TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Feb. 23-25

The weather has apparently skipped straight into spring, and, along with it, the more packed show schedule typically associated with the season has picked up early as well. Whether you’re looking for funk, metal, emo, punk, electronic, indie, or even comedy, this particularly busy weekend boasts plenty of shows of all budgets and sizes, with new bands and legendary performers, local and national artists, and, of course plenty of rising talent in small and DIY spaces for those who like to be dialed into the best of what’s next (including the very last show at one of the city’s best all ages arts collectives). Plan out your weekend below with TWiN!

FRIDAY

GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC w/ MISS VELVET AND THE BLUE WOLF
@ The Cowan (Top Golf) | 7pm | Sold Out | All Ages

New downtown attraction Top Golf has been hitting on all cylinders of late with their varied and impressive bookings at the sports center’s on site venue, newly minted The Cowan, and they really stepped it up a notch this week with two nights of legendary funk superstars George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic. However, if you want to see these legends in action, along with rising indie funk outfit Miss Velvet And The Blue Wolf, we hope you shopped in advance, because both nights have long been sold out. [MH]

PEDRO THE LION w/ LEPANTO
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | Sold Out | 18+

Though a short-lived reunion in celebration of a fan-favorite album’s 10th anniversary last brought them to Nashville in 2012, it’s been over a decade since indie fixture Pedro the Lion have existed on a permanent basis, and even longer since frontman and creative core David Bazan last released any new music under the moniker (he’s had a prolific run, both solo and with new projects, in the years since). As of a few months ago, however, Pedro the Lion are back, and, ahead of a new release in the near future, are embarking on reunion tour, which returns them to Exit/In on Friday with buzzy new duo (and pseudo-supergroup) Marie/Lepanto. It hasn’t been hard to see Bazan in Nashville in recent years, but seeing him with a full band, the Pedro name, the back catalogue, and the excitement that he’s displayed towards reviving the project is truly going to be something special- that is, if you snagged tickets early. [PO]

NICE GUYS, DATENIGHT, THE MUMZEES
@ Drkmttr | 8pm | $7 | All Ages

Regardless of the lineup, this show ranks among the weekend’s most essential, simply because it marks the final event at beloved DIY space Drkmttr’s current home. While future plans for the arts collective are a bit up in the air, the operators remain committed to resurrecting it in some new form. And, Drkmttr being Drkmttr, you know they’re going out with the same level of rad we’ve come to expect, hosting Boston garage punks Nice Guys, along with local staples and frequent Drkmttr performers- jangly, post-punk leaning outfits Datenight and The Mumzees. Don’t miss your chance to say goodbye to one of the scene’s most important spaces. [PO]

RALES, HARI, ONLY, LAWNDRY
@ The Cobra | 9pm | 21+

Since finding a new life post-fooBAR, east side haunt The Cobra has become an especially dependable spot for low-cost, high-quality local shows (and up and coming touring acts). Shoegazing alt rockers Rales top a stacked all-local Friday bill, along with dreamy, indie rock group Hari, jangly, indie/garage punks Only, and alt/indie group Lawndry. You definitely can’t go wrong if you dig under the radar punk and a indie rock. [PO]

PEPPERMINT BOYS, THE DROWSEES, SUPERSTAR FAMUS1DAY, LAVA GULLS
@ Two Boots Pizza | 8:30pm (8pm doors) | FREE | All Ages

The inaugural showcase from Gluestick Collective, and a free one at that, if you like good music and good pizza, this show at Two Boots is looking like an enticing pick. Experimental, genre-benders Peppermint Boys top the lineup, and psych rockers The Dowsees, lo-fi indie pop project Superstar Famous1day, and Knoxville noise pop/college rock outfit Lava Gulls bring enough awesome to make a point to be punctual. [PO]

PALLBEARER w/ RUBY THE HATCHET, MIRRORS FOR PSYCHIC WARFARE, SPOTLIGHTS
@ The Basement East | 9pm (8pm doors) | $13-15 | 18+

A decade in and still riding a wave of buzz from last year’s third LP, Heartless, Arkansas doom/progressive metal outfit Pallbearer return to town to headline The Basement East- an incredible testament to their continued growth- along with Ruby the Hatchet, Mirror for Psychic Warfare, and Spotlights. Needless to say, the weekends aren’t always flush with options for heavy music fans, and of the few shows you’ll find this week, this is looking like your top ticket. [PO]

TACO MOUTH
@ Grimey’s | 6pm | FREE | All Ages

Formed by ex-Dead Deads members Erica Sellers and Angela Lese, new local project Taco Mouth, something of a version 2.0 of the gals’ former Louisville group CatFight, fuses a love of old school hard rock and punk with more contemporary dance rock, and what we’ve heard so far sounds fantastic. In celebration of their debut EP, the band drop by Grimey’s for a free, Friday in-store before hitting The 5 Spot the following night for a full-blown show. [PO]

THE STOLEN, PATTERNIST w/ LEANDER, KID POLITICS
@ The East Room | 8pm (7pm doors) | $5-8 | 18+

NJ based pop punk act The Stolen as passing through town in support of their latest offering, Fragile Heart. Look for them to rock the house at The East Room, with help from electro pop performer Patternist, plus locals Leander and Kid Politics. Two touring acts plus two great local bands for less than $10 is a hell of a deal. For fans of the ever expanding world of alt pop, this sure to be a treat! [JR]

JASMIN KASET, COUPLER, TOWER DEFENSE, QUICHENIGHT, NEW MAN, PATRICK DAMPHIER
@ Mercy Lounge | 7:30pm (7pm doors) | $10 | 18+

Local boutique label YK Records, who’ve put out releases from some of the city’s buzziest up and coming artists, are hosting a Friday night showcase at Mercy Lounge, where just $10 gets you a sweet sampling of some serious talent you should know. Look for pop singer Jasmin Kaset, electronic trio Coupler, poppy post-punks Tower Defense, lo-fi indie rockers Quichenight, baroque popsters New Man, and singer-songwriter Patrick Damphier. [PO]

HOTEL WAR, DOS COBROS, DINGZUI, THE MIGHTY JABRONIS
@ The 5 Spot | 10pm (9pm doors) | $5 | 21+

Local rockers Hotel War have steadily been popping up on more and more tasty bills around town, as they build their niche in Music City’s “something for everyone” rock scene. Earning top billing at The 5 Spot this weekend, they’re eager to kick out their soul influenced jams, with help from some likeminded bands like fuzz rock duo Dos Cobros, alt rock power trio Dingzui, and pro wrestling influenced punk rockers The Mighty Jabronis. That’s an amazing breadth of genres and influences, but all of it is full throttled, white knuckle rock! At just five bones, it’s almost sure to be the most bang for the least buck. [JR]

TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 8pm | Sold Out | All Ages

If you were hoping to catch legendary southern jam rockers Tedeschi Trucks Band, and you don’t already have tickets you might be bummed to hear this one has sold out. This show is night one of a two night stand at The Mother Church for the legends of big band jam, and it’s become a fairly regular occasion for them to sell out The Ryman however many nights they are given, putting them amongst rare company indeed. If you don’t have tickets, maybe you can call in a favor, but if not, better luck next time. [JR]

SATURDAY

BRINEABOY, SMART OBJECTS, FATE TRANE, LUCAS
@ Fond Object (Downtown) | 7:30pm (7pm doors) | $5 | All Ages

As we are seemingly already into spring time weather, Fond Object will be hosting a fun marker complete with local artists, vendors, cold beers from Little Harpeth Brewing and, of course, great music.  The lineup is stacked with a fun local slate, including up and coming rockers Lucas, the combined rhyming talents of James Fate and Trane Spitta in their Fate Trane project, rising indie rockers Smart Objects, and electro pop duo Brineaboy. At only $5, this is a sure bet, whether you are strapped for cash or not. [MH]

EL ESCAPADO, OC45, STUCK LUCKY, NO LOVES
@ The Cobra | 8pm | $5 | 21+

Formed out of a desire to find time to get away on the road, locals El Escapado play the type of fast paced, old school, skate inspired pop punk that we don’t have nearly enough of in the Nashville scene. They head up a $5 Saturday show at The Cobra, and with likeminded Boston punks OC45, Nashville thrash punks Stuck Lucky, and long running old school punk outfit No Loves rounding things out, straight up punk fans won’t be disappointed. [PO]

 

KEY!, DUCKO McFLI, YGTUT, TIM GENT, CASE ARNOLD, SHMUCK THE LOYAL, SHOEY
@ Center 615 | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10-20 | 18+

Set to transform the HOME space at Center 615 with massive sound, lighting production, and visual art, this weekend’s Modern Culture event, hosted by buzzy local rapper Mike Floss, doubles as a benefit for the Oasis Center. The lineup is absolutely stacked, boasting Atlanta rapper KEY!, Nashville and Atlanta based producer, DJ, and hip hop artist Ducko McFli, buzzy Chattanooga rapper YGTUT, plus Tim Gent, B2B, Case Arnold, $hoey, Shmuck The Loyal, and more! [PO]

THE ACADEMIC w/ LOYALS
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $12-14 | 18+

Irish indie rockers The Academic just dropped their sophomore LP, Tales from the Backseat, last month, and with their pop appeal and catchy, focused sound, they seem primed to be the next European indie group with the potential to find runaway success stateside. Needless to say, it’s an exciting time to see ’em live, and with a chance to do so at an intimate club like The High Watt, we wouldn’t miss it. [PO]

TACO MOUTH, THEM VIBES, INDIA RAMEY
@ The 5 Spot | 8pm | 21+

New local retro-inspired, dance-ready rockers Taco Mouth (featuring former founding members of The Dead Deads) are continue their weekend support of their debut EP with a headlining Saturday night show at The 5 Spot, following a free Friday in-store at Grimey’s. Them Vibes and India Ramey sweeten the deal, but the real pull is the chance to chance an exciting and brand new band you’re sure to be hearing a lot more of soon! [PO]

JUSTIN KALK, CHARGE THE ATLANTIC, JESSICA BREANNE & THE ELECTRIC HEARTS
@ The East Room | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10 | 18+

It’s almost like a flashback with a lineup including Justin Kalk, Jessica Breanne & The Electric Hearts, and Charge The Atlantic at The East Room.  If you’ve been around Nashville for long, or for longtime readers of No Country, these names won’t be new to you, but each of them have been working on new music of late, so it’s an exciting time to catch a trio of local rock staples. [MH]

THE DEAD DEADS w/ SELF/MATT MAHAFFEY, THE MIGHTY JABRONIS
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10-12 | 18+

Already heroes within the local scene, heavy, punk-tinged, alt rock outfit The Dead Deads have begun to generate a healthy buzz at the national level. Proving they’ve earned all the praise they been getting with a headlining spot at Mercy Lounge, we couldn’t be happier to see them grow in popularity after covering their grind for years! Filling out the bill will be multi-instrumentalist alt rock performer sElf/Matt Mahaffey, and professional wrestling influenced punk outfit (for their second gig of the weekend) The Mighty Jabronis. So be there in person, to see some local performers take another step towards bigger and better things. [JR]

BLOODLINE, BORN A NEW, THE HUMAN CONDITION, BREAK AND ENTER, IMPURITAN
@ The End | 7pm (6:30pm doors) | $7-10 | 18+

This weekend boasts more options than usual for fans of metal and hardcore, and Saturday night at The End is looking solid if you’re wanting to throw down. For $10 or less, you get Texas metalcore outfit Bloodline, New Jersey metalcore band Born a New, buzzy local metalcore group The Human Condition, and additional local support from hardcore punks Break and Enter and deathcore leaning Impuritan. How’s that for a stacked bill? [PO]

TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 8pm | Sold Out | All Ages

Surprising to no one (see above), Tedeschi Trucks band have sold out both nights of their two night stand at The Ryman. If you missed out on tickets, don’t worry, they’ll most likely be back next year. But jump on it as soon as they go on sale, because they are almost guaranteed to sell out again. [JR]

SUNDAY

DAN AUERBACH & THE EASY EYE SOUND REVUE ft.  ROBERT FINLEY & SHANNON SHAW w/ SHANNON AND THE CLAMS
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 7:30pm | $25-65 | All Ages

Dan Auerbach has been a busy man since he relocated to Nashville a few years ago. He, of course, is still the front man of The Black Keys, but he has also been working on and releasing solo material, along with the record he released as part of the supergroup The Arcs. When he isn’t on the road, he’s generally hunkered down in his Easy Eye Sound studio, producing, recording, or boosting the careers of his impressive roster of talent. Dan is headlining a revue of Easy Eye artists this Sunday at The Ryman, where he’ll be joined by legendary bluesman Robert Finley and Shannon Shaw of Shannon & The Clams, who also open. All three are celebrating the release of incredible new records, and you’ll get acquainted first hand, while tickets last. [MH]

HARM’S WAY w/ RINGWORM, VEIN, QUEENSWAY
@ The End | 7pm (6pm doors) | $15 | All Ages

Chicago hardcore/metalcore outfit Harm’s Way have been a staple of the scene for over a decade, and with a brand new LP, Posthuman, in their repertoire, the group’s sure to be rowdy and mosh-filled outing at The End is this weekend’s best bet for fans of hardcore. Likeminded acts Ringworm, Vein, and Queensway ensure this all ages, early show will give you your money’s worth. Just be sure to take care of each other! [PO]

MORGAN ORION, EMMA DILEMMA, CRAVE ON
@ The East Room | 8pm | $5-10 | 18+

New Orleans based anti-folk singer/songwriter Morgan Orion provides another cool option to consider in rounding out your weekend, hitting The East Room for a wallet-friendly Sunday night show alongside local indie folk singer Emma Dilemma and heady rockers Crave On. If you’re hunting for a smaller show that’s not just more punk and garage rock, this one’s a strong contender. [PO]

KYLE KINANE
@ The Basement East | 8:30pm | Sold Out | 18+

Whether or not you’ve seen his standup, you’ve almost certainly heard comedian Kyle Kinane‘s voice as the ongoing announcer for Comedy Central. The occasional TV and voice actor and podcaster boasts a hilarious, laid back, observational style, and getting to see him on the east side- increasingly becoming more comedy-friendly- will be a memorable night for everyone who snagged tickets before they sold out. [PO]

SISTER HAZEL w/ CARBON LEAF
@ City Winery | 7pm | $25 (standing room only) | All Ages

Platinum selling jangle pop alt rockers Sister Hazel burst onto the national scene huge in 1997 with their second record  …Somewhere More Familiar, and have been steadily doing their thing ever since. With ten records under their belt, including  their recently released EP entitled Water, they’ve proven to not just have legs, but nearly achieved a cult followed status. Look no further than this show, which is officially standing room only on its way to selling out with help from alt country, Celtic flavored performers Carbon Leaf. Finish your weekend right, enjoy some live music. [JR]

PHILLIP PHILLIPS w/ STRIKING MATCHES
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $25 | All Ages

While American Idol alum turned successful singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips is sure to be an exciting Sunday night draw on his own for many, it’s local openers Striking Matches, further exploring a more expansive pop and rock geared direction with new EP Retrograde, that have us most excited about this week’s Nashville Sunday Night, hosted, as always, by Lightning 100. [PO]

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