This fall, the calendars at Nashville venues large and small are overflowing with concerts. Some massive tours that you’re likely aware of are coming through, including Chappell Roan (Oct. 1 at FirstBank Amphitheater), Charli XCX and Troye Sivan (Oct. 2 at Bridgestone Arena), Sabrina Carpenter (Oct. 16 at Bridgestone Arena), Post Malone (Oct. 19 at Nissan Stadium) and Billie Eilish (Nov. 6 at Bridgestone Arena). We’ve rounded up some more that caught our eye, with extra notes on a handful of them.
Dave Matthews Band, playing Pilgrimage on Saturday, Sept. 28
Sept. 28-29: Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, 239 Franklin Road, Franklin
At Pilgrimage, there’s something for most music fans (at least those whose tastes tend toward roots, rock and pop). And with noteworthy sets scattered throughout the day, it’s been one of the more family-friendly fests in our area since 2015. The trend continues this year: Saturday’s lineup includes Celisse, Allison Russell, Willi Carlisle and headliner Dave Matthews Band, while Grace Bowers and the Hodge Podge, Myles Smith, COIN and headliner Noah Kahan are among those on deck for Sunday.
Kyshona
Oct. 11: Kyshona at 3rd and Lindsley, 818 Third Ave S.
Expert songwriter and phenomenal singer Kyshona explores her family history in depth on her latest LP Legacy. This challenging task was even harder because her ancestors were enslaved people, and a great deal of information was lost or never even collected. The result is a vital, vibrant expression of strength and resilience in a rocking and soulful musical setting. Don’t miss this chance to hear her bring it to life.
Oct. 19-20: Drkmttr Fest at Drkmttr, 1111 Dickerson Pike
Since 2015, all-ages space Drkmttr has stepped up in all kinds of ways for Nashville’s music community. This year, the co-founders took a major step and became a federally recognized nonprofit. A wide range of great musicians — from Georgia post-punk aces Pylon Reenactment Society to Nashville guitar wizard William Tyler and beyond — will help them celebrate this achievement and raise funds at the inaugural Drkmttr Fest.
BigXThaPlug
Oct. 28: BigXThaPlug at Eastside Bowl, 1508A Gallatin Pike S., Madison
One of the most fun sets at Bonnaroo this year was from Dallas rapper BigXThaPlug. He’s a master at working the crowd with gestures and expressions, timing his dropping of bars for maximum impact. His flow is reminiscent of Biggie at three-quarter speed, his stage presence is a bit like Andre the Giant, and he’s primed to blow the doors off Eastside Bowl.
Nov. 9: The Privates at The Basement, 1604 Eighth Ave. S.
Though they never got to build the outside-of-Nashville following of contemporaries like JEFF the Brotherhood, The Features or Those Darlins, nervy quartet The Privates played a key role in leveling up Nashville rock ’n’ roll in the Aughts. In August, YK Records released the long-overdue retrospective compilation We’re Really Rocking Now, Haven’t We?, bookended by two excellent new songs; now The Privates have scheduled their first show in more than a decade. Whether it’s a one-off or the harbinger of a revival to come (a là Be Your Own Pet), it’s a reason to celebrate.
Nov. 23: Kaitlin Butts at Exit/In, 2208 Elliston Place
This has been a huge year for country songsmith Kaitlin Butts, with months of touring — from clubs to festivals of all sizes — in the run-up to and in the wake of her excellent LP Roadrunner! You don’t need to know it’s inspired by Oklahoma! to enjoy it; it’s just outstanding songwriting and playing in an updated honky-tonk mode. Don’t sleep on tickets to her homecoming show; it’s highly unlikely she’ll play intimate rooms like this for much longer.
Kacey Musgraves
Dec. 6-7: Kacey Musgraves at Bridgestone Arena, 501 Broadway
Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Well is exactly the kind of album you hope the champion singer-songwriter would make more than a decade into her career. It’s a spiritual and tonal reset that builds on all the work she’s been doing — personally and professionally — and it sounds simultaneously softer than much of her previous work and more confident than ever. She’ll celebrate with a two-night blowout at the ’Stone with Lord Huron and Nickel Creek supporting.
Twenty-five more shows for your consideration:
- Sept. 26: Styrofoam Winos Album Release at Soft Junk
- Sept. 27: Musicians Corner Season Finale feat. Parker Millsap, Larysa Jaye & more
- Sept. 30: Khruangbin at Ascend Amphitheater
- Oct. 2: La Luz at The End
- Oct. 9-12: You Got Gold: Celebrating the Life and Songs of John Prine at various venues
- Oct. 10-13, Oct. 17-20: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Ryman residency
- Oct. 10: Amanda Shires: Off the Record — Unplugged and Untamed at Exit/In
- Oct. 11-12: Breakaway Nashville feat. Tiësto, Marshmello and more at Fair Park
- Oct. 11: Jeff Lynne’s ELO at Bridgestone Arena
- Oct. 11: Vampire Weekend at Ascend Amphitheater
- Oct. 12: Maggie Rogers at Bridgestone Arena
- Oct. 18: Teddy and the Rough Riders Album Release at Soft Junk
- Oct. 19: Rainbow Kitten Surprise at Ascend Amphitheater
- Oct. 25: Sturgill Simpson at Bridgestone Arena
- Oct. 25: X at Brooklyn Bowl
- Oct. 27: Latto at Municipal Auditorium
- Oct. 28: Tinashe at Marathon Music Works
- Oct. 31: Being Dead at The Blue Room at Third Man Records
- Nov. 4: Clairo at the Grand Ole Opry House
- Nov. 7: Julie Williams at The Blue Room at Third Man Records
- Nov. 11-13: Leon Bridges at the Ryman
- Nov. 14-16: Briston Maroney’s Paradise at Brooklyn Bowl
- Nov. 20: Chapel Hart’s Hartfelt Family Christmas at City Winery
- Nov. 20: Gwar at Brooklyn Bowl
- Dec. 6-7: The Mavericks at the Ryman
María Magdalena Campos-Pons’ 'Behold' tops our list of the season’s most exciting art, music, book, theater, dance and film events
