To say this has been a difficult week is an understatement to most. Regardless of which side of the political spectrum you sit, there is no denying that our country is shattered, and we all need to work to find some common ground and love for our fellow human beings. Our suggestion to start the healing? Get off of your social media feeds, and have some good old fashioned fun at a show to make you feel normal again. Need help making some decisions? Head below to check out our staff picks in this week’s edition of TWiN.
FRIDAY
PAGEANT
@ Soulshine Pizza Factory | 7 pm | FREE | All Ages
Over the past couple of years, we’ve been watching the rise of brother-sister duo Pageant. We’ve watched them wow crowds with their heartfelt songs and harmonies that soar over a pop inspired backbone, and we got totally mesmerized by their take on the Beatles “I’m Only Sleeping” earlier this year in support of the 50th anniversary of Revolver. This week, they are celebrating the release of a new music video for their single “But You’re Happy,” which you’ve probably been hearing on Lighting 100 all week. If you haven’t had the chance to see them live yet, head on down for happy hour at Soulshine Pizza to catch their incredibly engaging live set for yourself. [MH]
MODULAR ART PODS ft. GARDENING, NOT ARCHITECTURE, REBEKAH ALEXANDER, & MORE
@ Queen Ave | 7 pm | FREE (Donations Accepted) | All Ages
Modular Art Pods is a performance art piece / playspace hosted by Queen Ave this weekend. The premise is using modular spaces, like 4’x4′ boxes, to bring together disparate artists into a single show space for an interactive experience. Being Nashville, of course, this concept is heightened by musical performances, like our talented friends in Gardening, Not Architecture. If you need a positive, unifying event to counter your tough week, this is a great bet. More information at the event’s Facebook page. [MH]
DAUGHTER W/ VANCOUVER SLEEP CLINIC
@ Cannery Ballroom | 8 pm | $25 | 18+
As we’ve been raving for months, English indie/folk group Daughter are set to return to Nashville for the first time in several years, in support of their great new LP, Not to Disappear. With the addition of buzzy Australian band Vancouver Sleep Clinic, this is one of the weekend’s best bets; find out more in our full preview here. [PO]
TOMMY WRIGHT III w/ GREENWADE
@ Third Man Records | 8 pm | $10 | 18+
Legendary underground Memphis rapper Tommy Wright III, who is best known for his fast paced flow and brutal lyrics, will be passing through Music City this weekend, and making a stop at Third Man Records to play Jack White’s legendary Blue Room. Look for local MC Greenwade to kick things off, and, per Blue Room tradition, the show will be recorded to pressed onto vinyl at a later date. Save your ticket stub for your chance at first dibs on the limited release. All this awesome, for just a ten spot? If you’re a hip hop fan, you know where to be Friday night. [JR]
BUTTHOLE w/ BOYSCOTT, BLAKETHEMAN1000
@ The Glass Mènage | 8 pm | $5 | 21+
Get ready to rock out with local garage punks Butthole at their very special self titled record release show. We’ve been lucky enough to catch an earlier incarnation of the group (read this post), but we look forward to seeing where they are at now stylistically, and sound-wise. Local (via NJ) surf rockers Boyscott, plus punk outfit Blaketheman 1000 will be opening, annnddd the $5 cover gets you access to a keg, which usually means it’s going to be a rager! [JR]
ALANNA ROYALE w/ VITA AND THE WOOLF
@ The Exit/In | 9pm | $10-$12 | 18+
Longtime friends of the site, soulful, funk rock outfit Alanna Royle are, without a doubt, one of Nashville’s best live bands. That’s reason enough to catch them with Vita and the Woolf this weekend, but if you’re in search of a positive space after a dark and troubling week, you can rest assured that this show will be inclusive, diverse, and an outlet for a band who’ve never been shy about voicing their opinions. [PO]
JD MCPHERSON w/ NIKKI LANE, LANGHORNE SLIM
@ Marathon Music Works | 8:30pm | $20-$125 | 18+
Chicago based (via Oklahoma) retro rocker, singer-songwriter JD McPherson is headlining a nice bill a Marathon that you should definitely be thinking about attending. No stranger to No Country coverage, JD and his band are proud to be performing as part of the special Music City Salutes showcase in honor of veterans day, which will also feature blog favorites Nikki Lane (read this post) and Langhorne Slim (read this post). Part of the proceeds will go to benefit American veterans, so while you rock out remember it’s for a good cause. Two birds, one stone … what’s not to love? [JR]
REVEREND PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND w/ SUPERSUCKERS, JESSE DAYTON
@ The High Watt | 8:30pm | $15 | 21+
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band is bit of a misnomer, since the roots inspired country-blues band hailing from Brown County, IN, only has three members. Consisting of only a drummer, lead guitarist, and the meanest washboard player you’ve ever heard, this not your typical Friday night rock show. Blending classic rural Indiana inspired methodology with contemporary songwriting has created something awesomely unique that you need in your life ASAP. With help from Supersuckers and Jesse Dayton, this promises to be one of the most interesting and original shows of the weekend, don’t miss it. [JR]
SATURDAY
MELD, HOLLIE HAMMEL, EVAN THOMPSON
@ Tennessee Brew Works | 4 pm | FREE | All Ages
