The Scene's Favorite Photos of 2025

A wildly divisive session of the Tennessee General Assembly, fueled in part by the second inauguration of President Donald Trump, inspired many protests at the state Capitol early in 2025. But the year also featured legendary performances, important anniversaries for Nashville institutions, and cultural celebrations among the communities that make our city diverse. Fortunately, the Nashville Scene's talented staff and freelance photographers were there to help us document all the action.

Below find 23 of our favorite photographs from 2025, as selected by Scene art director Elizabeth Jones — with some context and commentary from yours truly.

Just two days before President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January, hundreds of attendees gathered in downtown Nashville for Women’s March Tennessee’s People’s March. With a mission to “protect progress, resist harmful policies, and fight for justice and equality for women and all those who call this country home,” crowds gathered at the Metro Courthouse. Among those in attendance were activists and 2024 Democratic state House candidates Ailina Carona, Allie Philips and Victoria Broderick.

Also in January, hundreds of advocates gathered outside the Tennessee State Capitol to call for gun reform following a fatal school shooting at Antioch High School the previous week. Relatives of shooting victim Josselin Corea Escalante were among those in attendance.

During a special January session considering legislation on education, immigration and disaster relief, the state’s Republican supermajority narrowly passed Gov. Bill Lee’s controversial voucher package. At one point during the session, lawmakers — including Lt. Gov. Randy McNally — were served bologna sandwiches. 

The Scene’s annual People Issue — in which we profile some of Nashville’s most fascinating characters — is a perpetual staff favorite. For the 2025 People Issue, I spoke with comedian, actor and viral sensation Andi Marie Tillman, who also graced that week’s cover.

In March, dozens of protesters shut down a House subcommittee after speaking out against bills that would allow school boards to prohibit undocumented students from attending public schools. Among the protesters was Gisselle Huerta, founder of advocacy group Hijos de Inmigrantes (Children of Immigrants). The legislation ultimately stalled, though it could be revived in this year’s forthcoming legislative session. Just last month, we at the Scene named Huerta as one of our Nashvillians of the Year. 

Ag Day on the Hill is a peculiar annual tradition during which Tennessee lawmakers pose with livestock and participate in events like a corn-shelling competition. While perhaps nothing will ever top Hamilton Matthew Masters’ 2022 shot of Gov. Bill Lee wincing while milking a cow, there were nevertheless some characteristically wacky shots. 

Shortly before her headlining appearance at the Ryman in March, acclaimed Americana artist Joy Oladokun graced the cover of the Scene, with a writeup from longtime contributor Brittney McKenna. “It was sort of like a dogfight to get done,” Oladokun told McKenna about making her latest record, “and to convince my team and people that I should make a record alone.”

In April, the state’s Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee passed the Senate version of the aforementioned legislation targeting undocumented students in public schools. During the committee meeting, 80-year-old Lynne McFarland refused to leave and was ultimately carried out by state troopers and taken into custody, where she was charged with disrupting a meeting and resisting stop, frisk, halt, arrest or search, both misdemeanors. Reporter Julianne Akers was present to document the scene.

As Julianne Akers reported in our 2025 Green Issue, federal funding cuts halted Tennessee State University’s restoration efforts in North Nashville’s Tiger Bay Wetlands — but not before Julianne and our photographer Angelina Castillo accompanied TSU students for a tour of the wetlands.

For our annual Food & Drink Issue, Scene staff rounded up 48 exemplary takes on classic menu items — from fish and chips to banana splits. According to our own Logan Butts, Dicey’s makes one of the best classic pepperoni pizzas in town.

Ahead of our April 24 cover story on Nashville’s Cambodian community, arts editor Laura Hutson Hunter and staff photographer Eric England attended an annual memorial blessing ceremony at the Cambodian Buddhist Temple in East Nashville.

For our May 1 cover story, longtime Scene contributor Sean L. Maloney profiled artists including Tristen, Jemina Pearl and Jerry Pentecost about what it takes to raise a family while keeping the rock ’n’ roll dream alive.

In May, staffer Logan Butts visited Smyrna’s Adventure Factory — a 62,000-square-foot space housing the production facilities for Nashville-based entertainment company The Escape Game.

In our annual Summer Guide, we encouraged our readers to get outside with a roundup of outdoor happenings. Also in the issue, staffer Eric England photographed Afrokokoroot’s expressive frontman Sunny Dada with artist Sophie Ryder’s “Crawling Lady Hare” at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.

On Memorial Day, controversy-embroiled and frequently xenophobic Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles held a press conference under the banner “Stop the Invasion: Defend Tennessee” inside the state Capitol's Old Supreme Court Chamber. The building was closed for the holiday, meaning the 100-plus protesters demonstrating against Ogles were not able to enter the press conference. Eagle-eyed Scene readers might recognize local musician Molly Martin in Hamilton Matthew Masters’ above photograph of the protest.

June 2 was the last opportunity for residents to access the roughly 20-acre encampment near Anthes Drive where more than 100 people lived in RVs, tents and makeshift structures. Reporter Eli Motycka and photographer Eric England were present to document moving day at the longtime encampment. 

In a June profile on Bear Creek Farm, longtime Scene food writer Chris Chamberlain outlined how the family operation supplies beef for restaurants including Arnold’s, Husk and Bad Idea in a responsible, sustainable way.

Maryland man Kilmar Abrego Garcia made national headlines in 2025 after being wrongfully deported to El Salvador. In August, he was released from custody in Tennessee and sent to his home state. Photographer and reporter Hamilton Matthew Masters was present as Abrego was escorted from the Putnam County Jail.

Several dozen protesters gathered outside Nashville's U.S. Department of Homeland Security field office on Labor Day to speak out against a joint operation between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Tennessee National Guard. The protest included remarks from community leaders and activists and saw protesters offer marigolds to DHS officials.

Iconic Nashville radio program the Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025, as outlined in an October cover story from contributor Margaret Littman. The previous month, singer-songwriter Steve Earle was inducted into the Opry by his old pal Emmylou Harris.

Thousands of people headed to the state Capitol on Oct. 18 for the second iteration of the nationwide set of “No Kings” rallies in protest of President Donald Trump's administration. Tennessee Highway Patrol monitored the event, which remained peaceful, though some counterprotesters were seen in the area.

Photographer Angelina Castillo and I had the privilege of covering the bewilderingly energetic Paul McCartney’s 150-minute November concert at The Pinnacle in downtown Nashville. The former Beatle’s 30-plus-song set list included songs from all over the Beatles, Wings and solo Macca catalogs. 

For the final 2025 installment of her series Date Night, food writer Danny Bonvissuto attended a trio of beloved East Side establishments — including Rosemary & Beauty Queen in Five Points.