TWiN | This Week in Nashville | May 25-27

This weekend, most of us are likely gearing up for Memorial Day. If you aren’t traveling to make the most of your extra day off, you should try to include some music in your stay-cation. We have a few fun outdoor events, as well as a nice helping of killer club shows to pull you away from your binge watching, along with legendary stadium acts, punk icons, up and coming indie rockers, old local favorites, and so much more. Head below to see all of our staff picks in this week’s edition of TWiN!

FRIDAY

DESCENDENTS w/ RADKEY, RAELYN NELSON
@ Marathon Music Works | 8pm (6pm doors) | $30-35 | All Ages

Formed just over forty years ago in Manhattan Beach, California, though they’ve broken up and reformed numerous times since (and have been back on their latest tear now since 2010), the Descendents are one of punk’s most dependable acts, setting the template for contemporary pop punk decades before it came in vogue. Their full-length debut, Milo Goes to College, is a certifiable punk classic, and since their most prolific era in the ’80s, the group have managed to pop up roughly once a decade with a new LP, each time electing to stay true to their roots while filtering their sound and musical experience through a slightly more modern lens. The band’s latest and first release in 12 years, Hypercaffium Spazzinate, arrived in 2016, met with high critical praise, and they’ve been touring intermittently in support ever since. They’ll hit Nashville fort the first time in years this Friday, and you can read more about it right here. [PO]

AMERICAN ROOMMATES w/ MYFEVER, VID NELSON, NEWSCAST
@ The East Room | 8pm | $7 | 18+

Originally from Columbus, GA, American Roommates relocated to Nashville a few years back, and have since fully integrated into the local DIY scene, performing at clubs and alternative spaces all over town at an increasingly frequent clip. The band’s 2015 EP Tomahawk served as an admirable introduction, but as they’ve increasingly become an exciting and buzzy fixture in the local indie scene and further cemented their sound while solidifying their permeant lineup, we’ve been eagerly awaiting new tunes from the group’s current incarnation. They delivered in spades early this year with fantastic new effort Am I An Adult Yet?, and if you haven’t caught any of the recent shows in support, you have another chance this Friday at The East Room. With support from MYFEVER, Vid Nelson, and Newscast, this is looking like one of the coolest DIY finds of the weekend. [PO]

NEON BLACK, R. STEVIE MOORE, WORKING IN RETAIL
@ Mouthhole | 8pm | $5 | All Ages

Celebrating the release of their new EP Chlorophile, which drops digitally on Friday and on cassette next week, experimental, existential, ambient local duo Neon Black are heading up a rad show Friday night at house space Mouthhole. Legendary rocker R. Stevie Moore is on the bill as well (he often pops up in DIY places, but rarely house shows), along with experimental, ambient newcomers Working in Retail. If you’re looking for a something more under the radar this weekend, this is a very cool pick- just be sure to respect the house. [PO]

SMART OBJECTS w/ CREATURE COMFORT, JASMIN KASET
@ The 5 Spot | 8pm | $5 | 21+

Made up of members of local fixtures The Future, Gardening, Not Architecture, and Luthi, Smart Objects began as local artist Benjamin A Harper’s backing band (you also know him from Magnolia Sons and The Comfies,), but have since evolved into a full-fledged project, forging a sound that mixes retro rock grandiosity with a thoroughly modern, pop accessible, quirky, and smart indie rock sound. Name-checking influences from Bowie to Beck, we’d expect no less from a seasoned local fixture like Harper, and earlier this week we premiered their latest single, the excellent “Run Your Own Way.” You can check that out here, and revisit their debut single “The Autumn Man” below, before you catch the group Friday night at The 5 Spot with fellow local favorites Creature Comfort and Jasmin Kaset. It’s a wallet-friendly showcase of the best of the local rock scene, and a solid weekend bet! [PO]

MICHAEL RAULT w/ TELEFONES, RI¢HIE
@ The Basement | 9pm (8:30pm doors) | $8-10 | 21+

Canadian pop psych rocker Michael Rault is returning to Music City with a new record, entitled It’s a New Day Tonight, to promote. In addition to his latest offering, all of his back catalog is right up our alley, so this show immediately caught our eye. Throw in the tasty flavors of experimental garage rock outfit Telefones, and blog favorite RI¢HIE and you’ve got yourself a mighty fine night of music for about ten bucks. [JR]

