TWiN | This Weekend in Nashville | Feb. 26 – 28

As we prepare for the onslaught of touring bands in the coming weeks through Nashville venues, the final weekend of February presents a reasonable showing of local and national acts to fix your musical fancy.  Head below to check out our full rundown of the top shows that should be on your calendar for this weekend with all of our staff picks in this week’s edition of TWiN!

FRIDAY

DEAD CURES
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7pm | FREE | All Ages

More radio love for another blog fave.  Dead Cures formed out of a passion found in the fun of playing as a trio, and we saw their “Fun is the mantra” mentality in their awesome live performance at our Acme Feed & Seed showcase earlier this year.  We even premiered the track, “Say Everything Now,” that you’ve been hearing all week during their stint as Lightning 100’s artist of the week.  Get familiar again below with their new DIY video, and head out to see one of Nashville’s rising talents at Soulshine on Friday. [MH]

SHE’S A REBEL 2 FT. ALANNA ROYALE, JESSIE BREANNE, BETH CAMERON, ARIEL BUI, MADELEINE BESSON, AND MORE
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | SOLD OUT | 18+

The first “She’s a Rebel” girl group tribute concert featuring a litany of the best female musicians in Nashville was hands down one of my favorite shows of last year, so if you missed out on all that feminist fun then you need to get your butt to the second installment. I literally cheered when I saw that these kickass ladies were bringing back their tribute concert paying homage to the girl groups of the ’50s and ’60s, musical projects that gave a rare opportunity to provide a voice to female artists and women of color in particular. The house band will feature Jessi Zazu on guitar (Those Darlins), Tiffany Minton on drums (Adia Victoria), Ellen Angelico on guitar (Daphne Willis, Sonia Leigh), Leigh Maples on bass (owner of Fanny’s House of Music), plus many more. Guest vocalists will perform a song or two a piece and include Alanna Royale, Becca Mancari, Olivia Scibelli (Idle Bloom), Lauren Gilbert (Thelma & the Sleaze), all the ladies listed above, plus many more. [JSa]

STEP SISTERS (EP RELEASE SHOW) w/ HEINOUS ORCA, REALITY SOMETHING
@ The Basement | 9pm | $7-$10 | 18+

We were excited to premiere the new single “Vox Pop” from rising local rockers Step Sisters a few weeks ago, and now the time is upon us for the release of their new EP, THICK.  Get familiar with the new single below, and head out on Saturday night to catch their release show with Heinous Orca and rising Nashville outfit Reality Something. [MH]

GARY CLARK JR. w/ MUDDY MAGNOLIAS
@ Ryman Auditorium | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages

Austin based blues/R&B/soul/rock phenomenon Gary Clark Jr. dropped a new record, The Story Of Sonny Boy Slim, last fall, and his current tour in support has brought him to Music City. Unfortunately tickets to his show at The Mother Church have SOLD OUT, so unless you’ve already got seats on lock, you might have to catch him somewhere else, or on the fest circuit this summer. [JR]

TREE TOPS w/ THE AQUADUCKS, GIRLS AND MONEY
@ The End | 8pm | $7 | 18+

Knoxville based progressive indie rockers Tree Tops are back in Nashville, and based on our last impression of the groovy, inspired tunes from their late 2015 release, Eclipse, that they laid out during their last visit, these guys are someone you should get to know now.  They are joined by two longtime blog faves that display funk from deft to eclectic in The Aquaducks and Girls and Money.  It’s really a perfect pairing at a perfect price. [MH]

THELMA & THE SLEAZE w/ THE GAD GODS
@ Little Harpeth Brewery | 6pm | $5 | 21+

Team Sleaze is keeping the crazy momentum going they’ve cultivated throughout February, playing a show every damn day! If you’ve never seen Thelma & The Sleaze, do yourself a favor and get to one of their shows this weekend. This one, at Little Harpeth Brewery, also features fellow locals and buzz worthy garage rockers The Gad Gods. At just five bucks it’s a steal, plus you’ll be hanging out at a brewery, so the beer will never be fresher. [JR]

DAVID CROSS
@ TPAC (James K. Polk Theater) | 8pm | SOLD OUT | All Ages

We hope you grabbed tickets to see comedian David Cross, on his first standup tour in more than six years, when we first announced this show, because it’s officially sold out (and a 2nd, late show was added then subsequently canceled). You may know him from Arrested Development, Todd Margaret, or Mr. Show, but if you haven’t seen David’s life act, it’s every bit as smart as subversive as you might imagine. [PO]

SATURDAY

JOSH RITTER & THE ROYAL CITY BAND
@ Cannery Ballroom | 8pm | SOLD OUT | 18+

If you missed singer-songwriter Josh Ritter play Cannery Ballroom during last year’s AmericanaFest, you’re in luck. He’s back in town this weekend to perform tracks from his stellar new record, Sermon on the Rocks. The record features a new sound for Ritter, ditching sparse accompaniment and sad storytelling for a more energized and mature look at life and all of its messes. His set will likely provide a healthy mix of both new and old favorites, so, if you managed to snag tickets before they sold out, make sure you get down to Cannery Ballroom early to stake out a spot and prepare to be in awe.  [LL]

BRONZE RADIO RETURN w/ HOWARD
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm | $12-15 | 18+

Indie rock sextet Bronze Radio Return may be based way up north in Connecticut, but their ability to weave southern rock and pop sensibilities into their music makes them fit in well with the style that Nashville loves. They’re out on the road in support of their most recent album Light Me Up, with support from buzzworthy Brooklyn-based trio Howard. [MG]

