Fall Guide: Music Festivals: In its fourth year, Next Big Nashville raises the bar and goes for it
by Steve Haruch @steveharuch
NEXT BIG NASHVILLEbr> OCT. 7-11, VARIOUS VENUES
Depending on who you talk to, the 2009 edition of Next Big Nashville—our hometown music festival, now in its fourth year—is either smaller than last year or bigger than ever. And in a sense, both are true. On the one hand, yes, there are fewer bands overall this year—150 or so vs. last year's 200-plus, which means that some local bands who've played in years past will have to sit this one out. But the festival has also widened its reach beyond the who's-who-in-town vibe that has defined its existence up to this point.
The Black Angels, who call Austin (site of NBN muse SXSW) home, play NBN this year, while Lucero spearheads the Ramblin' Roadshow and Memphis Revue (a showcase of River City talent) and Brooklyn band Phosphorescent brings their Willie-lovin' ways to town. Perhaps the biggest addition comes in the form of the Next Warped Nashville stage ("Warped" as in Warped Tour) at RCKTWN, which brings the ramen-fueled pop-punk of VersaEmerge and a new-to-NBN teen contingent into the mix.
If this year's broader range of bands and more expansive geographic pull doesn't quite put Next Big Nashville over the hump in its quest to become Mid-South by Southeast, it's certainly a step in the right direction. Next Big Nashville runs Oct. 7-11 at various venues throughout the city, including The 5 Spot, 12th & Porter, The Basement, Exit/In, Mercy Lounge, The Cannery Ballroom and more.
Now: Head over to nextbignashville.net for wristbands ($40, gets you into any show), VIP badges ($100, gets you into any show, plus the NBN conference and VIP events) and individual showcase tickets (prices vary—badge and wristband holders do not need to purchase individual tickets).
Subplot to watch: The Rumble feat. Jemina Pearl. The former Be Your Own Pet singer was lightning rod enough when she lived here, but after alighting in Brooklyn and founding her own band with former BYOP mate John Eatherly, Pearl told Pitchfork: "Nashville's an interesting city but it's one of those places that's better to visit. I'm sure everyone in Nashville's going to be like, 'fuck you,' but I'll say 'fuck you' right back to them." This should make for an interesting homecoming, to say the least. (Saturday, Oct. 10, 8 p.m. at Exit/In.)
