TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Jan. 19-21

If you are one for getting out and about, this week has been the pits. Fear not, cabin-weary friend, as temperatures are going to climb this weekend, just in time for Women’s March 2.0, and there are a lot of cool shows, including a special free Happy Birthday to our friends at Mercy Lounge, to get you out of your Netflix binge. Head below to see all of our top shows picks in this week’s edition of TWiN!

FRIDAY

OFFICIAL PRE-PARTY FOR WOMEN’S MARCH 2.0 ft. PONI SILVER, JEMINA PEARL, MALISSA BLACKWELL, DJ ASTROBROOKE
@ Third Man Records | 6pm | FREE | All Ages

This weekend, a year after last year’s important, worldwide women’s march- an empowering and massive demonstration- a second march is scheduled to once again take place across the globe, dubbed the Women’s March 2.0. Protesting and striving for awareness and change for a variety’s of women’s issues, the march aims to be radically inclusive, with women, femme identifying, and allies all welcome to participate, in an intersection of causes and movements that spawned so much important discourse and action throughout the past year. Nashville will host a rally, conference, and march on Saturday, with pre and post events also slated to take place. You can read more about the main event in this great article from the Tennessean, and you can get ready with a free, official pre-party Friday night at Third Man Records. In addition to music from Poni Silver, Jemina Pearl, and more, the event will include speakers, sign making, snacks and drinks from some local favorites, and everything you need to get into the spirit to march on Saturday. Full details here. [PO]

BRENDAN BENSON
@ Third Man Records | 5pm | FREE | All Ages

In celebration of the release of his new 7-inch, “Half a Boy (and Half a Man)” b/w “Big Kid Face,” which drops in a limited variant Friday morning at Third Man, acclaimed local rocker Brendan Benson is stopping by the Third Man shop for an in-store performance and singing. And hey, if you’re heading to the Women’s March Pre-Party anyway, it’s worth showing up a little early for. [PO]

WHISSELL, DANIELLA MASON, BIYO, CHRIS JOBE, MESSYAH
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm (8pm doors) | FREE | 21+

Our pals at Mercy Lounge are celebrating an impressive 15th anniversary milestone with two nights of free music- something of annual tradition. Night one was curated by tastemaking local crew Pøpsquad, so of course it features some of the freshest acts in the buzzy local pop scene, all names you should recognize from our past coverage and curated playlist. For absolutely no cover, you get Whissell, Daniella Mason, Biyo, Chris Jobe, and Messyah, but remember if the show hits capacity you might have to wait, so don’t be late. [PO]

JEFFREY LEWIS & LOS BOLTS w/ THE MINNNOWS, KRISTIN ANDREASSEN
@ Fond Object (Downtown) | 7pm | $8-10 | All Ages

NYC based anti-folk superstar Jeffrey Lewis and his backing band Los Bolts will be winding their American tour with a stop in Nashville this weekend, and fans of the underground favorite know it’s a must see show. For the uninitiated, Jeffrey’s sound is wonderful hodgepodge of lo-fi garage/punk arrangements, with captivating and often quite clever tongue-in-cheek folk inspired lyrics. Look for midwest rockers The Minnnows, and local singer-songwriter Kristin Andreassen to fill out one of the weekend’s top bills. [JR]

HEINOUS ORCA, S.M. WOLF, GROUP NAP, VLADOPUS9
@ Mouthhole | 9pm | $5 | All Ages

If you’re looking for a low cost, DIY punk show at a venue you’ll have to ask around to find the address for, you’ve found it. Friday night at DIY space Mouthhole, catch local garage punks Heinous Orca, Indianapolis psyched-out power pop group S.M. Wolf, local jammy indie outfit Group Nap, and the always eclectic Vladopus9. Bring five bucks for the touring band and prepare for a good night. [PO]

CELEBRATING JANIS JOPLIN’S 75TH BIRTHDAY:
ALANNA ROYALE, ALEXIS SASKI, AMANDA BROADWAY, JONELL MOSSER, KESHIA BAILEY, KRISTEN ROGERS, MELANIE DEWEY, PING ROSE, RACHEL RODRIGUEZ, SARAH POTENZA, SUE MANAUGH, ALLEN THOMPSON AND FRIENDS
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10 | 18+

It seems hard to believe that it could have been a possibility to still see the rock and roll legend Janis Joplin live performing at the age of 75. In her honor, a slew of Nashville’s top singers, along with a stellar backing band, are gearing up for a birthday tribute for the ages. This one features performances from a number of blog faves and No Country Presents alumni like Alanna Royale, Amanda Broadway, Allen Thompson, Sarah Potenza, Melanie Dewey, and tons more. If you are feeling like a singalong to some absolute rock standards is what you need to dust off the rust after a week on the couch, unpack the signature round spectacles, and head out to this sure fire solution. [MH]

