Months ago, it would have seemed that the inaugural SoundHarvest Music Fest would be dominating this weekend’s music news. While it is a big addition, there is still plenty more going on including two nights of Walk The Moon at The Ryman, Battles setting up to destroy Exit/In on Saturday, a three day run in the backyard at Fond Object, and an absolutely stacked Sunday Funday bill dubbed Dickerson Skyline at Charlie Bobs.
FRIDAY
DIAMOND CARTER
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm | FREE | All Ages
You’ve probably heard the newest single from Diamond Carter on heavy rotation on Lightning 100 this week. The new track, “Looks Ain’t Gonna Pay My Rent,” is the first peek into the upcoming EP from the talented local songwriter, and it is another solid effort. If you are still in the dark, head below for a listen, and then make your way over to Soulshine Pizza tonight for a free happy hour style set. [MH]
STRIKING MATCHES w/ FAIRGROUND SAINTS
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $10 | All Ages
One of the hottest songwriting duos to come out of Nashville in recent years, Striking Matches have found universal acclaim and worldwide attention since the release of their full-length debut, Nothing But the Silence, earlier this year. Though generally pegged a country act, their sound is much more expansive, drawing influence from rock and blues, and their songs are so damn good that that they’ve managed to capture endless crossover appeal. This weekend, they return to 3rd & Lindsley with Fairground Saints. Be sure to welcome them home. [PO]
CASPIAN w/ CIRCLE TAKES THE SQUARE
@ The High Watt| 8:30pm | $15 | 18+
Touring in support of their latest offering, Dust and Disquiet, which just dropped last month, seasoned new wave post-rockers Caspian are in town to help blow your mind this weekend. Also, be sure to head on over to The High Watt early for road tested experimental screamo outfit Circle Takes The Square. All this wonderful tunage for just $15! It’s going to be hard to top that. [JR]
BENJAMIN A HARPER w/ TETHERBALL, THE POLLIES, THE BRUNS
@ The Basement | 9pm | $5 | 21+
If you’re balling on a budget, than we have the steal of the week, in the form of an epic low dough show at The Basement. For just $5, you get a solo project from Magnolia Sons member Benjamin A. Harper, a Acme Tuesday night alumnus Tetherball, experimental noise rockers The Pollies and folk rockers The Bruns. All for under ten bucks, but odds are you won’t get off that easy on your bar tab. [JR]
EX-CULT w/ JAWWS, CHAINSHOT, WESTERN MEDICATION, SILK & SUEDE
@ The End | 8pm | $10 | 18+
Ex-Cult may hail from Memphis, but they will forever have a place in Nashville punk history thanks to their part in the now-legendary Ty Segall/Thee Oh Sees Nashville’s Dead third birthday show at the now defunct Zombie Shop. They were far from the main draw of the night, but they forced the crowd to take notice with their brutal mix of hardcore and psych-rock. If you missed them then – or any of the other number of other times they’ve made the trek up I-40 – now is your chance to rectify that by catching one of the most exciting acts on one of the most exciting labels in music – Goner Records. As a bonus, you’ll also get plenty of local favorites on the bill – Jawws, Chainshot, Western Medication and Silk & Suede will all open the show, so get to The End early and be ready for a long, brutal night. [COS]
TELEKINESIS & SAY HI w/ REPEAT REPEAT
@ The Stone Fox | 9pm | $12-15 | 18+
Seattle’s own Telekinesis and Say Hi are making a pit stop in Nashville this weekend as part of their co-headlining tour. The indie rock acts are touring in support of their latest albums AD Infinitum and Bleeders Digest, respectively. Telekinesis’ Michael Benjamin Lerner serves up some throwback, pop alt jams with the release of his fourth album. Tour mate Say Hi’s, the alt rock brainchild of Eric Elbogen, new release is the bloody good sequel to 2006’s vampire-themed Impeccable Blahs. Nashvillian surf rockers *repeat repeat will open the show. So be sure to stop by The Stone Fox this Friday night to get your early 2000s rock vibe on. [CO]
MR. AIRPLANE MAN, PRUDE BOYS, KNOT BOYS
@ Fond Object | 7pm | $5 | All Ages
Per usual, Fond Object is taking the garage into the backyard to bring you some of the coolest underground rock in the city. This Friday night features underground bluesy rock outfit, Mr. Airplane Man, who are celebrating the long awaited release of a 2000 recording, The Lost Tapes, that is serving to support a new tour for the 10 year disbanded outfit. Detroit-based fuzz rock outfit Prude Boys and Knot Boys get this east side happy hour hang going. [MH]
WALK THE MOON w/ HOLYCHILD
@ Ryman Auditorium | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages
Indie-rockers Walk The Moon are back in town with their infectious synth-pop that appeals to all ages. Their latest album, Talking is Hard, provided a more rock-influenced sound than their breakthrough 2012 self-titled debut. They’ll run through their dance-enducing hits like “Anna Sun” and “Shut Up and Dance” after LA-based duo Holychild get things pumping with their lighthearted mix of R&B influenced electro pop. [LL]
SATURDAY
SOUNDHARVEST MUSIC FEST
@ Centennial Park | 11am | $45-100 | All Ages
Unless you’ve been under a rock for the past couple of months, you’ve surely heard us talking about the inaugural SoundHarvest Music Fest happening in Centennial Park. The event costs $45 (for general admission), which is totally worth it in most markets just to spend a fall night with the headliner, The Flaming Lips, but this one also features sets from 11 other acts including Allen Stone, The Weeks, Benjamin Booker, and a slew of others. This is not the cheapest evening on the docket, but it may well be the best deal. [MH]
LERA LYNN w/ BRIAN WHELAN
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $15 | All Ages
While we’ve been hip to the sweet sounds of local Americana singer-songwriter Lera Lynn for awhile now, the rest of the world is just now catching on, and rightfully so. Being cast as the mysterious bar singer in season 2 of HBO’s True Detective and securing placement in the show’s soundtrack created a crazy buzz around Lynn, along with the classic country feel of her solo material, so be sure to check her out this weekend. [MG]
BATTLES w/ BUKE AND GASE
@ Exit/In | 9pm | $18-20 | 18+
New York’s Battles returns to Exit/In in support of their third slab of brainy, electronics-laden hard rock, La Di Da Di. What makes album number three a departure for Battles is the absence of vocals. (After original vocalist Tyondai Braxton took off, following the release of their stunning debut, Mirrored, the band called in favors from the likes of synth legend Gary Numan and Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino for follow-up Gloss Drop.) Each member of the trio is a wizard, but look out especially for drummer John Stanier, who treats his kit like it insulted his mother. Also don’t miss Brooklyn weirdos Buke and Gase, who play instruments of their own creation to produce vaguely Appalachian-sounding dance punk. [CC]
WALK THE MOON w/ HOLYCHILD
@ Ryman Auditorium | 8pm | $35-45 | All Ages
If you didn’t grab your ticket for Friday night’s Walk The Moon show, you’re in luck. The dance party continues for the second straight night at the Ryman. Their energetic tracks, led by lead singer Nicholas Petricca’s killer vocals, are the perfect soundtrack for your Saturday night. LA’s electro-pop duo Holychild will also return with their spirited sound that’s earned high praise from the blogosphere. [LL]
BOTTOMFEEDERS, THE PSYCHICS, EBONY EYES
@ Fond Object | 7pm | $5 | All Ages
Riverside Village tastemakers Fond Object will host their third backyard party in a row on Saturday nigth with ex Turf War outfit Bottomfeeders, who will be bringing their intense flavor of New Orleans steamed garage rock. Local psych outfit The Psychics, and Ebony Eyes get things started for another solid event in one of Nashville’s best kept secrets. [MH]
JESSE LAFSER & BROOKE ANNIBALE
@ The Basement East | 7pm | $5 | 21+
Bluesy Jesse Lafser is stopping through Nashville in support of her newly released album, Raised on the Plains. Her old-school songwriting is only made better by complements of guitar and harmonica; it’s safe to say she’s multi-talented. Brooke Annibale, who released her new album, The Simple Fear, exclusively through Paper Magazine, will serve as the opening act. This singer-songwriter’s gothic style folk is unmatched. Doors are at 6:30, show is at 7:00 and it’s only $5. [OL]
ALL THAT REMAINS, WE CAME AS ROMANS w/ LIKE MOTHS TO FLAMES, FAILURE ANTHEM
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 7pm | $20 | All Ages
Long-running Massachusetts metalcore pioneers All That Remains are teaming up with comparatively newer scene mavens and similar-minded act We Came as Romans for a co-headlining tour. Both acts have killer new albums to support, and with Like Months to Flames and Failure Anthem pegged to round out the bill, this is definitely the best bet for weekend show-goers looking to get their heavy music fix. [PO]
THE AQUADUCKS, LAZY SUNDAY, JELLY
@ BB Kings | 9pm | FREE | 21+
As we told you earlier this week, The Aquaducks have dropped a trio of new singles and a video to welcome us back into their pond after a summer hiatus. If you are going to be downtown, you can head over to BB Kings for a free set from them, funky blues rockers Lazy Sunday, and surf rockers Jelly. [MH]
SUNDAY
PUJOL, THELMA & THE SLEAZE, GNARWHAL, PENICILLIN BABY, MOM AND DAD, METH DAD, & TONS MORE!
