It’s another long weekend for many of you, as we prepare physically and mentally to put 2017 behind us. Obviously, the big to-do is on Sunday night, and we have a full rundown of the happenings in our separate New Year’s Eve Guide. However, if you are looking to get into some music in a less hectic and far more affordable setting, we’ve rounded up a few shows that are worthy of your attention on Friday and Saturday night as well. Head below for our final TWiN of 2017.
FRIDAY
RANDOM CONFLICT, SOME KIND OF NIGHTMARE, ONE BEGGAR SUN
@ The Cobra | 8pm | FREE | 21+
Not worried about all of the New Year’s Eve fuss but still hoping to squeeze in some punk rock before the calendars change on this dumpster fire of a year? The Cobra has you covered with a fun Friday night lineup, and the best part is it’s free (extra refreshing on a weekend where seemingly half the venues and bars in town are peddling VIP packages for hundreds of dollars). San Diego punk trio Some Kind of Nightmare pass through on tour, bringing their raw energy and old school punk sensibilities, with a live show honed by a decade on the road. Equally exciting, Nashville and Alabama based hardcore punk institution Random Conflict are also on the bill, on the eve of their 30th anniversary next year. Locals One Beggar Sun round things out for one solid, under the radar weekend gem. [PO]
WAKER w/ THE VEGABONDS
@ Exit/In | 8pm (7pm doors) | $15 | 18+
Rising out of the ashes of the great rising band Koa, Nashville’s Waker has continued the upward trajectory of the talented members. Founding members Chase Bader and Conor Kelly rounded out the lineup for their latest project, and found themselves touring incessantly (including a stop at Bonnaroo) after the release of their debut EP in 2015. The band are currently gearing up for the release of their debut full length, due out in 2018, and have been teasing that release with their most recent singles “Wake Me Up” and “Pike.” They’ll be joined by local southern-inspired rockers The Vegabonds, who are also seemingly gearing up to release new music in 2018. If you are looking for the best of what’s next in Nashville, Exit/In is where you want to be on Friday night. [MH]
EARTHCRY w/ LIFEROOT
@ The Back Corner | 9pm (8pm doors) | FREE | 21+
It’s Papadosio weekend in Nashville. They sold out Exit/In on Saturday night, and there are still a few tickets remaining for their NYE blowout at Marathon Music Works on Sunday. Frontman Anthony Thogmartin is hosting a special free solo show under his electronica Earthcry moniker at The Back Corner with acclaimed transcendental producer Liferoot. This one is first come, first served, so get there early, as this is a solid way to kick off your NYE weekend on the very cheap. [MH]
LARKIN POE w/ BONES OWENS, BRANDY ZDAN
@ The Basement East | 9pm (8pm doors) | $18 | 18+
Atlanta based rockers Larkin Poe are in town to take park in the official Nashville New Year’s Eve celebration, but they’ll be stopping by The Basement East on Friday night for their final headlining show of the year. They’re latest record, Peach, showcases their affinity for the blues and pure-fired southern rock, and, following the success of their 2016 release, Redskinned, the duo appear primed to break out in 2018. They’re joined by renowned guitarist and acclaimed songwriter Bones Owens and one woman tour de force Brandy Zdan. This show is designed for guitar driven rock, and, if you want to check it out, we’d recommend grabbing tickets in advance. [MH]
THREE STAR REVIVAL w/ MASSEUSE, JUKE SKYWALKER
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $5 | 21+
Eclectic Knoxville based outfit Three Star Revival has a unique knack for blending Americana vibes with a touch of funk, soul, R&B, and even reggae vibes. They are celebrating the release of their latest single, “Wait,” earlier this month, and you can check that out below to get a taste. They’ll be joined by like-minded MTSU formed, Chattanooga based outfit Masseuse, and Deep Fried Five side-project Juke Skywalker for a night that is sure to full of great vibes and dancing a-plenty. [MH]
WANYAMA, ROSS LIVERMORE, D. SWICK
@ The East Room | 9pm | 18+
Cleveland based, jam certified, roots rockers Wanyama are have been turning heads with their fresh funk grooves and hip hop influences for a number of years now in their native land. They’re headlining what looks like a perfect NYE warm up at The East Room on Friday night along with rising local, upbeat soulster Ross Livermore, and emerging local transplant art-rocker D. Swick. [MH]
THE JERRY DOUGLAS BAND w/ DANNY BURNS
@ City Winery | 8pm (6pm doors) | $30-45 | All Ages
Considered by many to be the world’s greatest Dobro player, Jerry Douglas is also a highly decorated Grammy winner (snagging 14 overall to date). Jerry, and his troop, The Jerry Douglas Band are currently on tour in support of their latest effort entitled What If, which dropped this past summer. Bringing their show to the friendly confines of City Winery for a very special two night NYE weekend run. Be there in person for night one, and be on time to check out the very talented Danny Burns in the warmup spot. [JR]
