TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Dec. 22-24 – No Country For New Nashville

While Christmas doesn’t fall until Monday, this weekend is the de-facto holiday shutdown, and, with the majority of Americans traveling or hosting family and friends, the slate is expectedly light for live music. If you aren’t in transit this weekend, or are celebrating without family, there are still a few, largely holiday related shows, going on around town for you to choose from, and we’re not even including the traditional holiday events, like The Nutcracker at The Ryman and TPAC, A Christmas Story Live, or a screening of Home Alone with the Nashville Symphony. Regardless of what you chose to do this weekend, we wish you Happy Holidays and a very Merry Christmas.

FRIDAY

A CHRIS CROFTON CHRISTMAS ft. PAMELA CROFTON, PUJOL, & MORE
@ The East Room | 8:30pm | $10 | 18+

Local comedian, musician, and personality Chris Crofton is hosting a great holiday-themed Friday night affair at The East Room, perfect if you’re looking for something fun that doesn’t involve committing to a specific concert- think more variety show vibe. Crofton will do standup, as will Pamela Crofton, local rocker Pujol will provide the acoustic tunes, and plenty more surprises are promised as well. [PO]

INSANE CLOWN POSSE w/ ABK, OUIJA, BIG HOODOO, DJ CLAY, PJB, THE JCW
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $23-25 | 18+

Dubbed “The Biggest Ballas You Ever Seen Christmas Party ’17,” hip hop duo the Insane Clown Posse descend upon Music City with a huge slate of likeminded performers this weekend, to host a holiday-themed event for that special juggalo in your life, or for the curious music fan looking for a very, very alternative holiday happening. Love ’em or hate ’em, there’s certainly nothing quite like an ICP show. [PO]

MUSICIANS CORNER CHRISTMAS ft. LEVI HUMMON, LEIGH NASH, CRYSTAL BOWERSOX, TOMMY WOMACK, MARY BRAGG, & MORE
@ City Winery | 8pm (6pm doors) | $20-45 | All Ages

If you are looking for a family friendly outing to take in some of Nashville’s finest musicians, then our friends at Musicians Corner have you covered with their two night “Songs of the Season” event at City Winery. Night one features performances from some of the top singers in town, including rising songwriter Levi Hummon, Sixpence None The Richer frontwoman Leigh Nash, rising songwriter Mary Bragg, eccentric Americana standout Tommy Womack, and many more. If you finally want to show Grandma why you go out to shows so much, this is probably the best bet to get her on the bandwagon. [MH]

RECOGNIZE: CHRISTMAS EDITION ft. COACH & RATE, WICK-IT THE INSTIGATOR, DJ ROD YOUREE
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $5 | 21+

If you are hosting friends or need to show your younger family how Nashville really parties, the special Christmas edition of the long running old school hip hop and R&B dance party “Recognize” is your spot. DJs Coach and Rate will be carrying much of the load, but they’ll also DJ Rod Youree and very special guest Wick-It The Instigator into the mix. It’s the perfect excuse to break away from family for a little bit, or just have a last hoorah with friends before settling in. [MH]

SATURDAY

HILLBILLY CASINO w/ THE DEAD DEADS
@ The Basement East | 9:30pm (8:30pm doors) | $8-10 | 21+

If you’re looking to have a full throttle, rock ‘n’ roll roller coaster of Christmas weekend, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more lively bill then this one. Local psychobilly legends Hillybilly Casino have teamed up with another resident cult favorite metal/punk band, The Dead Deads, to bring you one of the shrediest holidays ever at The BEast! You get both bands sets for about a ten spot, so bring the fam in from out of town, show them what living in Music City is all about (24/7, 365 shows), and support the local scene while you do it. [JR]

WARD DAVIS w/ TENNESSEE JET, CHANNING WILSON
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $15-45 | All Ages

Alt country singer songwriter Ward Davis is headlining another tasty lineup this Saturday that really has the potential to be a barn burner. Look for local one-man-blues-band Tennessee Jet, and resident outlaw country performer Channing Wilson to help put this three band bill over the top. Act fast, because this all ages affair is likely to sell out, because of the talent levels of the musicians, and also considering there aren’t a ton of other options this weekend. Don’t miss one of the holiday weekend’s best! [JR]

WICK-IT THE INSTIGATOR, KDSML, ORIG, BATEMAN
@ The End | 9pm | $5 | 18+

While this isn’t a traditional holiday celebration, it’s set to be a sure fire dance party. Local mashup wizard Wick-It The Instigator and scratch-master KDSML return home with their long standing Mashville party, and they are returning to the event’s beginnings with a sure to be packed show at The End. They’ll be joined by a slew of special guests, and the $5 price tag for gents (ladies get in for free) make this the cheapest holiday gift in town. [MH]

MUSICIANS CORNER CHRISTMAS ft. LILLY HIATT, JIM LAUDERDALE, SUGAR + THE HI LOWS, ERIN RAE, ANGEL SNOW, JEREMY LISTER, TIM EASTON & MORE
@ City Winery | 8pm (6pm doors) | $20-$45 | All Ages

Musicians Corner wraps their 2017 two night holiday spectacular on Saturday with a packed bill that includes a number of blog faves, including rising singers Lilly Hiatt and Angel Snow, highly acclaimed Americana wizard Jim Lauderdale, retro pop superduo Sugar + The Hi Lows, and many, many more. The Saturday show is closer to selling out than the Friday edition, so if you are looking at this as a last minute gift, don’t wait too long. [MH]