Two sets from Brooklyn’s kirby baby meant double the proof that his razor-edged indie rock songs are built for live performance. Whether solo or with his full band—I saw both—the material from his new album crackled with the same intensity.
Bird’s magnetic presence commanded Third Man Records’ legendary Blue Room as powerfully as her soaring vocals and razor-sharp songs. She’d charm the crowd with a radiant grin one moment, then deliver a devastating heartbreak anthem the next.
After discovering Mayfield via his knockout SXSW performance earlier this year, catching him twice in Nashville was a no-brainer. He unleashed songs from his upcoming debut with the kind of Neil Young and Crazy Horse intensity that leaves your ears ringing and your soul satisfied.
I slipped into an intimate living room setting on Nashville’s renowned Music Row to catch Culpepper taping an acoustic session. Watching him break down new material before bringing it to life was pure magic—music in its most honest form.
De la Cour’s music shifts between dark introspection and breathtaking beauty, all delivered with subtle restraint. Those who know his catalog understand the magnetic pull of these songs—but witnessing them performed live reveals an even deeper intensity. Lucinda Williams, who will be taking de la Cour on tour to Europe later this year, was soaking up it all in with the rest of us.
Merritt brought Robert Ellis along to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her breakthrough album ‘Tambourine,’ proving these songs have only gotten better with age—delivered with the same infectious charm that made them classics in the first place.
Matheny tours plenty but rarely makes it to New York City, so his Tuesday afternoon set in East Nashville had that special “don’t miss this” pull. He more than lived up to expectations, even previewing new material he planned to record at a Nashville studio just days later.
(And good news for NYC – Matheny will be appearing at a Twangville-sponsored show on 10/24!)
J. ISAIAH EVANS & THE BOSS TWEED
Evans and the Boss Tweed don’t just play rock—they unleash it, and Nashville got the full treatment with zero apologies. They tore through songs from their recently released debut album and upcoming EP, leaving no doubt about their live firepower.
(And good news for Dallas – Evans & the Boss Tweed will be celebrating the release of their new EP as part of the Twangville anniversary show on 10/17!)
Kelly, out of Providence, RI, proves that great country music knows no borders, delivering the trifecta every artist dreams of: songs that tell real stories, guitar licks that make you lean in, and a voice that carries the weight of genuine country soul.
MacLaren’s short Sunday night acoustic set was the ideal curtain call for my Nashville week, her voice and guitar weaving a spell that held everyone captivated. The perfect punctuation mark on a week packed with unforgettable music.
Hillary Fretland and her band delivered graceful melodies under a bright Friday midday sun. The outdoor setting was perfect for her captivating songs, mixing new material with beloved favorites—an ideal start to the day.
Gordon’s songs are mythical around Twangville, rich Southern tales filled with eccentric locals and stories that unfold like family lore. What stood out this night, however, was the fury of his guitar—transforming The Five Spot into a Louisiana juke joint where the music hit as hard as the whiskey.
Sometimes you need some solid rock and roll to properly launch a Friday night, and North Texas’s Roberts delivered exactly that—pounding rhythms and roaring electric guitars that got me and the rest of the crowd fired up for the evening ahead.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.