Year in Music 2025: The Scene on the Scene Poll

Each year, we hand off the mic to an array of folks across Nashville’s music scenes in our annual poll. It’s never been just about rock ’n’ roll, but this year we changed the name from “Rock ’n’ Roll Poll” to reflect that. Here’s what musicians, bookers, producers and more had to say about Nashville music in 2025.

Respondents:

DJ Afrosheen: DJ; model; local queer icon

Ellen Angelico: musician

AyyWillé: saxophonist; recording artist

Vivienne Blue: musician

Caroline Bowman-Schneider: Vinyl Tap; Thirty Tigers; Good Signal; Devalued; RCDP; DJ Shug; your biggest fan

Corduroy Clemens: rapper

Ross Collier: Omnichord man of years yonder gone; other musical duties

Nathan Conrad: rapper, Spoken Nerd

Jared Corder: owner and producer, Polychrome Ranch; musician, *repeat repeat

Evan P. Donohue: artist; owner, A Means of Productions LLC

Michael Eades: owner, YK Records

Nordista Freeze: musician

Tyler Glaser: staffer, Grimey’s

Sofia Goodman: drummer; composer

Celia Gregory: morning host, WNXP

Grace Hall: singer, Pressure Heaven

Kyle Hamlett: songwriter; musician

Coley Hinson: producer; sideman

Col. Jazzola: provocateur; unpaid intern

Angela Lese: drummer, Lips Speak Louder and Fingernails Are Pretty; freelance drummer; artist manager

JayVe Montgomery: improvising sound artist

Mariela Moscoso and Bunny Nunn: executive director, YEAH!; program director, YEAH!

Jerry Pentecost: drummer; DJ Jerry; freelance badass

Erin Rae: musician

Rashad tha Poet: poet; MC; corporate speaker

Ziona Riley: singer-songwriter

Chet Weise: editor-in-chief, Third Man Books; lead guitar, Maanta Raay

Emily Young: events director, WNXP; woman about town

What local artist or band ruled Nashville in 2025?

Hayley Williams. —Celia Gregory, Caroline Bowman-Schneider, Emily Young

Blvck Wizzle. —AyyWillé, Corduroy Clemens, Rashad tha Poet

Snooper. —Luke Schneider, Caroline Bowman-Schneider

2’Live Bre. —AyyWillé, Corduroy Clemens

Molly Tuttle. —Evan P. Donohue, Jerry Pentecost

Margo Price. —Jerry Pentecost, Evan P. Donohue

N. Justice. —Nathan Conrad

Kyleigh, Tim Gent, Milly Manny, Daisha McBride. —AyyWillé 

Joelton Mayfield. —Coley Hinson

Alanna Royale. —DJ Afrosheen

Very proud of all of the YK releases this year. See also: Jo Schornikow, Make Yourself at Home, Ben Garnett, Wilby, Quit Music, book NOT brooke + Zina, and Total Wife. —Michael Eades

Total Wife — they are in their own lane! —Vivienne Blue

Massie99. —Jared Corder

Every band that played Mouthhole’s farewell Fester! —Ross Collier

Flummox. —Mariela Moscoso and Bunny Nunn

Grace Bowers. —Sofia Goodman

Good FM. —Nordista Freeze

William Tyler. —Tyler Glaser

The Sleeveens. —Chet Weise

Winona Fighter. —Angela Lese

Lethal Method, Soot. —Grace Hall 

Zook, Chris Crofton, Jessica Breanne. —Kyle Hamlett

The Pink Spiders rocked, rolled and REMEMBERED TO TIP THE SOUND PERSON! —Col. Jazzola

What local artist or band will rule Nashville in 2026?