JUSTIN AND THE COSMICS, AMERICAN WATERMELON, THAYER SARRANO
@ The 5 Spot | 9pm | $5 | 21+

Helmed by Justin Collins, an accomplished Nashville-based producer (see Diamond Rugs, Deer Tick, Middle Brother), Justin and the Cosmics are another outlet for the incredibly talented Collins. With help from local indie rockers American Watermelon and Southern psych dream rocker Thayer Sarrano, this on is going to be epic. All for just $5?! If you’re on a budget, and hanging on the East Side Saturday night, this is the show for you. [JR]

PALLBEARER w/ BELL WITCH, WREKMEISTERS HARMONIES
@ The End | 8pm | $13-15 | 18+

Post rock, doom metal outfit Pallbearer will unleash hell on the eardrums of The End, and you should seriously consider this as a chance to see one of the rising loud rock acts in the country.  Bell Witch and Wrekmeister Harmonies open for what should be an excellent night for those that want to feel the pound that rock can put on you. [MH]

BIG SAM’S FUNKY NATION w/ SMOOTH DIALECTS
@ 12th & Porter | 8pm | $12-15 | 18+

If you need to get the ass in motion, head over to 12th & Porter on Saturday night for New Orleans party with brass-tastic funksters Big Sam’s Funky Nation.  With tracks like “Big Ole Booty” and “Shake That Funky Donkey,” this show will take your Saturday to the next level. [MH]

THE SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIALS, THEE JAPANESE SCHOOL GIRLS, DINGZUI, BLINDS
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $5 | 18+

If you haven’t gotten hip yet to The Saturday Night Specials, let us introduce you to your favorite new garage rockers.  Laying down super catchy vocals over reverb fuzzed guitars, what they lack for in a name, they totally make up for in presentation.  Like minded rockers, Thee Japanese School Girls, Dingzui, and Blinds join a low dough bill that should catch your attention whether you are needing to rock or looking for some distraction during the show down in Cannery. [MH]

THE BOOM BAP ft. DJ NU-MARK
@ The Basement East | 9pm | $10 | 21+

The Boom Bap has made a name in Nashville for the best dance parties around.  This round they up the ante with DJ Nu-Mark, who you may know from Jurassic 5.  If you are in the mood to move, the Basement East is where you need to be for the proper “Quality Control” for the dance party. [MH]

ESTEF, QUINN LEWIS, WONDR w/ BROM QUINN, DIMITRI, DON SOLDI
@ Hound Dog Commons | 8pm | $5/$7 | 18+

You may remember a while back when we shared the Chet Faker cover that Quinn Lewis dropped.  We’ve kept our eye on him since, and are intrigued by this bill on Saturday at the Cleveland Park event space Hound Dog Commons.  Outside of an opportunity to catch some local hip hop and electronica at a cool new hang where you can BYOB, you’ll probably also hear the cool new Austin Powers inspired hip-hop track by local duo WONDR. [MH]

THELMA AND THE SLEAZE
@ Millennium Hall (Winter’s Ball After Party) | 11pm | Free

The Thelma and The Sleaze intra-city tour is coming towards an end folks.  They are taking full advantage of their final weekend with multiple shows in a day, including this Saturday. Following the Winter’s Ball, the group will play the free, non-exclusive inclusive after party in the basement of Millennium Hall (1307 Dickerson Pike). [MH]

SET IT OFF w/ RADNOR, MONDAY’S MONA LISA, KENNEDY NOEL
@ Rocketown (White Building) | 6pm | $12 | All Ages

Fusing pop punk, alt rock, and orchestral rock, rising act Set It Off have proven unafraid to push boundaries, are quickly cementing their status as pop punk’s next rising stars. They’ve been touring nonstop for the last few years, and seem to make it to Nashville often. This time around, they’re headlining, along with a like-minded bill of Radnor, Monday’s Mona Lisa, and Kennedy Noel. If you’re looking for a solid all ages event this weekend, look no further. [PO]

SUNDAY

CIVIL TWILIGHT w/ KOA
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $10 | All Ages

Lightning 100 sponsored Nashville Sunday Night at 3rd & Lindsley is still going strong. This week local, via Cape Town, South Africa, Civil Twilight plays, and they’re just the type of eclectic alternative rock ensemble we need in Music City. Their recent release, Story of an Immigrant, is worth heavy play in your rotation, and if they’re even half as good live, all in attendance are in for a treat. Look for another local band, blog endorsed KOA to kick things off. At just a ten spot, you should be there in person, but you can also listen to this one on the radio! [JR]

THELMA & THE SLEAZE
@ Third Man Records | 2pm | Free | 18+

You know we can’t stop talking about Thelma and the Sleaze. The second-to-last stop of their month-long intra-city “tour” sees them stopping by Third Man for an in-store performance. If you haven’t caught them yet this month, do it before they take off for SXSW, and remember that they are giving away a running touring van at their final gig on Monday. [JSa]

MC CHRIS w/ NATHAN ANDERSON
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $15-17 | 18+

It’s been a number of years since trailblazing nerdcore rapper MC Chris last played Nashville proper (not counting a Warped Tour stop in 2014), but he’s finally set to make a return this weekend. Known not just for his pop culturally rich songs and unique sound, but also for his voice acting, writing, and production work, most prominently for Adult Swim, Chris has been an underground favorite since the release of his debut album 15 years ago. It’s been a minute since his last full-length, but the high-pitched MC did recently unveil a new Star Wars themed single (the subject matter that first made him famous), called “The Fan Awakens.” Nathan Anderson opens. [PO]

[JR] Jacob Ryan
[JSa] Jacqui Sahagian
[LL] Lorie Liebig
[MH] Matt Hall
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[PO] Philip Obenschain