TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | April 27-29

As this weekend is approaching, with perfect spring weather, it’s going to be hard to pace yourself for the evening, but with a slate featuring legacy acts, buzzy indie acts, and some top-notch local talent, you should definitely make the effort. Head below to see our top picks for this weekend, and get out to see some live music.

FRIDAY

SAVANNAH CONLEY w/ AIRPARK, HANK COMPTON
@ The High Watt | 8pm (7pm doors) | $10 | 18+

To peg local singer-songwriter Savannah Conley a “country artist,” as she occasionally has been lately, would be to undersell both her eclectic range of influences and her genre-transcendent talent. Just 21, the Nashville native sprung onto our radar with her stellar debut EP, 18th and Portland, last fall, which captured a mature and earnest songwriting style and fusion of Americana, folk, roots, and even indie rock, earning the attention of local superstar producer Dave Cobb, who signed her to his major label Low Country Sound imprint, and produced her latest EP, Twenty-Twenty. With a gorgeous and expressive sound, lovely, enchanting, and weathered vocal delivery, and a magnetic live presence, Conley has already shared the stage with the likes of Willie Nelson, Brandi Carlile, and Brent Cobb, and in recent months has been capturing unanimous praise as she works towards a full-length debut. Though distinctly different from the likes of Margo Price and Kacey Musgraves (Savannah’s sound is a bit more orchestral and melancholy, with timeless west coast folk rock flourishes, than it is retro or alt-country), those two artists might be a good barometer for the type of career trajectory Conley is destined for in the immediate future, and as the rare artist that wholeheartedly lives up to the lofty hype, this is an especially cool time to catch her on the ascent. At just $10 to boot, this feels like the weekend’s most essential show. Airpark and Hank Compton on the bill are just a bonus. [PO]

SAD BAXTER, GHOST FOOT, THE OLD PAINTS, BLEARY
@ The East Room | 9pm (8pm doors) | $5 | 18+

We’ve been obsessing over local duo Sad Baxter for years now, who, with their grungy riffs, pop accessibility, and personal and melancholy themes craft typically sad, sarcastic songs which are delightfully juxtaposed with singalong worthy hooks, making them an essential rising act in Nashville’s flourishing underground rock scene. The group play out regular, but are always a highly-recconmended show, and on Friday they top a bill at The East Room that’s looking like one of the best DIY options around. For just $5 you also get Shreveport and Nashville based garage rockers Ghost Foot, Birmingham and Nashville indie/garage act The Old Paints, and up and coming local dreamy indie rockers Bleary. [PO]

DANIEL ELLSWORTH & THE GREAT LAKES w/ THE WHISTLES AND THE BELLS
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $10 | All Ages

Local indie pop sensation Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes have increasing the buzz around the three part release of their 2018 LP Fashion. Chapter One was released earlier this winter, and the wildly fun Chapter Two follow up dropped this week. If you’ve never seen DE&tGLs live, then you’ve really missed out on an incredible live show. Throw in site fave The Whistles And The Bells, and this is easily one of the best local shows of the weekend! [MH]

ALL TIME LOW
@ The Cowan | 7pm | Sold Out | All Ages
Nashville Is The Reason Official After Party
@ The Cowan | 10pm | FREE | All Ages

Modern pop punk icons All Time Low return to Nashville this weekend for what’s being billed an intimate, acoustic show at Top Golf’s The Cowan, and given that they headlined Ascend last time around, it certainly feels intimate by comparison. The group have remained wildly popular since first raising to mainstream attention more than a decade, so it’s no surprise that this one’s totally sold out. If you missed out on tickets though, you can always catch Nashville Is The Reason’s FREE After Party in the same space immediately after the show, around 10 p.m., where they’ll be spinning all your favorite punk and emo late into the night- all ages and no ticket required (details here). [PO]

MIKE FRAZIER, AVERY MANDEVILLE, BRIAN MILLIGRAM, V BLACKBURN, MARIGOLD
@ Café Coco | 7pm | $5 | All Ages

Blending folk punk with the roots music of his native Shenandoah Valley, singer-songwriter Mike Frazier is an up and coming artist you should have an eye on, especially if you dig some of the rootiser performers to have been adopted by the punk scene, like Frank Turner or Chuck Ragan. He tops a $5 DIY show Friday night at Cafe Coco that’s worthy of your attention if you’re looking for the best of what’s next, along with New Jersey indie folk singer-songwriter Avery Mandeville, local folk punk transplant Brian Milligram, blues pop local singer-songwriter V Blackburn, and upstate New York alt/pop punk group Marigold. [PO]

ZETA, VLADOPUS9, BAZOOKATOOTH, DOCTOR JUNGLE CAT
@ The Cobra | 7:30pm (7pm doors) | FREE | 21+

If you’re ballin’ on a budget, this free show at The Cobra doesn’t skimp on quality, with Venezuelan experimental, post-rock, mathy outfit Zeta topping the bill. For the low, low price of free, you also get eclectic, experimental locals Vladopus9, hardcore punks Bazookatooth, and rockers Doctor Jungle Cat. [PO]

