Greetings fellow Music Lovers,
I come to you after some great shows last week. First let me apologize for not updating yall on the shows that were coming this past weekend because they were amazing. But what I can do is fill you in on all that I was able to take part in this past week.
Last Week Review- Live on the Green, Nick Waterhouse
My musical weekend started Thursday night at Live on the Green. This week was the most anticipated line-up I had ever heard of for Live on the Green. To start the night off me and some friends arrived early around 5:30. We had heard they were preparing for a crowd of 20,000 attendees. After hearing this we knew we had to get there early to get a good spot. After about an hour the first band hit the stage. Fly Golden Eagle; a local electronic grunge rock band started their set with a song featuring some fiery saxophone and keys. Fly Golden Eagle is a band that has recently been gaining exposure and hitting the festival circuit with appearances at Bonnaroo and other festivals. These guys from the east side of Nashville (including a Lipscomb graduate, Richard Harper), started the night better than most any local band could. Next band on stage was the local former Belmont students, The Apache Relay. With this being their second Live on the Green they were seasoned and ready to go. You could tell the maturity they had gained due to their recent touring with bands such as Dawes and Mumford and Sons while they entertained what now seemed like 10,000 people in the crowd.
Once their set ended everyone knew what was next. The Alabama Shakes were setting up. This time last year I don’t think anyone in the crowd even knew who these guys were, but you better believe they did last Thursday. Finally after what seemed like forever, they hit the stage with their hit song “Hold On”. It seemed like everyone there was dancing and singing along. After about 5 songs I looked at my phone and Lightning 100(local radio station) had tweeted a picture form the stage showing the enormity of the crowd. It seemed like the whole city was enjoying this night together. What an amazing night. This was a concert I never wanted to end. And as critical as my view on shows are, I must say, this was one of the best I’ve ever seen.
Local Band Apache Relay sets the bar high right before headliner The Alabama Shakes hit the stage
The next two days I spent almost recovering from how amazing Thursday night was. But come Sunday I was ready to go see an act I had heard a lot about but had never seen live. Nick Waterhouse from LA was rolling into the High Watt on Cannery Row and I was not going to miss it. Waterhouse resembles a Buddy Holly appearance with a big band sound. This show had an opener named the Allah Las. All I can say about them was… well…. Nothing really, they were below par.
After the opener, there was what seemed to be a break that was longer than necessary. Finally Nick Waterhouse came out with his slick looking band. They wasted no time and started rocking in their own individual way. From the first to last song it was a dance party, and I loved it. A few notes were hit by Nick and his female background singer that left the crowd with nothing to do but cheer. Overall great show but part of me felt as though Nick was to up tight with his music and band. I love when I can see the whole band loose and having a great time.
Comin up this week:
Ok ok enough reminiscing for now. Let us move ahead to what’s to come this week in our great city. Alright here’s my list of “must see shows” for the week with time and location.
10/4- Live on the Green(6:30 Public Square)
10/5- First Aid Kit (8:00 3rd and Lindsley), Belle X1 (9:00 Basement), Hustle Dance Party(10:00 Cannery Ballroom), The Weeks (9:00 High Watt)
10/6- Musicians Corner (1:00pm Centennial Park), JD McPherson (9:00 Mercy Lounge)
10/7- The Shins (7:00 Ryman Auditorium)
Now first let me say that these are not the only shows going on in this great Music mecca called Nashville. But if I had the time or money to go to all the shows I wanted, these are my selections.
10/4-
Live on the Green- Ok this Thursday we have the 5th lineup for Live on the Green. This week the headliner is folk band Trampled by Turtles, opened by Honey Honey and The Kingston Springs. Trampled by Turtles although I have never seen them live I do thoroughly enjoy their most recent album. So head out to the Public Square and give these guys a listen. Why not? It’s FREE!
10/5-
First Aid Kit- Well this is an band that I have firsthand knowledge of. I was able to see First Aid Kit at Lollapalooza in Chicago this past August. In my opinion the setup at 3rd and Lindsley will cater much more to their sound than the big festival stage I saw them on in august. With a list of songs consisting of mostly ballads, these Swedish sisters are great writers and tell stories very well through their songs. It will be interesting seeing them in Nashville considering they have apparently been spending time here with Jack White who has taken interest in their music.
Belle X1- Ok I’ll be upfront with you guys, all I know of this band is they are an indie rock band form Ireland. I heard them on Pandora a year or so ago and they have stuck with me. So knowing that here is my opinion. This show would be hit or miss. But hey it’s an act that rarely makes a visit to music city so it’s worth a shot.
Hustle Dance Party- Do you like to Dance? If your answer even resembles yes, then you should think about heading out to the Cannery Ballroom Friday. This event is being put advertised as the years biggest dance party. Well considering the DJ lineup consist of Coach, DJ Rate, Reno Bo, and Jacob Jones; the DJs from Nashville’s most successful parties, I think they could be correct. So get ready to rave and let loose on the dance floor this Friday night! http://mercylounge.com/calendar/venue/cannery/2012/10/05/hustle-the-biggest-dance-party-of-the-year/
The Weeks- Ok these Mississippi rockers seem to be playing shows all over the city. Recently signed with the Kings of Leon label “Snakes and Serpents”, these guys are getting plays everywhere including our local radio station Lightning 100. The High Watt is where these guys will grace the stage this Friday. So head on down and see this band before they hit it big and you can no longer afford to see them.
10/6-
Musicians Corner- Ok I know we have been over how cool this thing is. So if you have yet to go out and see a Musi
cians Corner, go out this Saturday and catch it before the season ends. For this Saturday I have a question: Who has ever heard of Phil Keaggy? Well I have, and Jimi Hendrix knew him too. When Hendrix appeared on The Tonight Show he was asked, “how does it feel to be the greatest guitar player in the world?”, his response was “I don’t know youd have to ask Phil Keaggy”. Ok now that should be enough bio on this Mr. Keaggy fellow. Phil will be headlining along with his guitar at musicians corner this Saturday. So once again get a blanket and head to the park for some FREE world class music.
JD McPherson- Once an art teacher in Chicago this newly swing/big band frontman changed to the music industry. I was not lucky enough to head out to 3rd and Lindsley in July when he was last in town but lucky for me it was a live broadcast on the radio so I heard it all. This guy will have you jumoing and jiving the whole night. Click this link to his single “Northside Gal” to get an idea of just how much swing he offers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZGn4LncY0g
10/7-
The Shins- Welp, hate to say this but this one is sold out folks. So unless you can find a scalper or a craigslister willing to give up their ticket, you’re out of luck. But I will say that having seen these guys this past summer, they truly do put on a nice show. And to see them at the historic Ryman Auditorium would be a sight to see.
Here it is once again folks. This weeks rundown. And to end this post I have a little poll for you. Simply decide which of these Live performances looks most interesting to you and click vote.
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