RADATTACK, THE PILLS, GYASI
@ The Cobra | 8pm | $5 | 21+

Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Radattack have only released a handful of songs since forming last year, but, already established themselves as a bombastic, hard-hitting alt/garage rock outfit to keep an eye on. This weekend, you can catch ’em for just $5 at The Cobra, and with local psych-tinged lo-fi alt rockers The Pills and glam rocker Gyasi rounding out the bill, you can’t go wrong with this under the radar option. [PO]

MUSICIANS CORNER: COURTNEY MARIE ANDREWS, TWAIN, CHARLIE WHITTEN, THE MEDIUM, ALLISON BENCAR
@ Centennial Park | 5pm | FREE | All Ages

The weather is looking a bit more promising after a couple of rainy weekends, and if that stays true, Musician’s Corner’s Friday Acoustic Night is an excellent, free option to kick off your weekend. This week’s installment is topped by LA folk-tinged indie singer-songwriter Courtney Marie Andrews, along with Virginia folk project Twain, and locals Charlie Whitten, The Medium, and Allison Bencar. [PO]

MIKI FIKI w/ THE PRESSURE KIDS, KATY KIRBY
@ The High Watt | 9pm (8pm doors) | $7-10 | 18+

THE JOSEPHINES w/ BEARING TORCHES, FOREST FIRE GOSPEL CHOIR, STRAY NOVA
@ The Basement East | 8:30pm (7:30pm doors) | $7-10 | 21+

SATURDAY

U2
@ Bridgestone Arena | 8pm | $62-325 | All Ages

After largely devoting last year to nostalgia, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their landmark album The Joshua Tree, acclaimed Irish alt rock icons U2 are back to their more typical focus on what’s current, embarking on a followup to their 2015 Innocence + Experience Tour with an Experience + Innocence Tour, celebrating their 2017 14th album Songs of Experience. Their first show in Nashville proper since a show at Vanderbilt’s stadium in 2011 (which, itself, marked their first time in Music City since a pair of dates in the ’80s), the band’s turn at Bridgestone Arena will feature an epic, immersive, and one of a kind setup, along with a career-spanning set. There’s no opener, so we’d suggest you be punctual! [PO]

MUSICIANS CORNER: NATALIE PRASS, MICHAEL NAU, GOOD BUDDY, WILLIE BREEDING, JENNIFER HOLM, MICHAEL COAST, AVALON KALI
@ Centennial Park | 1:30pm (12pm gates) | FREE | All Ages

Musicians Corner’s incredibly well-curated spring season continues Saturday, and we’re especially excited to see a long-time favorite topping the bill: Natalie Prass. Though she’s been back in her native Virginia for a few years now, Prass will always feel like an honorary Nashvillian to us, since she went to school then subsequently honed her sound and the makings of her solo career here, before a 2015 full-length debut managed to launch her to mainstream attention and critical accolades. Prass is back with an absolutely spellbinding followup, The Future and the Past, so it’s a super cool time to see her incredible live show- bonus points that it’s for free. You also get the well-rounded talents of Michael Nau, Good Buddy, Willie Breeding, and more! [PO]

PATRICK SWEANY, GREYHOUNDS
@ The Basement | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $10-13 | 21+

Guitar slugger Patrick Sweany is celebrating the release of his latest LP, Ancient Noise, which sees the bluesy rocker take on a groovier vibe. You may remember when we premiered the excellent single “Get Along” a few weeks ago in anticipation, but, if you forgot, you can refresh the memory below.  Recording projects aside, Sweany’s live show is where he really shines with a ferocity that is not easily matched.  He’ll be joined by like-minded groove masters the Greyhounds. Don’t sleep on this show, which is sure to have the O.G. Basement rocking 8th Ave. [MH]

KAT MILK BLU w/ URBAN TROPIC, JO’SHUA ODINE
@ The End | 9pm (8pm doors) | $7-10 | 18+

Heavy blues, rock and soul collective Kat Milk Blu are headlining a nice and eclectic bill this weekend at The End, and if you like some variety in your live music, and you’re not looking to spend a fortune on a night out, this one may be the ticket. Filling out the bill will be Ohio based indie band called Urban Tropic, who draw a lot of influence from world music to help inform their unique sounds. Reggae singer songwriter Jo’Shua Odine opens up the epic night of tunes, so be sure to get there on time to get the most music for your money. [JR]

EAST NASHVILLE CRAWFISH BASH: ROOTS OF A REBELLION, KEEPS, SAD BAXTER, WHOA DAKOTA, TWEN, KASHENA SAMPSON, THE MINKS, THE INSCAPE
@ East Park | 12pm | FREE-$79.95 | All Ages