@ Charlie Bob’s East Nashville | 1pm | $8 | All Ages
Holy shit, what a Sunday! This event, dubbed Dickerson Skyline, that is set to run all freaking day over at Charlie Bob’s is absolutely stacked with local talent that we adore. Not only does it feature an astonishing 20 bands, there will also be poetry, stand up, beer, and food. Have you called in sick for work on Monday yet? Better hop to that. [MH]
MUSICIAN’S CORNER FT. THE BAND OF HEATHENS, THE SUFFERS, SARAH POTENZA, & MORE
@ Centennial Park | 12pm | FREE | All Ages
Musician’s Corner is backing out of their usual Saturday afternoon slot to make way for SoundHarvest this weekend, but they are keeping the party rolling in Centennial Park, with a special Sunday edition. This week’s edition includes performances by Texas rock troubadours Band of Heathens, neo-soul outfit The Suffers, and Nashville transplant vocal powerhouse Sarah Potenza to name just a few. As always, the event is free fun for the whole family. [MH]
THE BLACK LILLIES w/ STAR & MICEY
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $12 | All Ages
Knoxville birthed New Grass pickers The Black Lillies will be taking over 3rd and Lindsley for Lightning 100’s Nashville Sunday Night with help from Memphis rockers Star & Micey. Per usual for the Lightning 100 curated performances, the short but sweet sets will be broadcast live across the airwaves, if you are unable to attend, but we hope to see you there, giving your weekend a proper send off. [JR]
BLITZEN TRAPPER w/ THE GRIFTERS, THE DOMESTICS
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $18-20 | 18+
As if this weekend wasn’t already full enough of great concerts, one of our favorite venues Exit/In plans to throw one more our way on Sunday night. Alt-country rockers from Portland, Oregon Blitzen Trapper have been on the nation’s radar ever since their critically acclaimed 2007 release entitled Wild Mountain Nation. Their style presents a satisfying blend of solid song structure with experimental overtones. Be sure to get over to Exit/In in your SoundHarvest induced hangover, and catch them with The Grifters and fellow Portlandians The Domestics. Check out Blitzen Trapper’s new song “All Across This Land,” below. [JC]
EAST NASHVILLE SONGWRITER’S CLUB
@ The Basement East | 6pm | $5 | 21+
The East Nashville Songwriter’s Club is a semi-frequent series dedicated to showcasing the best of Nashville-based songwriters in an environment conducive to intimate listening. This time around they will host Jay Rutherford (of Los Colognes), Allen Thompson and Elise Davis. Don’t miss a rare up close and personal performance with these awesome writers. [JSt]
CHIEF KEEF w/ FREDO SANTANA
@ Limelight | 11pm | $25-55 | 21+
For the first time ever, Chicago melodic hip-hop/trap rapper and Glory Boy Chief Keef is coming to Music City with Fredo Santana, to Limelight to be exact. Their first foray into Nashville, this is prime time to see them perform together. Chief Keef, best known for his break out tracks “I Don’t Like” and “Love Sosa,” is a dreaded menace, who is notorious for being aggressive but still carrying a tune. Expect lots of hype and LOTS of dudes on stage. Long story short: if you want to have finger-guns pointed at you all night, this is the show for you. It might be a scary sight, but you definitely don’t want to miss it. [JL]
[COS] Carson O’Shoney
[CC] Chris Clancy
[CO] Claire Osburn
[JL] Jackson Lord
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JSt] Jen Starsinic
[JC] Julian Ciany
[LL] Lorie Liebig
[MH] Matt Hall
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[OL] Olivia Ladd
[PO] Philip Obenschain