Next Big Thing

When I voiced a few concerns on our music blog, Nashville Cream, about the logistics of the second annual Next Big Nashville festival that ran last Thursday through Sunday at clubs all over town (e.g., Will anyone show up? Do local rock fans still exist? Will Nashvillians willingly board shuttles? Is Movement Nashville cool yet?), you’d think from the responses that I’d proposed a protest rally in festival founder Jason Moon Wilkins’ front yard. For a minute, it even looked like criticizing Nashville’s music scene was like that whole if-you-disagree-with-the-Iraq-war-you-hate-the-troops trickery: dissent is treason, and if you don’t support the scene and any of its endeavors, you don’t support the bands who’ve mercilessly toiled here all these years in our clubs and practice spaces.

Gah, what a load of crap. We supported this festival from day one, and as for the bands, well hell, we’ve never hidden our love for JEFF or How I Became the Bomb. But seriously, since the comments section of Nashville Cream is about the worst litmus test out there for what reasonable people actually think, let’s go ahead and toss aside that tripe and get down to business: Next Big Nashville Part Deux ruled in most every way a festival that only caters to locals can rule. Socially and musically, it was the only place in town to be last weekend.

And you know what? I learned a thing or two about our local rock scene, things that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and then made me queasy because I had to accept having feelings. So here’s my festival recap, or six things that I realized once I spent a few nights drinking about 4 million beers beside you and your sweaty friends.

You exist. Yeah yeah yeah, I said I didn’t think people would turn out in full force to support local bands, and I was wrong. What of it? To be fair, let’s all admit we’ve been to show after underattended show in this town, and sometimes wonder what it’s gonna take to get people excited about the talent right here in our own backyard. Plus you rock fans are notoriously unreliable people. But by God, if you didn’t pull your Wiis out of your asses and make an appearance. According to Wilkins, the festival’s attendance was better than expected, though official headcounts weren’t in at press time. All I know is we saw packed clubs, booze flowing and good times being had, and I marveled each night as I saw new and old faces trickling in and out of clubs. I saw heads nod; I saw mouths sing along. Some of you even bought merch!

The bands really brought their A-game. When it was time to rock, you rocked. When it was time to charm, you charmed. No more shows that feel like we’re were watching you practice at your parents’ house. No, this time, you knew you had a captive audience, and you made it count. And it was a sweet victory to see Turncoats, Wax Fang, The Privates, The Clutters, Save Macauley, Kindergarten Circus and tons more cranking out the awesome when it mattered. Oh, and sorry, haters, but JEFF’s colon-vibrating set of dirty, dirty rock jams shook it up enough to spark an actual, honest-to-god mosh pit at The End Friday night. That’s right. A mosh pit. In Nashville!

Easy access, all access. I still maintain that quarantining the festival to the Rock Block or back at Mercy Lounge and Cannery Ballroom is the way to go, mostly because it was such a mini-SXSW blast to shuffle back and forth between the two clubs on different nights, check out the social scene, stop and chat with friends, and move in and out of the night with the buzz of being part of something larger than yourself. Come on, this is the age of the convenience store, one-stop shopping and the iPhone. Still, at every club I attended, the entry process was a breeze, staffs everywhere were on the ball and it was an overall hassle-free event. As a lazy person who wants rock shows to be low-key-core, it was so easy-breezy that I was able to keep showing up even as my hangover worsened.

Star power. Apparently 500 people showed up at Cannery for AutoVaughn, and elsewhere, indie labels had some of the best showcases of the festival. Infinity Cat’s and Grand Palace’s lineups at The End were top-tier and well-attended, and with a number of Theory 8 bands also playing the festival, it made the scene feel like an actual scene. Local bands, take note: going forward, you should be doing everything in your power to join forces with your fellow guys and gals to mimic these bills.

Make it special. Wilkins told me Saturday night while shouting over The Features at the Cannery that making the festival feel like an event was a key to its success. Anyone can go to a show any night of the week, but the promise of an organized happening, you know, where everbody you know is gonna be there—and wearing their best jeans—gets people off their couches and into the bars.