ANDERSON EAST w/ J.S. ONDARA
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | Sold Out | All Ages

Local blue-eyed soul songwriter Anderson East broke out on the national stage in a major way with his 2015 Dave Cobb produced, Delilah. He’s back with another effort from Cobb’s Low Country imprint with his aptly titled, Encore. If you were hoping to catch the two local kick-off shows to his massive upcoming world tour, we hope you have your tickets in hand, because both nights have been long sold out. [MH]

UNCLE KNUCKLE, FOX GRIN, THE BURPS, CHLOE KAT
@ The East Room | 8pm | $5

If you’ve been keeping up with the news on No Country, you’ll know it’s been an exciting week for Uncle Knuckle and Fox Grin. Fox Grin are celebrating the release of third album, King of Spades, on Friday, which we told you about when we premiered their new track “Que Sera” earlier this week. Uncle Knuckle is also gearing up to release his debut EP this spring, and we premiered his sick new single “Jealous Type” this week as well. Indie rockers The Burps and singer-songwriter Chloe Kat round out this killer local bill. [MH]

THE GRIPSWEATS, OPPOSITE BOX, COSMIC SHIFT
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10 | 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 5 Spot this weekend, for a great bill rounded out by funky, proggy, experimental Chattanooga outfit Opposite Box and groovy local psych funk band Cosmic Shift. [PO]

LINES IN THE SKY w/ TRUE VILLAINS, ABBEY MOSS, THE NEVERHAWKS
@ Topgolf Live | 8pm (6pm doors) | $10-22 | All Ages

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to check out Top Golf in Nashville, here’s a musical reason to head over.  The stage inside the entertainment complex will feature a special performance of local bands, including Lines in the Sky, who will be celebrating the release of their latest record, Beacons. Rockers True Villains and The Neverhawks and powerhouse singer Abbey Moss round out a fun bill for what could be a very entertaining evening of activity at one of the city’s newest show spaces. [MH]

LIONS AFTER DARK, THE STIR, BROTHER MAN
@ The Cobra | 9pm (8pm doors) | 21+

Local alt/indie outfit Lions After Dark are a group you should have an eye on, and you have a chance to catch their blend of retro and contemporary rock in person, Friday night at The Cobra. Look for Atlanta hard rock trio The Stir and local blues rockers Brother Man to round things out. [PO]

SATURDAY

LANGHORNE SLIM, GRANT GUSTAFSON (of Blank Range), MATTHEW RYAN, PHILLIP CREAMER, PAT SANSONE (of Wilco & Autumn Defense), RICKY YOUNG (of The Wild Feathers), ROBYN HITCHCOCK, TRISTEN, TYLER JAMES & JESSICA MAROS (of Escondido), CAITLIN ROSE, EMMA SWIFT, PARKER GISPERT (of The Whigs), JEREMY LISTER, ALANNA ROYALE, THE LONG PLAYERS
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm (8pm doors) | FREE | 21+

Night two of Mercy Lounge’s epic, free 15th anniversary weekend celebration is billed an “All Star Revue,” and given the pedigree of the talent on the bill, we’d say that’s putting it mildly. For the cost of absolutely nothing, you’ll get the talents of Langhorne Slim, Robyn Hitchcock, Tristen, Caitlin Rose, Alanna Royale, members of Blank Range, Wilco, The Wild Feathers, The Whigs, and more! Better show up early, because the venue could still hit capacity, and with this much awesome, that’s a strong possibility. [PO]

WOMEN’S MARCH 2.0 AFTER PARTY ft. MICHELLE BRANCH, DIVINITY ROXX, ALANNA ROYALE, KATE TUCKER
@ Acme Feed & Seed | 6pm (5:30pm doors) | $20 | All Ages

After Saturday’s Women’s March 2.0, sure to be a strong and massive showing downtown, which we detailed more at the top of the page, our favorite hip honky tonk, Acme, is hosting an official after-party on the third floor, with proceeds going to benefit Planned Parenthood. Famed pop singer and local transplant Michelle Branch tops the bill, joined by rap/soul singer Divinity Roxx, local soul outfit and site faves Alanna Royale, and singer-songwriter Kate Tucker. This would be a must-see show regardless, but given the cause, it feels essential. [PO]

THE NUDE PARTY w/ RANCH GHOST, LASSO SPELLS
@ The East Room | 9:30pm (9pm doors) | $5 | 18+

Rowdy, ’60s inspired lo-fi psych rockers The Nude Party have been high on our must-see lists since they first caught our attention back in 2014, with the release of their stellar record, Forbidden Fruits. After seeing their amazing live show in person, we’ve been hooked ever since. We’re so stoked for this one, we’ll have full preview run for with some more details, but just know that with the help of local favorites Ranch Ghost, and friend of the blog Lasso Spells, it’s one of top picks for the entire weekend. [JR]