Brennan Wedl. —Coley Hinson, Vivienne Blue

Joelton Mayfield. —Caroline Bowman-Schneider, Luke Schneider

Courtney Marie Andrews. —Caroline Bowman-Schneider

Shelldhn. —DJ Afrosheen

Six One Trïbe. —Corduroy Clemens 

The Sewing Club. —Grace Hall 

Violet Moons. —Jared Corder

Cumshot Wound. —JayVe Montgomery

Lombardy. —Angela Lese

I’m hoping for new music from HR Lexy, Malcolm Moutenot, The Protomen, Zook, Beth Cameron and Glossary to name just a few. —Michael Eades

The ones that perform outside of Nashville. Expand! —AyyWillé

E.T. continues to be a community-driven rapper. He co-hosts The Fringe Radio Show on Radio Free Nashville with AL-D and co-organizes a new monthly hip-hop event called Barz in the Boro. —Nathan Conrad

Hopefully someone super flamboyant. We really need it here. —Sofia Goodman

Shrunken Elvis. —Tyler Glaser

Waxed. —Chet Weise

Sarah Jarosz. —Jerry Pentecost

Sunshine Scott. —Nordista Freeze

Heavy Cream, Emmylou Harris and Spyboy, Drip Castles. —Evan P. Donohue

Blood Root. —Mariela Moscoso and Bunny Nunn

Circle in the Fire. —Kyle Hamlett

What’s your favorite discovery this year, musical or not?

I was surprised and delighted by releases from candynavia, Shrunken Elvis, Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Ben Garnett, madebit and Nativity Dog. Familiar names Joey Kneiser and Luke Schneider delivered too. —Michael Eades

A deeper disco house scene in Nashville thanks to DJ Manager Mike. I’ve met Virginia Vision and Soul Six Nine because of his party series at Night We Met! Incredible ladies keeping the groove alive. —DJ Afrosheen

Nashville Public Library’s Library of Things. You can borrow musical instruments, tools, electronics and more! —Mariela Moscoso and Bunny Nunn

An Ambient Evening, Wednesdays at Honeytree Meadery hosted by Daniel Wainwright, plus the ongoing Ambient Sundays hosted by Kyle Numann. —Kyle Hamlett

Teaming up with Blaire Beamer to create visual worlds for my songs. Their vision is unmatched. —Vivienne Blue

Vivienne Blue, Swimming Sisters, Wonderful Aspiration of the Source, vegan ceviche at Limo. —Caroline Bowman-Schneider

Massie99. —Emily Young

The monthly milkshake release at BE-Hive. —Jared Corder

DJs Dom J and Solo. —AyyWillé

Karaoke at Low Bar. —Jerry Pentecost

Rocknite at Skinny Dennis. —Nordista Freeze

I experienced my first rave at Possumstock this year. I get it now, lol. —Corduroy Clemens

Hundreds of face-value Paul McCartney tickets available week-of at The Pinnacle Box office. —Tyler Glaser

To the Moon and Back, debut novel by Nashville native Eliana Ramage. —Ziona Riley

Middle Tennessee Soccer Association! —Chet Weise

Abide by the Vibe Publishing, Hartland Studios, Pleasantville Recording. —Evan P. Donohue

Angela Autumn, “Electric Lizard.” —Erin Rae

Marc Payne; the poetry of James Croal Jackson. —Sofia Goodman

Weapons — where did that come from? One Battle After Another — Leo smoking pot to Steely Dan, can I have some more of that? —Coley Hinson

That the sun’s light and heat are the result of 20,000 years of internal audio feedback. —JayVe Montgomery

What’s your favorite story in music — local or not — in 2025?

The People’s Pride, made by and for the queer community, was a huge success. Drkmttr hosted, and the community had a safe, fun and meaningful weekend full of connection, playtime and healing. —DJ Afrosheen

Random Sample having more resources to support local arts than the federal government. —JayVe Montgomery

Continuing to see Jelly Roll be embraced on a major level. —Corduroy Clemens

Blvck Wizzle bringing the city together with “Cashville Be Ballin.” —AyyWillé 

Nashville Famous, Seth Pomeroy’s Chris Crofton documentary. —Erin Rae

Crumbsnatchers played Bonnaroo twice. —Nordista Freeze, Jared Corder

Concurrence finally starting to get all the love they deserve. —Rashad tha Poet 

We played a couple wrestling matches. Blood, bras thrown on stage, clowns, you name it. —Grace Hall 

In mid-July, Chib Bensen, guitarist for local band Butt However, tripped on a loose tile and crashed through one of the Windows on the Cumberland, plummeting 80 feet into the murky water. Incredibly, he swam to shore, toweled off and finished the set. —Col. Jazzola

Caroline Bowman and Michael Eades teaming up to create Good Signal. —Ziona Riley, Vivienne Blue

