDENS
@ Schermerhorn Center | 7:30pm | $29-69 | All Ages

Probably best known for being the lead singer, violinist, banjo player and a founding member of the Grammy-winning country/blues and old-time music band Carolina Chocolate Drops, Rhiannon Giddens has had her hands in a lot of projects, including a fantastic solo career that seems to be picking up steam as of late. In addition to contributing to the stellar New Basement Tapes project, where she recorded some songs written by Bob Dylan with a slew of other big name artists, she has two solo EPs and two LPs out, including this year’s full length, Freedom Highway. Now you have the chance to see her in a truly unique setting, at the Schermerhorn Center performing with her band on her Freedom Highway tour, and fans of the multi-faceted talent had better act quickly, because this one may fill up fast; don’t wait, buy your tickets now! [JR]

THE SKATALITES w/ SOUL RADICS, THE WILLIES
@ Mercy Lounge | 7:30pm (7pm doors) | $15-20 | 18+

Renowned Jamaican ska collective The Skatalites are bringing their long loved jazzy, dubby, ska jams to Mercy Lounge on Sunday night for a weekend ending dance party.  Though many of the founding members have passed on since the band’s inception in the mid ’60s, their spirit lives on through the continued touring of their live show.  The Skatalites will be joined by like minded outfit Soul Radics and The Willies. [MH]

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