THE TEMPTATIONS, THE FOUR TOPS
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 7:30pm | Sold Out | All Ages

When two of the Motown sound’s defining groups come to town, sharing top billing at probably the best indoor venue around, you should take notice. The Temptations and The Four Tops have made a litany of hits so numerous, you can almost guarantee you’ll be familiar with every song on the entire setlist. The thing that makes this truly unique is it being billed as a duel headliner show, with the chance that there can be some cross pollination between some legends in music live on stage. Unsurprisingly, this big-name show sold out in advance, but if you snagged tickets, you’re in for a nostalgic and legendary night. [JR]

A’ROSE, ANDREW LEAHEY AND THE HOMESTEAD, JEREMY PINNELL, MAXWELL PUTNAM
@ The Basement | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $7-10 | 21+

SATURDAY

JAPANESE BREAKFAST w/ SNAIL MAIL
@ Exit/In | 9pm (8pm doors) | Sold Out | 18+

A fast rising, critically beloved indie rock talent, Japanese Breakfast is the solo moniker of Oregon rocker Michelle Zauner. Though her turn as a solo artist was prompted by sad circumstances, the last few years have seen Michelle blossom as an earnest, complex, and incredible songwriting talent, with two wonderful and well-reviewed LPs to her name. Out on the road in support of her latest, last year’s near-concept album Soft Sounds from Another Planet, Japanese Breakfast will pass through Nashville this Saturday to headline Exit/In, along with young, fast rising Baltimore indie rock talent Snail Mail. Two must-know performers destined for great things, if you managed to snag tickets, you’re in for perhaps the best indie show of the weekend. [PO]

NO MEN, DONORS, PEACHY
@ Betty’s Grill | 8pm | $7

Adopting a heavy, grungy, deconstructed punk sound, Chicago’s No Men are a group hard at pinning with a specific genre classifier. Passing through town this weekend, they head up another stacked DIY show that should on the radar of any discerning fan of underground punk, with support from locals Donors and Peachy. [PO]

CASHMERE CAT w/ SHMUCK THE LOYAL, HUSTLE UP
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm (8pm doors) | $22-25 | 18+

A major crowd pleaser on the festival circuit, Cashmere Cat is a Norwegian DJ/producer/turntablist who has rubbed elbows with many huge names falling in the Kanye West and Ariana Grande level of hype. To see him explode bass hits on faces at Mercy Lounge is truly surprising, consider he’s performed on hundreds of much larger stages. Fans of EDM should’ve already had this one circled on the calendar, and if you’re looking to rage Saturday, this might be you best bet. Expect like minded fare from Shmck the Loyal, and locals Hustle Up, and don’t wait until the last minute; this one will be filling up fast. [JR]

SWIMMING WITH BEARS
@ Analog | 9pm (6pm doors) | FREE w/ RSVP | 18+

Alumni of our Acme showcase series, Texas alt/indie rockers Swimming with Bears harbor an eclectic array of influences and a whole lot of soul. Their new single “French Girls” (below) indicates exciting things on tap this year for the group, who are phenomenal live, and when they return to Music City this weekend, it’s for a totally free show at hip new space Analog (which is in the Hutton, and is seriously worth checking out). [PO]

BURKISH, BOXER JOY, THE DAYTONA MACHINES
@ Springwater Supper Club | 9pm | $5 | 21+

We often don’t give longtime famed dive Springwater Supper Club enough attention for its live music, but Tennessee’s oldest bar has long been an excellent space for small, cool, under the radar local and touring acts (and the occasional flashy drop-in like Kesha or The Black Keys). For just $5 Saturday night, you can catch local indie/garage rockers Burkish, along with Alabama alt/emo/post-punks Boxer Joy and Nashville art punk trio The Daytona Machines– a great, off the beaten path find. [PO]

GREAT PEACOCK w/ BELLE ADAIR
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $10-12 | 18+

Local Southern rockers Great Peacock are touring in celebration of their excellent, Neil Young-esque, new release Gran Pavo Real record, and will be bring their exquisite live show to The High Watt on Saturday night. They’ll be joined by like-minded outfit Belle Adair, who are also celebrating the release of their equally excellent new record Tuscumbia. Both bands are geared for success beyond this small club show, and it’s an opportunity to catch both at an intimate venue before they blow up. [MH]

THE BOOM BAP! ft. DJ GREEN LANTERN w/ CASE BLOOM, BOWLS, RATE
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $10 at the door | 21+

Music City’s monthly hip hop extravaganza Boom Bap! is still rolling strong, welcoming yet another huge name in the world of DJs and hip hop producers. In 2002 DJ Green Lantern was hand picked by Eminem to be the official DJ for Shady Records. His collaborations, and mixtapes have been dropping to wide adulation ever since, featuring collaborations with names like Nas, Ghostface, Wiz Khalifa, and of course Slim Shady, to name just a few. There’s no telling what he’ll spin, but it’s sure to be dope, and it is Music City, so there could always be a surprise or two as well. Don’t be late, and risk it selling out. [JR]

SUNDAY

HAIM w/ LIZZO
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 7:30pm | $45 | All Ages

Sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim began performing as HAIM as early as 2007, though school and other musical ventures divided their focus until it became a full-time pursuit in 2012, finding immediate praise and paving the way for stellar 2013 debut Days Are Gone. While HAIM’s music is often compared to ’70s rock, pop rock, soft rock, and r&b, the group are loud, heavy, and guitar-driven in concert, which has allowed them to attract a large and enthusiastic fansbase. With last year’s highly-anticipated and critically-acclaimed sophomore effort, Something to Tell You, which arrived after continued praise and an arena tour with Taylor Swift, the trio feel as relevant and focused as ever, and as they hit Nashville for their first proper headlining show outing (a previously planned 2014 date was canceled), the seasoned group seem like the weekend’s best bet. The addition of buzzy, incredible rising rapper Lizzo helps make this show all the more essential, and only a few remaining tickets have been released last minute- don’t snooze. [PO]

PLEASURES, Z, SKOOLGIRL, DIATOM DELI
@ Betty’s Grill | 9pm (8pm doors) | $7

Experimental Florida psych rockers Pleasures head up yet another stacked, wallet friendly weekend DIY option, Sunday night at Betty’s. Local support is looking pretty sweet too, with art punk project Z, reunited indie punks Skoolgirl, and ambient, electro-laced, folky group Diatom Deli. [PO]

COUCH JACKETS w/ THE DREADED LARAMIE, PEACHTEA
@ The Basement | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $5-7 | 21+

Arkansas’ Couch Jackets play a groovy, experimental, psych-tinged style of indie pop that had us instantly hooked, and with frequent stops in Nashville, plus a recording session at The Bomb Shelter that produced their excellent recent single “Oh Opossum, My Opossum,” the group should definitely be on your regional radar. Along with local alt/indie outfit The Dreaded Laramie and ambient, indie project Peachtea, this Sunday night bill at the original Basement is looking pretty sweet. [PO]

B|_ANK, ASUKUBUS, HAIRFACE, NEBULOSA, SKIN TENSION
@ Mouthhole | 9pm | $5-10

If you’re craving something even more DIY and under the radar, house space the Mouthhole has you covered with this stellar Sunday option. Ambient, experiment, electro noise project B|_ank tops the lineup, along with queer, femme, experimental Dallas collective Askubus, New Orleans noisy performance art duo Hairface, St. Louis experimental dark synthwave outfit Nebulosa, and local freeform, experimental noise band Skin Tension. If that all sounds up your ally, you’ll need to ask a punk for that address. [PO]

ART SUPPLIES BENEFIT ft. APOLLO UP!, FRANCES & THE FOUNDATION, CARTER ADMINISTRATION
@ The 5 Spot | 8pm | 21+

In support of recent budget shortfalls, three local rockers are trying to make a difference.  Post-punk rockers Apollo Up!, powerhouse alt-rockers Frances & The Foundation, and longtime local rockers Carter Administration are throwing a benefit show to help raise money for the underprivileged kids (and teachers) out there with a fundraiser to provide art supplies. While the charitable aspect is honorable and important, don’t think there isn’t anything in it for you. This show is filled with hard-hitting rockers that will make you forget that the weekend is coming to an end. [MH]

BUMMER w/ SHEEP SHIFTER, DEATH CARD
@ The End | 9pm (8pm doors) | $7 | 18+

If a heavy, intimate show sounds like more your cup of tea, The End is a strong contender with a very cool Sunday lineup. Hailing from Kansas City, BUMMER play sludgy, noisy, heavy punk-infused rock, that’s sure to get things loud and rowdy. With local support from mathy, noisy, post-hardcore group Sheep Shifter and hardcore/metalcore group Death Card, this is a top weekend ticket for fans of substantive heavy music. [PO]

BLACK VENUS, FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER, ANEURYSM, TOMMY WOMACK
@ The East Room | 8pm | $5 | 18+

Locals Black Venus are a heavy blues group, fusing traditional Delta blues slide guitar riffs with lots of volume and fuzz, making for a harder, darker blues sound. The buzzy duo top a cool, budget-friendly Sunday night option at The East Room, which also features groovy rock newcomers Family Worship Center, heavy Boston rockers Aneurysm, and a special reading from the one and only Tommy Womack. [PO]

AS THE CROW FLIES w/ ONCE AND FUTURE BAND
@ The Ryman Auditorium | 7:30pm | Sold Out | All Ages

Former Black Crowes frontman Chris Robinson has a new project that’s taken flight, and As The Crow Flies‘ current tour will be landing in one of the pretest coupes in all of Nashville. With a sound described as a funky take on southerm rock, it’s sure to have people grooving. There are also other familiar faces in the lineup. The collective is made up of some former Crowes (guitarist Audley Freed, bassist Andy Hess, keyboardist Adam MacDougal) as well as the drummer (Tony Leone) from another well received post Crowes project, Chris Robinson Brotherhood. With the assist from Once and Future Band in the warmup spot, it’s sure be an amazing night of music in a marvelous setting. [JR]

WEBB WILDER
@ Exit/In | 7pm (6pm doors) | $20-25 | 18+

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