The rediscovery of Alex Caress; the Blank Range revival. —Caroline Bowman-Schneider

Jo Schornikow’s record release; @4madisonweekly newsletter; alternative distribution platforms for music outside of streaming in abundance. —Michael Eades

Ellen Angelico’s Girl in a Hurry: The Shelly Bush Story podcast. —Evan P. Donohue, Michael Eades

Zoë Dominguez releasing Out the House. We know how to grow ’em here, folks. —Ellen Angelico

Robyn Hitchcock’s Globe of Frogs, remixed and remastered. —Kyle Hamlett

Anika Nilles getting the call to play with Rush. —Angela Lese

Lily Allen’s West End Girl smackdown slash catharsis. —Celia Gregory

The growing discontent with Spotify and the burgeoning migration of listeners to other platforms. —Luke Schneider

The White Stripes’ induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. —Emily Young, Coley Hinson

“Soccer Mommy, The Mall and More Thrill at Drkmttr Fest II.” —Nathan Conrad

“Best Indie Hustle: Charly Ortiz-Martínez.” —Chet Weise

The first Nashville Jazz Festival in decades presented by the Nashville Jazz Workshop and Jeff Coffin! —Sofia Goodman

Emmylou Harris getting inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. —Jerry Pentecost

Jason Isbell inviting youth bands to open for his residency at the Ryman. —Mariela Moscoso and Bunny Nunn

Ringo Starr going to Grimey’s to shop unannounced. —Tyler Glaser

What’s one thing you hope to see more of in local music in 2026?

Backbones. There are a lot of people cultivating safe and inclusive spaces within the industry in our city. I want more people to be the change they want to see. —DJ Afrosheen

Solidarity with UMAW — United Musicians and Allied Workers! Also would love to see adoption of Subvert, an artist-owned alternative to Bandcamp. —Luke Schneider

Mixed-use venues and shows combining music with other performance arts. We have a bit already: events by The Porch, The Psycho’s Quiz Show and Cortney Warner’s Blue Room comedy nights, plus house shows curated by dancer-musician Sari Hoke. —Ziona Riley

I’d like to see more variety of local artists supported, instead of holding space for the exact same artists over and over. —Angela Lese

More cross-genre collaborations. —Jerry Pentecost, Corduroy Clemens, Michael Eades, Rashad tha Poet

Having fun and taking more creative chances. I want to see more visually pleasing optics and aesthetics that make sense to the band, as well as unconventional show settings. —Grace Hall, AyyWillé, Michael Eades

Women; paying musicians well; warm-vibe jam sessions with great players. —Sofia Goodman

Where is the Nashville hip-hop newsletter — what is happening and how do I find out? Also, more backlash to streaming. I understand the convenience but the big players have no interest in artist fairness. —Michael Eades

More opportunities for youth bands to perform in Nashville! More funding from the city for youth to get access to music education. —Mariela Moscoso and Bunny Nunn

All ages shows!!! —Emily Young

In a time where so many people are struggling financially, I would like to see more free DIY shows in spaces where parking is free. —Nathan Conrad

More pop divas! ;) —Vivienne Blue

Nonalcoholic brews. —JayVe Montgomery

More than ever, I need the headliner to go on before 10 p.m. on weeknights, pretty please. Help me help you. <3 —Celia Gregory

Community care. Look out for your people! —Ross Collier

What’s one thing you hope we leave behind next year?

Corporate-washing! We need equity and accessibility in the music industry. —Mariela Moscoso and Bunny Nunn

Judgment. We’re all gonna die so why do we care so much what others think of us? Most of the time it’s a projection anyway. —Grace Hall

People sending me Spotify links to check out songs or albums. Please use literally any other platform. —Luke Schneider

I’d like to see more artists break out of the bondage of outdated pay-for-play tech scams from streaming services. —Nathan Conrad

Phones at shows. —Jerry Pentecost

Embrace the 6 p.m. show. —Michael Eades

AI. —AyyWillé, Evan P. Donohue

AI country music. Anyone involved in that should be embarrassed! —Coley Hinson

Chompers. —Evan P. Donohue

Prioritizing playlisting over building real community. —Caroline Bowman-Schneider

Division and pandering to country music. —Corduroy Clemens

Overthinking your release strategy. —Jared Corder

Misogyny, but I’d like to see that less everywhere. —Angela Lese

The status quo. Just because our nationwide politics are regressing does not mean our creative scenes have to. —DJ Afrosheen

Who in Nashville music deserves more attention than they got in 2025?

