We’re in the dog days of summer – festivals are fewer and further between, tours wind down to revamp before the late summer/early fall tour season, no national holidays to garner days off and special one off sets. But every once in a while, there’s bound to be an inordinately well stocked week’s worth of shows to hit up in and around town – even with a formidable Forecastle Festival pulling up the rear of the week – with 7/11-7/17 being such a week. It’s a diverse week that will see New Zealand/HBO Alt-comedy legends Flight of the Conchords play out to Ascend, breezy guitar tunes from Steve Gunn at Exit/In, and a return to the Mother Church from Melissa Etheridge. But that’s just a quick skim of the surface, here’s the full swoth of shows worth checking out this week if you find yourself fancying something a little closer to home than Forecastle.
Boyscott at Glass Menage on 7/11
The little venue that could of 2016, Glass Menage has been cutting its teeth with some solid super-indie shows as of late. There’s only one Nashville group on this particular bill – Boyscott – but good gracious are they a delight. Their jaunty Goose Bumps full length is one of my favorite low-key debuts out of Nashville in 2016. They’re footing a bill that features melodical bedroom space invaders All Talk out of Boston and sad songsters Melinda, out of Memphis. Show at 9PM. $7.
The Carmonas, Becca Mancari, and Sammy Brue at Family Wash on 7/11
There’s a lot of country, there’s a lot of folk, but there seems to less and less bluegrass found in and around Nashville, despite the heavy American roots born out of the city and the foothills. The Carmonas are a solid solution to the paltry bluegrass selection. While Becca Mancari and Sammy Brue fall into the other two aforementioned genres (country and folk, respectively), they’re two acts that have made to hajj to Nashville in hopes of carving out their own portion of the city, and both are two acts that I personally “believe in,” and you should too. Show at 7PM. $5 or free with RSVP at Do615.
Big Business, Andy the Doorbum, and Hans Condor at Basement East on 7/12
There are few things I love more than a little filth rock fury, and Hans Condor always brings the scuzz and buzz when I’m feeling a little filthy myself. Their live show is one of my favorites to see from a tri of good ole Nashville buzz rock bums. If you’re looking for a wild and bodacious time, then you got to go out to see Hans Condor at Basement East as they open up for Big Business and Andy the Doorbum. 9PM. $10 adv/$12 DOS.
Weezer and Panic! at the Disco at Ascend Amphitheatre on 7/13
If you grew up in the 90s or 00s, then you know any chance to see Weezer is a chance to relive your youth and formative years, so this one is a bit of a no-brainer. Panic! at the Disco has experienced a bit of a re-brand over the past couple years, but once again, if you came up during the 00s, then you’re not only buying a ticket for a live show, but to relive the angst of your teenage years minus the crippling social awkwardness. Sold Out
Haphazard. Art Show at Meal Ticket on 7/13
Cool initiative featuring folks from all over the Nashville arts community, visual art from Wrenne Evans, Aaron Martin, Blair Tramel, John Paterini, Emily Miller, and many more, along with some top notch tunage from Pretty Sophie, Peach Tea (a personal favorite of yours truly), Kneel Jung, and naturally, Boyscott. Art at 7PM. Music at 9PM.
Steve Gunn & the Outliners at Exit/In on 7/14
Easy, breezy… Steve Gunn? Touring in support of his stellar Matador Records debut, Eyes on the Lines, Steve Gunn makes his way into Nashville by stopping for a night at Exit/In. Its slick guitar riffs and smooth lyrics that allows for meditative ease that has been one of my personal favorite records of the year, and his Bonnaroo set definitely cooled people down during the insufferable mid-June heat, but it’ll be nice to see him in an air conditioned room, too. Spacin’ and ORNAMENT open. Show at 9:00PM. $12 ADV/$15 DOS
Black Pistol Fire w/Chrome Pony at Mercy Lounge on 7/14
If you’re feeling something with a little more crunch to the point you want to punch the person next to you, Black Pistol Fire is a nice avenue to release such an unidealistic urge. BPF has got a nice heavy rosin to their sound which will undoubtedly fill out the already airy Mercy Lounge. Local psych rock dudes Chrome Pony are opening the set, so you’re going to want to get there early. Show at 9PM. $13 ADV/$15 DOS.
Flight of the Conchords at Ascend Ampitheatre on 7/14
So we’ve got breezy guitar rock and crunch psych covered on Thursday night, but suppose you’re feeling something a little more… silly? Then I guess you would probably want to check out Flight of the Conchords out at Ascend. They were one of the first groups that really introduced and sucked me into alt-comedy, and after their HBO show went off the air, they kind of just disappeared, so seeing them on this tour of the uptmost necessity for any serious alt-comedy/Sub Pop devotees. Show at 8PM. GA tickets will run you $30, anything else will be more, obviously.
Del the Funky Homosapien at Exit/In on 7/15
I’ve talked about it in the past, but hip-hop played a huge role in my formative years, and Del the Funky Homosapien was one of the first guys I did a real “deep dive” on. I’ll be in Louisville covering Forecastle, but if you’re looking for some top of the line, forefathers of lyrical hip-hop, then head out to Exit/In to catch Del the Funky Homosapien in the flesh. Also, get there early to catch Minneapolis hip-hop upstart Finding Novyon open – the dude is going to hit it big in 2017. Show at 9PM. $12 ADV/$15 DOS.
Kelsey Waldon at Cannery Ballroom on 7/15
This is the one that hurts when it comes to shows missed while covering Forecastle – I’m always going to have a sweet spot for any Nashville ascendant of the moment, and Kelsey Waldon assumes that moment in anticipation of the release of her newest LP, I’ve Got a Way, one of L/S’s most anticipated releases of the year. She’s not headlining this time around (though she will be soon enough), but you have got to catch her at Cannery when she opens for Turnpike Troubadours and Heathen Sons. Show at 8:15PM. $18 ADV/$20 DOS.
Gary Clark Jr. at Ascend on 7/16
Gary Clark Jr. is another one of those “needs no introduction” type of guys at this point in his robust (relatively) young career. Another point worth noting is that another young stalwart, Raury, is going to be opening, making for an eclectic meld of blues and psych pop R&B. GA runs you $30, closer seats running your more. Show at 8PM.
Zella Day at 3rd & Lindsley on 7/17
As the most recent subject of the Lightning 100 Sunday Night series, the 20 year old from Pinetop, AZ brings her dusky and sultry electro-indie pop to the 3rd & Lindsley stage. She puts on a solid live show, having seen her at Live on the Green 2015, so you know its going to be a good time in a more intimate setting like 3rd & Lindsley. And then there’s the fact that its just fun to be a part of a live radio show. Show at 8PM. $15.
Melissa Etheridge at Ryman Auditorium on 7/17
Melissa Etheridge definitely doesn’t need any sort of introduction, as trying to describe such an illustrious career of music and statement making as someone other than Etheridge herself would be an unsavory disservice. Durham, NC folk rockers Delta Rae are kicking off the show. Show at 7:30PM. $37.50, $47.50, $67.50
– Sean M.
Lockeland Springsteen 