Weekend Round-Up: Metropolis Style

Salutations, Creamsters, and a happy Friday to ya. On Jan. 10, 1927, German audiences got their first look at Metropolis. The film, written by Thea von Harbou and directed by Fritz Lang, offers a vivid and poignant look at how problems persist even in a fantastical, technologically advanced future. (And at 93 years old, it still looks wild.) It's a silent film and has had many new scores written for it. That includes a (very) 1984 version by disco icon Giorgio Moroder, featuring singers like Freddie Mercury, Pat Benatar and Bonnie Tyler.

Our cover story this week is on stories to watch in 2020 — and one that's pertinent to music fans is how local investment from the world's largest concert promoter, Live Nation, could affect the city's live music scene. On a similar note, you'll also want to watch this year for developments related to a bill that's coming to Metro Council, which could pave the way for making home studios (and other home-based businesses that serve clients) legal.

And, in the latest installment of his Nashville Byline series, Radley Balko talks to Justin Hiltner, a banjo master and a bright light in the realm of old-time music. 

In the music section this week, Jason Shawhan previews Céline Dion's rare Nashville appearance, Monday at Bridgestone Arena. (The piece includes a music video playlist to help you explore the range of the Canadian icon's work.) And champion rapper Wale, who plays Cannery Ballroom on Jan. 17, talks with associate editor Alejandro Ramirez about making his most personal record yet, Wow... That's Crazy.

Let's talk shows! Take a look at our top picks for the weekend below, let us know what we missed in the comments, and have yourselves a lovely weekend.

Friday:

* R.LUM.R Vinyl Release (acoustic) at Grimey's

* Ryoki Center Album Release feat. Slow Mass, Null & Shell of a Shell at Drkmttr

* Heartstrings Nonprofit Launch Party feat. Willis, Sara Bug, Blood Root & The Sadderdays at The 5 Spot

* Ron Pope w/Caroline Spence at Mercy Lounge

* Lamplighter Songwriter Series feat. Max T. Barnes, Leona Williams & Billy Yates (6 p.m.), Rafe Van Hoy, Wynn Varble & Wood Newton (9 p.m.) at Douglas Corner Cafe

* The Emo Night Tour at The Basement East

* Unknown Hinson w/Matt's Blues at Exit/In

* Curtis Lundy feat. Bobby Watson at Rudy's Jazz Room

* Modern Day Flirt w/Our Brother George & The Young Something at The End

* Bryan Howell w/Hard Redemption & Sophie and the Broken Things at Springwater

* John Oates at the Station Inn

* Opry at the Ryman feat. Vince Gill, Mark Wills, Mitchell Tenpenny & more

Saturday:

* The Lantern Tour II feat. Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle & more at War Memorial Auditorium

* Strung Like a Horse w/Cosmic Shift & Flying Buffaloes at The Basement

* Sam Bush & The Travelin' McCourys at Marathon Music Works

* Lamplighter Songwriter Series feat. Vincent Trocchia, Nathan Clark & more (6 p.m.), Phillip Coleman, Annie Mosher & more (9 p.m.) at Douglas Corner Cafe

* Curtis Lundy feat. Bobby Watson at Rudy's Jazz Room

* Save Music City Home Studio Expo (noon-3 p.m.) at SAE Institute

* R.B. Morris Album Release (6 p.m.) at The 5 Spot

* Rock Eupora w/Newscast & W.B. Wooten at Drkmttr

* Benefit for MusiCares: Tribute — Industrial Night Vol. 2 at Exit/In

* Tribute to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater at The Basement East

* Panda Forces w/Glamper & Casey Jo and the Friday Night Dads at Springwater

* Plan B Band at the Station Inn

* Opry at the Ryman feat. Mark Wills, Gary Mule Deer, Brett Kissel & more

And the rest