Tim Gent. “MLB” should’ve been on every baseball advertisement in the world this year. —AyyWillé 

The hip-hop scene as a whole definitely needs more attention. Shoutout to every platform and person that has shed light. —Corduroy Clemens

I wish the local community cared more about the strides Winona Fighter has made. —Angela Lese

DJs Dame Luz and Dumb Groove consistently show up and show out for our Latiné + diasporic communities. Their party series It’s Giving Global is the BEST series in the city. They bring international artists and global icons to town, while uplifting and amplifying Black and brown culture. —DJ Afrosheen

Soft Junk, a wonderfully professional venue with a DIY heart. Everything from punk to metal and singer-songwriters to poetry readings. This kind of place is what keeps Nashville real. —Chet Weise

E.J. Ford’s work in music is in so many different areas, from being a school music teacher to playing downtown to mentoring youth in music at YEAH! and performing at his church. —Mariela Moscoso and Bunny Nunn 

More people need to experience Dale J. Gordon’s albums and films. —Nathan Conrad

Lovely releases from Purser, DoomFolk StarterKit and label Dead Currencies. Everyone deserves attention! More reviews! More roundups! Where are the music blogs? —Michael Eades

Ziona Riley, Kyle Hamlett, Slow Shiv, Old Crow Medicine Show’s OCMS XMAS album. —Evan P. Donohue

Blood Root. —Grace Hall, Caroline Bowman-Schneider

Jessie Gray. —Ross Collier, Kyle Hamlett, Ziona Riley

Noelle Goodin. —Kyle Hamlett

Tom Barrett, Jung Min Noh, Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament. —Ziona Riley

Kelsey Waldon, Caroline Spence, Kashena Sampson. —Erin Rae

Fealty, Dream Wave, Blemish. —Grace Hall 

Belly Full of Stars, Mt. Worcester. —Luke Schneider

Langhorne Slim, Henri Herbert, Amanda Broadway. —Jerry Pentecost

Cody Parson, artist and creator of Possumstock. —Nordista Freeze

Matt TV. —Coley Hinson

Claire Maisto. —Vivienne Blue

Shanny & The East Men. —Jared Corder

Lizzie No. —JayVe Montgomery

Jarren Blair. —Celia Gregory

Hannah Delynn. —Caroline Bowman-Schneider

Emmanuel Echem. —Sofia Goodman

Emily Hines. —Emily Young

Tristen. —Tyler Glaser

What was your favorite release — single, EP, mixtape, album — by a Nashville artist in 2025?

Tim Gent, “MLB”; Kyleigh, “Bad Tattoo”; Blvck Wizzle, “Cashville Be Ballin”; Starlito, Regretfully. —AyyWillé 

Biased, but: Lilly Hiatt, Forever. —Coley Hinson

Jim Hoke, “Flying Hippopotamus”; Tristen, “Rose and Thorn”; Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, “Sacrament”; musician/poet Lou Turner’s book Twin Lead Lines. —Ziona Riley

Shelldhn, “That’s Hot.” —DJ Afrosheen

Blood Root, “I’d Rather Be Swimming.” —Vivienne Blue

Liz Cooper, “New Day”; Chris Crofton, “I’m Your Man.” —Erin Rae

Twen, “Tumbleweed”; Really Regular, “Where Have You Been.” —Jared Corder

R.A.P. Ferreira’s releases. —JayVe Montgomery

Winona Fighter’s My Apologies to the Chef is a BANGER, but selfishly, my favorite release is Lips Speak Louder’s Consolation Prize. —Angela Lese

Gee Slab, Roots in the Dirt; $hrames, Billionaire Boy. —Corduroy Clemens 

New releases from Fealty, Blood Root and book NOT brooke. —Grace Hall 

William Tyler and Kieran Hebden, 41 Longfield Street, Late ’80s. —Luke Schneider

Kyle Hamlett Uno, The Way Out Inn. —Ross Collier, Michael Eades

Annie DiRusso, Superpedestrian. —Celia Gregory

Jo Schornikow, Quiet Excerpts. —Ellen Angelico, Michael Eades

Hölljes, Exactly What I Asked For; Caitlin Cannon, Love Addict. —Ellen Angelico

Jamie Lidell and Luke Schneider, A Companion for the Spaces Between Dreams —Kyle Hamlett, Caroline Bowman-Schneider, Michael Eades