We shared the debut single, “Easy On the Game,” under the new moniker MELD, from local songwriter Melanie Dewey with you this week. MELD celebrates the release with a full band performance at Tennessee Brew Works on Saturday on a bill that also features Evan Thompson and Hollie Hammel. Head below to get a taste of the new single. [MH]
MODULAR ART PODS
@ Queen Ave | 7 pm | FREE (Donations Accepted) | All Ages
Modular Art Pods continues on Saturday, and will work in conjunction with the East Side Art Stumble. The performance art piece / playspace hosted by Queen Ave uses modular spaces, like 4’x4′ boxes, to bring together disparate artists into a single show space for an interactive experience. There will be a musical component to this event as well, and you can get more information here. Just imagine the meditative sounds of droneroom while you explore your inner creativity. [MH]
GROUPLOVE w/ MUNA, DILLY DALLY
@ The Cannery Ballroom | 8pm | SOLD OUT | 21+
Feel-good indie rockers Grouplove are bringing their Big Mess Tour to Cannery Ballroom this weekend with dark pop group Muna and Canadian alt rock band Dilly Dally. Tickets are unfortunately sold out, but we’re betting that this will be the ultimate dance party to cap off a long and stressful week. [MG]
WARPAINT w/ GOLDENSUNS, VS Colour
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8pm | $20 | All Ages
LA-based quartet Warpaint has been buzzing lately since the release of their sophomore album Heads Up, and we’re glad they made Music City a stop on their tour. These ladies have atmospheric art rock down to a science, and with catchy tunes like “Whiteout” and “New Song” added to their repertoire, this is sure to be a hell of a show. [MG]
DON GALLARDO AND THE HOW FAR WEST
@ Acme Feed & Seed | 8:15 pm | FREE | 21 +
Friend of the blog and No Country Presents alum Don Gallardo, and his stellar band The How Far West, will bring you their brand of Americana country-western influenced songs for the low, low price of $free.00. The band are celebrating the recent release of the stellar new record, Hickory, and they also play one hell of a cover set. So, if you are downtown, but want to feel back home, Acme is where you want to be. [JR]
THE FRAY w/ AMERICAN AUTHORS
@ War Memorial Auditorium | 8pm | $50 | All Ages
Poppy alt-rock chart toppers from the early oughts The Fray are still going strong, and back on tour, ready to bring their massive radio hits with them. Thanks in no small part to their 2005 double-platinum debut record How to Save a Life, the band has amassed an extremely devoted and loyal following, and if you consider yourself one of the aforementioned, you better snag a ticket now. Look for like minded performers American Authors to kick of a great night of tunes at WMA. [JR]
BOB MOULD w/ WESTERN MEDICATION
@ Mercy Lounge | 9pm | $20 | 18+
Mere months after an intimate performance at City Winery, influential, long-running alt rocker and former Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman Bob Mould returns to town for a more conventional club show. Like a fine wine, Mould seems only to get better with age, and though he’s been making music for over 30 years, his most recent records have landed as some of the best and most relevant of his career. Locals Western Medication get things started, and this one’s likely to sell out. [PO]
DIIV w/ MOON KING
@ The High Watt | 9pm | $16 | 18+
The brainchild of Zachary Cole Smith, DIIV has had a pretty impressive run through the 2010s, and really made waves with their debut LP, Oshin, back in 2012. The debut featured ZCS’s brand of indie rock, run through a dream pop filter, befitting of his time performing with Beach Fossils, and that sound immediately caught national attention with much critical acclaim and alt-radio play with catch tracks like “Doused” and “How Long Have You Known.” Smith, who has highly publicized struggles with heroin, returned with his sophomore album, Is the Is Are, in early 2016, and, while it hasn’t exactly garnered the same novel respect as his debut, tracks like “Dopamine” and “Under the Sun” have certainly found their way into radio rotations across the country. If you chase down buzzy, Pitchfork certified, festival proven, indie rock bands, their show with Moon King on Saturday night at The High Watt is a must see. [MH]
SUNDAY
WET w/ DEMO TAPED
@ Exit/In | 8pm | $15-$18 | 18+
Fast rising Brooklyn indie pop trio Wet erupted on the scene to massive praise with their 2013 self-titled debut EP, and have spent the past few years living up the hype. After bagging a major label deal, their first full-length, Don’t You, dropped earlier this year, and with its smart, electronic, dreamy landscapes and the hypnotic voice of Kelly Zutrau, it stands as one of the year’s best under the radar releases. Along with buzzy young singer, songwriter, and producer Demo Taped, this is, without a doubt, one of the coolest shows of the weekend. [PO]
SAM LEWIS w/ JOSH FARROW
@ 3rd & Lindsley | 8 pm | $10 | All Ages
Local Americana-soul singer-songwriter Sam Lewis may not have been able to bottle the lightning in the same way as Chris Stapleton (yet), but one can easily draw comparisons between the two. His grasp of Nashville twang mixed with his soulful vocals is really something special, and his 2015 record Waiting On You is the perfect fit for a lazy Sunday morning. We recommend you spin it this Sunday morning, and then make plans to catch him to end your day in style. Local songwriter Josh Farrow is a perfect match for this show, as he is celebrating the release of his excellent debut LP, Trouble Walks With Me, that dropped this fall. If you are looking for a mellow end to your weekend, this is the show. [MH]
[JR] Jacob Ryan
[MG] Meredith Galyon
[MH] Matt Hall
[PO] Philip Obenschain