Long one of our favorite bands in the indie punk scene, Canada’s PUP, who’ve become critical darlings and scene staples in recent years, are set to return to Nashville tonight, Sept. 23 in support of their excellent new album Morbid Stuff, headlining Cannery Ballroom for their largest Music City outing to date! Joining the group are LA indie pop project Illuminati Hotties and indie pop punks Potty Mouth, making for a stellar bill from top to bottom, one fans of quality, earnest punk will want to make a priority! Tickets are available here while they last, and you can read on for more about the show!
PUP
Canadian indie punks PUP are one of the best, most exciting acts to emerge from the scene in recent memory, their eponymous, self-titled 2014 debut serving as an explosive and acclaimed start to what is shaping up to be an exciting career, and ranking among that year’s best releases. Ever since they first popped on our radar, we’ve been obsessing over the Toronto outfit’s knack for merging abrasive, raw punk energy with earnest, emotional relatability, and after catching their raucous show at clubs around town in recent years, as well as appearances at fests like Warped Tour, we’ve been eagerly awaiting a Music City return. Their brilliant, 2016 sophomore LP, The Dream Is Over, deservedly managed to transcend the punk scene, nabbing attention from the likes of NPR, Beats 1’s Zane Lowe, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and several other unlikely outlets, and ranked alongside high-profile releases from Radiohead, Beyonce, Kanye West, and Chance the Rapper as one of 2016’s best albums. That buzz put the Juno nominated rockers are on a rare and undeniable career trajectory towards crossover success without compromising their punk integrity, so it’s no surprise to them return to Nashville for their biggest headliner yet, in support of their excellent, once again critically acclaimed new album, Morbid Stuff. If you’re a fan of smart, substantive, unadulterated indie punk, you’ll want PUP in your immediately, if they’re not already; or, better yet, come see them in person!
ILLUMINATI HOTTIES
The musical outlet of LA artist Sarah Tudzin, who records and performs with a backing band, but is technically the only permanent member, Illuminati Hotties only released their debut album, Kiss Yr Frenemies, last year, and though technically a new project, Tudzin is hardly new to the music scene, having served as a producer, engineer, and production assistant to several high-profile artists. Self-described as “tenderpunk,” the band’s blend of indie pop and rock with an indie punk undercurrent, all wrapped in a soft, earnest emotional resonance, captures a contemplative, experiential feeling of modern youth, and sonically, though not as hard-hitting, feels like a compliment to PUP in similar feelings of raw honesty and personal songwriting.
POTTY MOUTH
After exploding onto the scene with excellent 2013 debut Hell Bent, Potty Mouth, who originally formed in Massachusetts, further churned out critical praise and a respectable following for their self-titled 2015 EP, their first release with their current three-piece incarnation. Fusing an affinity for a grungy, ’90s alt rock and riot grrrl sound with more contemporary indie punk and pop punk, the band balance pop accessible hooks with rock bite, which has landed them on the road with groups as diverse as CHVRCHES and Against Me!, and festivals like Riot Fest. They’ve put on a hell of a fun live show show each time we’ve had the chance to see them, and with their best album yet in tow, there’s never been a better time to see Potty Mouth live!
PUP, Illuminati Hotties, and Potty Mouth will perform tonight, Sept. 23 at Cannery Ballroom. The show is all ages, begins at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.), and tickets are available to purchase for $20.