Marissa Nadler, New Radiations; Michael Hix’s Wonderful Aspiration of the Source. —Kyle Hamlett

Twen, Fate Euphoric; Zac Farro “1,” Lilly Hiatt, “Evelyn’s House.” —Caroline Bowman-Schneider

N. Justice, NJAM: Negro Justice Appreciation Month. —Nathan Conrad, Michael Eades

I can’t pick one! You can’t make me! All of the YK releases were in my heavy rotation, including Chris Crofton and PHIZ. Also: Malcolm Moutenot, “I Like These Things”; Quit Music, Vol. 1; William Tyler, Time Indefinite; Wilby, Center of Affection. — Michael Eades

Cynthea Kelley, “Restless.” —Sofia Goodman

Madi Diaz, Fatal Optimist. —Emily Young

Caroline Spence, Heart Go Wild. —Tyler Glaser

Daisha McBride, “Can’t Stop This.” —Jerry Pentecost

Releases involving Polychrome Ranch. —Nordista Freeze

Tristen, Unpopular Music. —Evan P. Donohue

JayVe Montgomery, Lake Black Town. —Mariela Moscoso and Bunny Nunn

What was the best musical performance you saw in 2025?

Kyleigh at City Winery; Starlito w/Brassville at The Blue Room. —AyyWillé 

Oasis at the Rose Bowl; Brian Jonestown Massacre at the Palace in Louisville. —Coley Hinson

The Chewers at the final Mouthhole Fest(er). —Ziona Riley

YEAH!’s ForgetMeNots playing a sold-out show opening for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Ryman Auditorium!!! —Mariela Moscoso and Bunny Nunn

Justice at State Farm Arena. —DJ Afrosheen

Amyl and the Sniffers! Amy Taylor is an icon. —Vivienne Blue

Cortney Tidwell and Tristen (aka PHIZ) at Soft Junk. —Erin Rae

Boy Orbison at 3rd and Lindsley. —Jared Corder

You & I at Springwater. —Jayve Montgomery

Narrowing it down to local bands only, I’d say Girl Tones at Brooklyn Bowl. I would also say Bully at The Blue Room, but I don’t really consider her on a local level. —Angela Lese

Cam Gallagher & The Tasty Soul and BEAN. at 615 Day at The Basement East. —Corduroy Clemens 

Dream Wave and Lockstep. —Grace Hall 

Sharp Pins at The Blue Room. —Luke Schneider

Brìghde Chaimbeul at Random Sample in the early spring. Small pipe drones, preceded by a deftly handed quartet of some of Nashville’s best improvisers (JW Bird’s Celestial Dream Vortex). Made me weep! —Ross Collier

Oasis in Edinburgh. —Celia Gregory

Juanaroo at The Blue Room, Jan. 4. Close second: Cam at the Ryman, Oct. 26. —Ellen Angelico

Lou Turner’s book release at Soft Junk. —Kyle Hamlett

Paul McCartney at The Pinnacle; Jo Schornikow’s release show. —Caroline Bowman-Schneider

Jo Schornikow’s album release; Jessica Breanne at The Basement; Tower Defense with The Robe at The Basement; Serotonin at The Cobra was a breath of fresh, brutal air. Gray Worry and Stuffed Spider at Spooky Ghoul Fest were top-tier unforgettable. —Michael Eades

Stereolab at Brooklyn Bowl. —Nathan Conrad

Brian Blade at the Nashville Jazz Workshop. —Sofia Goodman

Viagra Boys at Marathon Music Works. —Emily Young

Paul McCartney at The Pinnacle. —Tyler Glaser

AC/DC. My first time. Something is wrong with my priorities? —Chet Weise

Jon Baptiste at the Opry House. —Jerry Pentecost

Jarren Blair at The Inglewood Jam. —Nordista Freeze

Heavy Cream at Duke’s 10th Anniversary. —Evan P. Donohue

Year in Music 2025

Talking with rock star Hayley Williams, counting down our favorite local albums and more