MIGHTY, FOOLIGANS, NATIVE TONGUE, SERENITY & THE BLUSH
@ That 70s House| 7pm | $5 | All Ages

On the road from Georgia, genre-bending alt rockers MIGHTY and grunge pop outfit Fooligans hit DIY space That 70s House on Saturday, making for one of the coolest under the radar happenings of the weekend, especially if you’re a fan of underground punk, indie, and alt rock. Rounding out the local support are post-rockers Native Tongue and indie outfit Serenity & The Blush. [PO]

JOHN PAUL WHITE, DONNIE FRITTS, CEDRIC BURNSIDE, CALEB ELLIOTT, & MORE
@ The Basement | 8pm (7pm doors) | $7-10 | 21+

Exceptionally talented roots/folk flavored singer-songwriter John Paul White will be headlining two very special nights of tunes, featuring some artists signed to Alabama based label Single Lock Records and others. In addition to being a co-founder of the label, it should also be known JPW is also widely celebrated for his Grammy-award winning work as part of The Civil Wars. Labelmate Donnie Fritts, plus blues performer Cedric Burnside, and Louisiana based cellist/singer songwriter Caleb Elliott (Sing Lock Records) will ensure the first night of the showcase, which is all acoustic, will be a resounding success. Online tickets appear to be sold out, and with White’s musical pedigree, that’s no surprise. [JR]

ANDERSON EAST w/ J.S. ONDARA
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | Sold Out | All Ages

Anderson East wraps his two night tour kick-off shows at 3rd & Lindsley on Saturday in support of his incredible new record, Encore, but, just like the first, this show has been long sold out. [MH]

THE TOLLESON EXPERIMENT
@ Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge | 8pm | FREE | 21+

Local rock collective The Tolleson Experiment are celebrating the release of their new LP, Discourse, in the comfy confines of Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge this weekend, and the new record is chock full of their signature twangy blues style. The followup to their 2013 debut shows a lot of growth in the talented troupe, and you can get a taste of what’s in store with the first single “Get Woke” below. [MH]

GREENSKY BLUEGRASS w/ BILLY STRINGS
@ Marathon Music Works | 8pm (6:30pm doors) | Sold Out | All Ages

Originally formed in Kalamazoo, Mich. in the mid 2000s, Greensky Bluegrass are a five piece progressive bluegrass band, known for their improvisational jam band stylings. Over the years, they’ve not only caught on with the jam crowd, but have also become a staple of the scene. Equally known for their inclinations to share stages with an amazing array of big names from Phil Lesh (of the Grateful Dead), to DJ Logic, Béla Fleck, The Avett Brothers, and Widespread Panic, there’s almost no one they can’t get into a groove with. With help from local bluegrass/folk performer Billy Strings, this one promises to be a humdinger, however we hope you got tickets early, because it sold out in advance. [JR]

SUNDAY

THE ROTTEN MANGOS, TTOTALS, MOUTH READER
@ The Cobra | 9pm (8pm doors) | $5 | 21+

Our pals over at the Nashville Psych Alliance are are hosting another top notch weekend-ending show. This one features the lo-fi psych pop from Austin based outfit The Rotten Mangos, and is rounded out by a couple of local standouts and blog faves. Mouth Reader just released a slick new sludgy, surf-tinged single “Eye’s Sink,” which you can check out on their Bandcamp page, and Ttotals have joined the bill for their first psychedelic mind-trip of the year. For a mere $5, this is an affordable way to send off your weekend with a bang. [MH]

JOHN PAUL WHITE, DYLAN LEBLANC, NICOLE ATKINS, BELLE ADAIR, THE KERNAL
@ The Basement East | 7pm (6pm doors) | $9-12 | 21+

Back for night two (this time at The BEast) of his co-founded Single Lock Records showcase, this time electric, established folk legend John Paul White will again be headlining, with help from similarly flavored rising star Dylan LeBlanc, local indie folk performer Nicole Atkins, Americana rockers Belle Adair and alt country outfit The Kernal. You get all this awesome for just over ten bucks, and, in addition to having a great time, we guarantee that you’ll be paying much more attention to indie label going forward. Jump on the bandwagon while there’s still room, before night two sells out like night one. [JR]

YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND w/ THE SOUTHERN BELLES
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $25 | All Ages

We’ve been fans of Yonder Mountain String Band for a while now, and have caught their sets at Bonnaroo and clubs in Nashville over the past few years.  We even sat down for a chat with Yonder’s banjo-man Dave Johnston a few years ago. The beloved bluegrass band is back in Nashville for an intimate set at 3rd & Lindsley this weekend with a new record, Love, Ain’t Love, in tow. They’re joined by psych influenced Americana outfit The Southern Belles for what should be a great night of exquisite musicianship. [MH]

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