SATURDAY
THE INSCAPE, THE HOLIFIELDS, BURNING PEPPERMINTS, SNAKE CHENEY
@ The East Room | 9pm (8pm doors) | $7 | 18+
The Nashville Psych Alliance is bidding 2017 adieu with a stacked bill at The East Room on Saturday night. Local shredders and blog faves The Inscape are headlining, with frontman John Condit returning from a long run on tour with Lilly Hiatt, and we’re hoping to hear some new tunes to follow up their awesome 2017 release We’re All Wrong. They’re joined by Knoxville-based, psych-prog outfit The Holifields, Birmingham-based psych-punks The Burning Peppermints, and vibey lofi outfit Snake Cheney. [MH]
THE ROCKY HORROR ROCK N ROLL SHOW (ft. members of BLACK MOON MOTHER, FABLE CRY, NIGHTBLONDE, THE MUTE GROUP, THE PROTOMEN, & MORE) w/ HR_LEXY
@ The End | 9pm (8pm doors) | $20 | 18+
One of the coolest NYE weekend happenings that could easily slip by you is a local supergroup tribute to cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, hosted both Saturday night and again on NYE proper at The End. Featuring members of Black Moon Mother, Fable Cry, Nightblonde, The Mute Group, The Protomen, and more, it promise to be an “interactive, multimedia rock show like you’ve never seen before!” We’re told to “expect costumes, crowd participation, prop bags and prizes as you party alongside unconventional conventionalists,” with night one also featuring a “burlesque, boylesque and taplesque” after show. HR_Lexy open, and whether you’re a Rocky Horror superfan or just craving something unconventional, this sounds like a party you won’t forget. [PO]
OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 10pm | Sold Out | All Ages
Old Crow Medicine Show begin their two night stand at The Ryman on Saturday night with a special performance of Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde in its entirety. This is obviously a special opportunity for fans of the band that have collaborated with the songwriting great before. Unfortunately, if you haven’t gotten your tickets already, you are SOL, because this one already sold out. [MH]
PAPADOSIO w/ DOYLE
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | Sold Out | 18+
Papadosio weekend continues at Exit/In on Saturday night as the self-acclaimed space rockers headline a sold out pre-NYE show. Their wildly successful approach blends elements of rock, jazz, and electronica to meld a jam worthy, highly danceable live experience that has garnered them stages across the country. If you don’t already have tickets to this one, you should head to our NYE Guide to snag some of the few remaining tickets for their official 2017 send-off at Marathon Music Works on Sunday. [MH]
THE DEAD DEADS
@ The Lipstick Lounge | 7pm | 21+
Made up of a pair of siblings and three childhood friends, The Dead Deads have, over the last few years, become an important fixture in the local musical landscape, and seem poised to break out to broader national prominence at any moment. Combining a metal and punk-tinged blend of high energy grunge rock, and donning X’s and stage names that all end in “Dead’ (a la the Ramones), the gals have shared the stage with big names like Halestorm, Motorhead, and Bush, while still finding time to play hometown shows at a pretty regular clip. They’re a pretty frequent NYE weekend fixture, and this year sees them return to their regular haunt of The Lipstick Lounge, which is never anything short of a fun time. [PO]
THE BOOM BAP! ft. TONY TOUCH
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $15-450 | 21+
If you’re looking to get some classic hip hop in your life this NYE weekend, look no further than Nashville’s monthly hip hop extravaganza, The Boom Bap! It’s always a good time for this one at The BEast, but throw in legendary break dancer/producer/DJ Tony Touch, leading the party behind the ones-and-twos, and you have the potential for Music CIty’s hottest hip hop party of the year. If you only go to one Boom Bap this year, or you’ve never been before, this is the one to attend. You won’t regret it! [JR]
THE JERRY DOUGLAS BAND w/ SHAWN CAMP
@ City Winery | 8pm (6pm doors) | $30-45 | All Ages
Head on over to City Winery Saturday evening for the final show of The Jerry Douglas Band‘s two night run. See why the bluegrass legend is considered one of the greatest practitioners of the genre of all time. For this performance, they will be welcoming local producer/performer Shawn Camp in opening spot to really get things cookin’. Don’t miss you chance to see some legends at work. [JR]
SUNDAY
In need of New Year’s Eve plans? Check out our our separate rundown of of the many, many end of year happenings on Sunday.
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain