TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | March 9-11

As the entire music universe begins their descent to Austin for next week’s SXSW music conference, there are a ton of buzzy bands floating en route, and Nashville is a prime stopping point for a number of east coast performers. If you aren’t going to be making the trek yourself, there is a good chance that you can head out this weekend to take in some of the action.  If you aren’t into the whole discovery aspect (but somehow still read this site), don’t sweat it, we’ve rounded up all the worthy shows that should be on your radar below, in this weekend’s edition of TWiN!

FRIDAY

LOW
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $20 | 18+

American rockers Low have been on the scene for 25 years now, and continue to see their popularity grow.  Hailing from the Duluth, MN music scene, the band were initially characterized through their slow, minimalist arrangements (that would arguably be the influence of bands like Beach House today), but found themselves expanding that sound with the help of superstars like Steve Albini and landing on in the mid aughts with Sub Pop, which saw them release their seminal The Great Destroyer in 2005.  While they never Low didn’t catch the mainstream wave that many of their contemporaries are still riding today, you can see their continued influence in the buzzing rock bands today (including a couple of incredible covers by Robert Plant), not to mention their songs are littered through television and movie credits. Big fan of the band or not, seeing a band of their caliber perform at The High Watt, is an opportunity not to be missed. [MH]

JEEZY w/ TEE GRIZZLEY
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 8pm | $30-45 | All Ages

Though he’s been in the game for 20 years, Atlanta rapper Jeezy rose to mainstream fame in the mid-’00s, part of an explosion of interest in southern and trap hip hop, which he helped pioneer along with T.I. and Gucci Mane. Then known as Young Jeezy, the prolific MC has released numerous LPs, mixtapes, group collaborations, and guest spots in his more than a decade in the spotlight, and is inarguably one of modern hip hop’s most influential figures, even if he’s not quite the household name of some of his more crossover primed peers. Along with Tee Grizzley, Jeezy hits War Memorial Auditorium this Friday in celebration of his latest, Pressure, and in a weekend stuffed with indie bands en route to SX, this a strong option for hip hop fans. [PO]

WALLOWS w/ FIELD MEDIC
@ Third Man Records | 8pm (7pm doors) | Sold Out | All Ages

While co-frontman Dylan Minnette is best known for his burgeoning acting career, in the likes of Goosebumps, Don’t Breathe, and most famously 13 Reasons Why, his LA-based rising power-pop outfit Wallows are impressively cool and deserved of attention removed from his celebrity. With just a handful of tracks to their name, the group’s breezy, tight, indie sound is churning up quite a bit of buzz, and coupled with Minnette’s fame, it’s no surprise that they sold out their appearance at one of a kind showspace Third Man. [PO]

FOSSIL YOUTH w/ NORTHBOUND, MULLIGAN’S MATCH, SMALLVILLE
@ The End | 8pm (7pm doors) | $7-10 | 18+

Oklahoma alt/emo outfit Fossil Youth are no strangers to Music City (coincidentally, they played here exactly one year prior, and have been back since), but it’s always a treat when they pass through. The band’s 2016 full-length debut, A Glimpse of Self Joy, navigated the waters of punk, indie, and pop, crafting earnest and dynamic songs that seamlessly weave between influences, and landing as easily one of the year’s most underrated releases. Along with Florida’s Northbound and locals Mulligan’s Match and Smallville, this under radar show is definitely the move if you like earnest indie, emo, and punk. [PO]

ELOHIM w/ YOSHI FLOWER, JAMES DROLL
@ Exit/In | 8pm (7pm doors) | $15-17 | 18+

Enigmatic, Los Angeles based pop singer Elohim has generated plenty of allure by remaining incredibly secretive (until recently, it was next to impossible to even find a photo of her face), but the fact that her buzz has only grown over the past couple of years, leading up to her forthcoming debut full-length, is indebted more to the strength of her music, a stylish and contemporary flavor of electro-pop that we can’t get enough of. Apparently for the first time ever, the rising talent will play Nashville this Friday at Exit/In, joined by fellow LA based and equally mysterious artist Yoshi Flower, as well as local favorite James Droll. For those unfamiliar, it might be hard to sell you on artists we know little about, but if you like huge, hook-laden indie pop, we strongly encourage you to dig into this one. [PO]

SHELL OF A SHELL w/ MANEKA, STOVE, BLEARY
@ Fond Object (downtown) | 8pm (7pm doors) | $7-10 | All Ages

It’s a busy weekend at Fond Object 4th Ave, and Friday night’s show looks extra cool, as local experimental, punk tinged outfit Shell of a Shell celebrate their first ever physical release, a cassette of new EP Already There. En route to SXSW, you also get Maneka, the new post-punk project from ex-Speedy Ortiz guitarist Devin McKnight and a solo set from Steve Hartlett of indie punk outfit Stove, plus local support from buzzy newcomers Bleary. Don’t sleep on this one! [PO]

ONLY, SOFT BODIES, SUITORS
@ The Cobra | 9pm | $5 | 21+

A solid local option in the weekend lineup features local rockers Only, whose 2017 EP, Language, is definitely worth listening to, if you haven’t already given it a spin. They’ll be joined by local art pop outfit Soft Bodies, as well as the debut show for Suitors.  If you are looking to get hip to the Nashville scene, this is a low priced option on the East Side. [MH]

LP w/ NOAH KAHAN, KAT CUNNING
@ Cannery Ballroom | 8:30pm (7:30pm doors) | Sold Out | 18+

A modern icon in the making, eclectic indie rocker LP has been wowing us for years with her unbelievable talent, both in her phenomenal live shows and with a string of excellent albums (and behind the scenes as well, penning songs for some huge acts). Given her incredible reputation, it’s no surprise that the singer’s Cannery Ballroom outing sold out in advance, but if you snagged tickets, you’re in for a huge treat. [PO]

SMOOTH HOUND SMITH w/ FORLORN STRANGERS, KATIE BUXTON
@ The Cowan (Top Golf) | 7pm | $15-30 | All Ages

Hosting a sold out George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic is great way for a venue to raise it’s profile, and The Cowan (at Top Golf) is keeping the hits coming this weekend with rising local stars Smooth Hound Smith earning top billing Friday. The blues drenched, foot stompin’ folk-rock duo have earned much respect in the local scene, opening up for some huge acts (including The Dixie Chicks in 2016), and crushing stages all over Music City. If you’ve you never seen them live before, there’s no better time than now, and with help from Forlorn Strangers, and Katie Buxton in the warm up spots it promises to be well worth the time/effort. [JR]

THE WIND + THE WAVE w/ JESSE RUBEN, RACHEL PRICE
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10-12 | 18+

Touring in support of their latest effort, Human Beings Let You Down, Austin, TX based alt indie rockers The Wind + The Wave are making their return to Nashville to put it down live and in person at Mercy Lounge. They’ve been finding success the old fashioned way, touring the region relentlessly and putting out quality new material while they do it. The additions of singer-songwriter Jesse Ruben, and pop soul singer Rachel Price will make this an evening to be remembered. [JR]

I’M WITH HER (Aoife O’Donovan, Sara Jarosz, Sara Watkins)
@ Grimey’s | 5pm | FREE | All Ages
@ Station Inn | 9pm (7pm doors) | $25 | All Ages

If you haven’t caught wind of bonafied supergroup I’m With Her then you should take note immediately.  The trio features multi-Grammy Award winners Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aofie O’Donovan, who have seen immense success for their roles in Nickel Creek and Crooked Still, not to mention contributions to the works of The Civil Wars, John Mayer, Alison Krauss, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, and many more.  They just released their stellar debut album, See You Around, and are stopping into Nashville this week for a string of shows including a special set at famed bluegrass venue Station Inn. If you are feeling left out because you have plans later in the evening, then head out of work a bit early to catch their free in-store at Grimey’s. Needless to say, you won’t be disappointed with the touching twang featuring a lineup like this. [MH]

LEWIS BLACK
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 8pm | $32.50-$75 | All Ages

Achieving counterculture icon status as a decades long standup performer and sometimes political commentator on The Daily Show, comedian Lewis Black is sure to be bring a not-to-be-missed and scathing critique of the state of America under President Trump. Black’s take on the dark-humored, ultra-sarcastic version of the angry everyman will no doubt be at fever pitch during his set at The Ryman. Be prepared to hear some of the foulest language the Mother Church has possibly ever heard, as well as some of the most powerful gut-busting laughs. [JR]

SATURDAY

LUCY DACUS w/ AND THE KIDS, ADULT MOM
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $12-15 | 18+

Raised in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia, and formerly a film student at the city’s Virginia Commonwealth University- she dropped out to pursue music- Lucy Dacus adopts a breezy, introspective indie rock that we absolutely can’t get enough of. Though a bit more indie leaning and full band-geared, Dacus with her raw earnestness reminds us of another favorite, local singer Julien Baker. Lucy’s debut, No Burden, dropped in early 2016, and was re-issued and given a physical label release later in the year, helping her smart, worldly, personal songs and pleasant, laid back, and enthralling musical aesthetic resonate throughout 2017, boosted by constant touring and festival outings. Dacus just dropped a stunning new sophomore effort, Historian, and seems to be gearing up for her biggest year yet, making Saturday night at The High Watt with And the Kids and Adult Mom an especially exciting chance to see this incredible young perfumer on the rise. [PO]

PROPAGANDHI w/ IRON CHIC, LA ARMADA
@ Mercy Lounge | 8pm (7pm doors) | $20-25 | 18+

Champions of anti-fascism since well before it became a pressing, 21st century crisis, long-running Canadian punk/metal outfit Propagandhi have never felt more urgent or their decades-long outspokenness more necessary than right now. Back with their first record in five years, last fall’s Victory Lap, the seminal punks hit Nashville, seemingly for the first time in years (we can’t find any record of a previous Music City outing, though in 22 years, they’ve almost certainly been here), for a Saturday night show at Mercy Lounge with buzzy melodic punks Iron Chic, and Dominican Republic formed, Chicago based eclectic hardcore outfit La Armada. Come for the excellent thrash and metal influenced punk, stay for the timely political and social discourse. [PO]

WESTERN MEDICATION, MICROWAVE MOUNTAIN, SAD BAXTER, BUTTHOLE
@ The Basement | 9pm (8:30pm doors) | $6-8 | 21+

Conjuring an unabashedly retro post-punk sound, dripping with indie pop flourish, tinges of psych pop, and some punk bite, locals Western Medication spent years honing their phenomenal sound and paying their dues as a persistent figure in the DIY scene, before releasing their debut full-length, The Entertainers’ Secret, in 2016. This weekend, they top a bill at the OG Basement, sponsored by tastemaking west coast label Burger Records, joined by some seriously stacked fellow local talent: garage rockers Microwave Mountain, grunge pop duo Sad Baxter, and garage punks Butthole. It’s a crazy weekend, but this is one of the best looking bills for the price. [PO]

SLOPPY JANE w/ SPODEE BOYS, THE SHITDELS
@ Third Man Records | 9:30pm (9pm doors) | Sold Out | 18+

Brooklyn based by way of Los Angeles, punk collective Sloppy Jane are buzzworthy and picking up steam in the blogosphere, so it’s no surprise that their pre-SXSW stopoff at Third Man Records’ Blue Room with likeminded locals Spodee Boy and The Shitdels sold out in advance. If you snagged tickets, you’re in for an awesome show. [PO]

Z, STUYEDEYED, TELEFONES, WHITE WOOLLY, GUSTAF
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $5 | 21+

Wishing you were heading to Austin next weekend for SXSW, but running, understandably, low on cash? Head out to celebrate with our pals from Cold Lunch at The 5 Spot on Saturday night where they will be hosting a sendoff from some local outfits that are making the trek. You’ll get to catch some stellar indie rock from Z and the luscious psychedelic swirl of Telefones. Want to get to know some of the other bands heading to the great melee of music?  You’ll also get to check out the almost spaghetti psych stylings of Louisville’s White Woolly, and NY based psychsters Stuyedeyed and supergroup Gustaf. [MH]

WIEUCA, SPIRIT WEEK, JUAN DE FUCA, LOU TURNER AND THE STYROFOAM WINOS
@ Two Boots Pizza | 8pm | $5 | All Ages

Athens based outfits Wieuca and Juan de Fuca (f.k.a. Uncle Dad) are swirling around the southeast en route to Austin’s SXSW, and they are both worthy of your attention. The former experiments with indie rock in the vein of seminal bands like Pavement, while the latter takes a more direct Strokes-ian approach. They’re joined on this tour by Bowling Green/Nashville groovy indie rockers Spirit Week, and Lou Turner & the Styrofoam Winos will open things up in a show that is sure to introduce you to a new band that you’ll be telling your friends about in the weeks to come. [MH]

VITA AND THE WOOLF w/ BROTHER SUNDANCE
@ The Basement | 7pm (6:30pm doors) | $8-10 | 21+

Hailing from Philadelphia, indie pop outfit Vita and the Woolf are yet another band en route to SXSW we’re stoked to see pass thorough. Centered around singer Jennifer Pague, they’ll bring their electro-soaked, harmonic sound to the original Basement on Saturday night, joined by local indie pop transplant Brother Sundance. The only downside about all of the great shows this weekend is that we can’t be 10 places at once, but the upside is that no matter what you choose, you’ll find a great show. [PO]

ELLE EXXE, PHENIX, STASNEY MAV, CLINTON JOHN
@ The East Room | 9pm (8pm doors) | $8 | 18+

Scottish bred, London based pop singer Elle Exxe has managed to churn up lots of buzz for her feisty, synthy, stylish sound, making tons of headway as an independent artist and earning a reputation as a singer you should be keeping an eye on. Ahead of SX, she’s stopping in at The East Room, for yet another cool, cheap, promising local option, along with Phenix, Stasney Mav, and Clinton John. [PO]

DOJA CAT w/ KIYA LACEY, CHERELE, DJ CROPTOPTOT
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | $20 | 18+

Ahead of, you guessed it, SXSW, LA’s Doja Cat stops in on Exit/In Saturday night for one of the coolest shows in a weekend jam-packed with cool shows. Boasting a trendy, electro-infused pop/r&b sound, Doja is perfectly compliment by local rising star Kiya Lacey, along with Atlanta rapper Cherele and DJ Croptoptot. R&B and hip hop fans won’t want to pass this one up. [PO]

ELLIOT ROOT w/ LEAH BLEVINS
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | Sold Out | All Ages

Local legends, who seem poised to break big nationally, Elliot Root have already managed to sell out night one of their weekend stand at 3rd and Lindsley, and it doesn’t surprise us in the least. They caught attention with their alt Americana sound at Live On The Green 2015, and they blew us away again at Live On The Green 2017. Backed by their stellar new record, Conjure, and Leah Blevins in the opening spot, it was really more matter of when this would sell out, not if. [JR]

TOM GREEN
@ City Winery | 7pm (5pm doors) | $20-28 | All Ages

Canadian screwball comedian Tom Green will be stopping in on Nashville this weekend to perform in the friendly confines fo City Winery. Tom achieved mainstream notoriety as the host of sketch/talk show The Tom Green Show on MTV during the height of the cable channel’s popularity in the ’90s and into the early ’00s.He’d go on to host several other talk shows, including a webcast set in own living room, before beginning to focus on standup in 2010. For fans of his shows, and for ’90’s MTV kids, this will be a great trip down memory lane, as well as a night of big laughs that can be enjoyed by all.  [JR]

SUNDAY

MGMT w/ COLA BOYY
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 7:30pm | $39.50-59.50 | All Ages

Back with a new album, their first effort in nearly five years, psych and synth tinged indie duo MGMT‘s latest, Little Dark Age, is a focused, relaxed return to form, aligning the band’s more off-kilter, psyched out tendencies with a pop focus, and positioning itself to perhaps be their best received record since 2007 debut Oracular Spectacular. Refusing to conform to any one indie rock ideal, MGMT have largely spent the last decade maintaining an experimental and fiercely independent spirit, occasionally to the chagrin of fans, never seeming all that interested in recreating the surprise breakout success of early hit “Kids” and “Electric Feel.” Looking back over the last 10 years though, that attitude has certainly made them a more interesting band for it, and with the traction from an exciting new album to fuel them, their first outing in Nashville since 2010 might just be the coolest show of the entire packed weekend. Cola Boyy opens. [PO]

PUBLIC ACCESS T.V. w/ HONDURAS, WILLIE BREEDING
@ The End | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10 | 18+

Fronted by John Eatherly of mid ’00s Nashville rock juggernaut Be Your Own Pet, New York’s Public Access T.V. have grown from incredibly buzzworthy newcomers to heralded modern post-punk fixture in a matter of just a few short years. While their debut, 2016’s Never Enough, was great, the band’s latest, the brand new Street Safari, is superior, flexing a more confident, adventurous, and honed sound primed to speed up their already rapid ascent. The group return to town Sunday, a pseudo homecoming show for Eatherly, to headline The End with Honduras and Willie Breeding, and though there are a dozen shows that would all be worth your time, this is low-key one of the absolute best of the entire weekend. [PO]

SMART OBJECTS, WATERFALL WASH, PERSONAL SPACE
@ Crying Wolf | 9pm | 21+

Looking for a local bill to fit your fancy this weekend? Longtime local musician Benjamin A. Harper’s new high energy, retro pop outfit Smart Objects have been making waves with a string of new singles that have us eagerly awaiting news of a debut LP. They’re joined by long time blog faves Waterfall Wash, who are riding high off the release of last year’s Become What You See, as well as Brooklyn based rockers Personal Space. [MH]

BUTTHOLE, STEP SISTERS, MOCCASIN COWBOY, GOTH DAD
@ Two Boots Pizza | 7:30pm (7pm doors) | $7 | All Ages

If seeing a (really awesome) band called Butthole play at a pizza joint sounds like your idea of a good Sunday night, then you’re in luck. The local garage punks are fun and energetic in concert, and fittingly head up a great local and regional lineup alongside local garage rock outfit Step Sisters, Knoxville jangly lo-fi rockers Moccasin Cowboy, and Mississippi indie/dream pop group Goth Dad. Can’t go wrong with this one. [PO]

JOUSKA, FLORAL PRINT, SCOOTERBABE
@ Fond Object (downtown)| 8pm (7pm doors) | $7 | All Ages

Yet another show of under the radar, SXSW bound bands, that you should give some consideration too this weekend. Philly/NY based rockers Jouska, which awesomely is the word that defines the conversation you have in your head with yourself and someone else, have a truly hip sound that successfully describes the venn diagram of post rock, shoegaze, and lo-fi emo. They just followed up their 2016 release, topiary, with a fresh new single “calico,” that you can check out below. They’ll be joined by Atlanta based proggy, experimental rockers floral print who are touring in support of their 2017 release mirror stages and emo pop outfit scooterbabe. [MH]

MEN I TRUST w/ BANTUG
@ The Basement | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $10-12 | 21+

At this point, why would you trek to Austin and deal with all the lines and chaos when so many SXSW are playing in Nashville this weekend? Throwing another must-see option in the impossible to pick from myriad of excellent shows, Montreal dance-primed indie pop outfit Men I Trust should be especially excellent in an up close and sweaty sitting like The Basement, and with well-matched local favorite Bantug on the bill, it only becomes even more enticing. [PO]

MILK & BONE w/ DIZZY
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $10-12 | 18+

Canadian electropop duo Milk & Bone first burst onto the scene in their native, French speaking Montréal with their debut Little Mourning in 2015, which garnered them significant acclaim, including a Polaris Music Prize nomination. They followed that up with this year’s Deception Bay, which only sees the talented producers and vocalists continue their well deserved ascension. Likeminded, fellow Canadian four piece Dizzy are set to open for what is set up as a magical evening in the comfortable confines of The High Watt. [MH]

ELLIOT ROOT w/ FUTURE THIEVES
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $12 | All Ages

If you missed out on tickets to night one of local heroes Elliot Root‘s weekend stand at 3rd and Lindsley, you’re in luck, because tickets still remain for night two. After hearing their latest offering, Conjure, we think they have the chance to be the next national-primed act to come out of Music City (see Moon Taxi, Bully, The Weeks, etc, etc). We should you warn you though, with No Country Presents alum Future Thieves opening up, this one will almost certainly sell out as well, so don’t delay. Also, if it does sell out before you can get a ticket, or money is just too tight, be sure to tune into Lighting 100 to hear the performances broadcast live.  [JR]

THE MIGHTY JABRONIS, COWBOYS, GRACE VONDERKUHN, MINOR SECOND
@ The Cobra | 8pm | $5 | 21+

DONNIE FRITTS w/ DON GALLARDO
@ City Winery | 7pm (5pm doors) | $15-20 | All Ages

YUNG PINCH
@ The Basement East | 8pm (7pm doors) | $17-20 | 18+

DERMOT KENNEDY w/ JANELLE KROLL
@ Exit/In | 8pm (7pm doors) | Sold Out | 18+

HALLOW POINT w/ HERETICS, DUSK BEFORE DAWN, OF SERPENTS
@ The East Room | 8:30pm (8pm doors) | $5 | 18+

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