The annual East Nashville Crawfish Bash is back and ready to get its party on for a fourth year at East Park this Saturday. The all ages, dog friendly event will begin about noon, with music starting shortly after, and, if you’re just looking to hang out and take in the sights and sounds, admission is FREE! If you want to be guaranteed some crawfish and more, tickets begin at $10, with VIP packages available. Look for friends of the blog, and Tennessee Reggae aficionados Roots of a Rebellion to headline this packed out bill, also featuring local favorites like Whoa Dakota and Sad Baxter, among many others. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate over the long weekend on the cheap! [JR]

FRIEND GROUP w/ LOYALS
@ The Back Corner | 7pm (6:30pm doors) | $10 | 18+

Admittedly, we were a little out of the loop on local experimental pop/rock project Friend Group, the apparent musical alias of singer Brian Wight. However, the rising artist is set to celebrate his debut record with his first live show ever, this Saturday night at The Back Corner. Along with alt/pop trio Loyals, this is a cool option for fans of trendy, contemporary pop hoping to discover something new! [PO]

NASHVILLE TACO FEST: SWEET LIZZY PROJECT, SAN RAFAEL BAND, REVOLFUSION, DERRICK BROWN
@ Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway | 1pm | $10-50 | All Ages

Nashville’s “Original” Taco Fest returns this weekend to crown a new winner of the Music City’s best taco, but while the intense judging, which you can be a part of, is going on, there will also be loads of good eats, family fun, and more. Of course, there will be a musical component to the festivities as well, including the pop sounds of Cuban bred artist Sweet Lizzy Project, jazzy local latin rockers San Rafael Band, like-minded outfit Revolfusion, and Derrick Brown. If you are in need of some tasty fare and family friendly fun, this is a good option. [MH]

EARLY JONES, TACO MOUTH, DENMAN
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | 21+

 CLEVER HEADS PREVAIL w/ LUCA DI FABIO, JON PATTIE
@ Radio Cafe | 9pm | $5 | 21+

SUNDAY

FLATBUSH ZOMBIES w/ KIRK KNIGHT, NYCK CAUTION
@ Marathon Music Works | 8:30pm (7pm doors) | $25 | All Ages

Out on tour in support of their recently released and highly anticipated sophomore LP, Vacation in Hell, genre-bending alt hip hop performers Flatbush Zombies will be returning to Nashville for a Sunday night show at Marathon Music Works. Imagine if Death Grips had an undead child with the Geto Boys, and you’ve started to understand these guy’s sound a little, if you’re not already familiar. For the initiated, this is a not to be missed event, because you already know Flatbush put on a spectacular live show. With Kirk Knight and Nyck Caution getting things warmed up, it’s sure to be a no holds barred, rap induced mosh pit extravagance. Don’t push to the front unless you’re down to get wild, and have fun! [JR]

AWAKEBUTSTILLINBED w/ FRNDS, FAITH HOLT, WITHERWILT, HAWKINS A/V CLUB
@ The Spice Rack | 7pm | $5 | All Ages

San Jose alt/emo act awakebutstillinbed pass through town this Sunday to head up a show at house venue The Spice Rack. If they’re not yet on your radar, and you dig earnest, DIY emo, you’ll want to give their recent record what people call low self-esteem is really just seeing yourself the way that other people see you a spin ASAP!  With local support from likeminded acts FRNDS, Faith Holt, Witherwilt, and Hawkins A/V Club, this is easily the coolest DIY punk and indie show of the weekend. [PO]

NASHVILLE TACO FEST: THE DEAD DEADS, PRETTY RAVENS, MEL’S R&B JAM, STELLE AMOR
@ Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway | 1pm | $10-50 | All Ages

By the end of Sunday night, a taco champ will be crowned, and they’re sending the weekend out with a bang at the family friendly event that will be turned up a few notches by the raucous good times of blog faves The Dead Deads, local pop rockers Pretty Ravens, a sure to be fun R&B jam session, and the sultry vocals of talented songstress Stelle Amor. [MH]

MY POLITIC w/ DAMIEN BOGGS, CHARLIE TREAT, RIVER TRAMPS
@ The Basement | 8pm (7:30pm doors) | $5-7 | 21+

SCOTT MULVAHILL w/ KIERNAN MCMULLAN
@ 3rd and Lindsley | 8pm (6pm doors) | $15 | All Ages

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