Another week out, another week into the gauntlet of fall tour season. After a week full of a myriad different acts rolling through town, this week feels a distinctly homegrown (or at the very least, home adjacent) vibe when it comes to the types of shows making respective stops in and around Nashville. There are plenty of notable tours coming through, but first and foremost, we must pay our respects to the king of Nashville for the past year and a half now, Chris(t) Stapleton, as he’s sold out yet another local venue for the one zillionth time this past calendar year, with the latest sell out coming at the 6,000 cap Ascend Amphitheatre alongside Brent Cobb. So, if you’re not planning on being one of the likely dozens (maybe hundreds?) of people clamoring to find a spot along the Korean Veteran Bridge, then feel free to peruse the other great shows happening before and after Lord Stapleton’s return to Music City this week, alongside a couple of other sold out shows from JOSEPH and The Head and the Heart. Here are just a few of the fantastic shows happening this week in Nashville:
Rick Astley at Marathon Music Works, Tuesday 10/11
Yep, the Rick Roll’d guy is on tour in the US of A for the first time since 1989. Needless to say, most people in attendance will likely be waiting the entire set to hear one song and one song only (which one would that be?), but Astley just released his first new record in 10 years, 50, which ended up becoming his first number one album since his 1987 debut, Whenever You Need Somebody, so there’s plenty of music worth listening to in the interim, hopefully turning you into a full fledged fan, instead of an internet humorist.
Andrew Leahey and the Homestead at The High Watt, Wednesday 10/12
Lockeland is always down with Andrew Leahey and the Homestead, and they’ll be spending a little time back home at The High Watt this Wednesday. Gearing up for a 15-stop tour along and around the East Coast, Leahey is hitting the road with Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers in support of Leahey’s most recent record, Skyline in Central Time.
Glen Campbell Tribute at Basement East, Wednesday 10/12
One of the many beautiful things about Nashville is the fact that any and all musicians seem more than willing to offer their unique talents and spirits up to any and all causes. There may be some sort of tax break that they’re taking advantage of, but nevertheless, a good cause is as good a reason as any to get together and play some songs in honor of a legend. The cause in question for the Glen Campbell Tribute at Basement East is none other than the Alzheimer’s Association of America, as all proceeds from the show featuring Cordovas, Grimey & Friends, Kate Kelly, Luke Preston, Charlie Whitten, and many more will benefit the association working tirelessly to end Alzheimer’s.
ELEL at Basement East, Friday 10/14
ELEL has had a pretty solid year to date, as they’ve been featured in comedian Mike Birbiglia’s Don’t Think Twice and had many an online feature, but now, they’re hitting up Basement East for the release of their newest LP, Geode. They’ve been pushing the record for a while now, so you know they’re probably chomping at the bit to get in front of people and play the record in full.
Foy Vance with Trevor Sensor at Mercy Lounge, Friday 10/14
There’s a lot of singer-songwriter/folk music rolling through Nashville this week, which is always a good thing, as that’s one of the cornerstones of the city. Foy Vance is touring in support of his newest record, The Wild Swan, which came out this past May. After touring as support for the likes of Elton John and Josh Groban over the summer, its Vance’s turn to headline, but his opener, Trevor Sensor, is not one to miss. He’s a 22-year old bard well worth his weight in whatever ticket prices may be.
Local Natives at Ryman Auditorium, Friday 10/14
When its all said and done, Friday of this week is going to go down as one of the busiest (if not the busiest/most popular), as the power of Chris Stapleton can be felt throughout the city’s other competing shows, many of which feature artists that would have sold out their spaces if it weren’t for the country crooner. That being said, you’ve lucked out if you haven’t got a ticket to Stapleton, because you have an opportunity to see one two fantastic shows – this one being Local Natives at the Ryman. There’s rarely ever been a moment in which a Local Natives or Ryman show has let anybody down, so that alone should get you into a seat this weekend to see Local Natives perform tracks off their newest record, Sunlit Youth.
Henry Rollins at Marathon Music Works, Friday 10/14
The other of the two surprisingly not sold out shows happening on Friday by virtue of Chris Stapleton is arguably the more thoughtful of the two. Henry Rollins is the famed Black Flag front-man, spoken word artist, radio host, and television presenter. He’s a legend of any and all music and that should be more than enough to get you out to Marathon to see his set and discussion.
Hiss Golden Messenger at Exit/In, Saturday 10/15
There are a lot of bands that come through town whose respective auras are oddly Nashville adjacent, but few come so close to the spirit of Nashville that they’re practically parallel like Hiss Golden Messenger. M.C. Taylor and co just released one of the best records of 2016, Heart Like a Levee, and will be touring in support of the record all throughout the fall, but being a kindred spirit to Nashville, that should be reason all alone to see Taylor and the rest of Hiss Golden Messenger.
Springtime Carnivore at The High Watt, Sunday 10/16
Speaking of stellar 2016 releases, Springtime Carnivore just released their newest record this past Friday, and it is fantastic. Midnight Room is an effervescent dreamscape of heartbreak and self-actualization that you can’t help but groove to. It’s a little dream-wave country, and a little bit glam pop, but all in all its going to be a great live set.
Lockeland Springsteen 