Review: Live on the Green, Nick Waterhouse
My musical weekend started Thursday night at Live on the Green. This week was the most anticipated lineup I had ever heard of for Live on the Green. To start the night off, some friends and I arrived early (around 5:30) because we had heard they were preparing for a crowd of 20,000 attendees. After hearing this we knew we had to get there early to get a good spot.
After about an hour, the first band hit the stage. Fly Golden Eagle, a local electronic grunge rock band, started their set with a song featuring some fiery saxophone and keys. Fly Golden Eagle is a band that has recently been gaining exposure and hitting the festival circuit with appearances at Bonnaroo and other festivals. These guys from the east side of Nashville (including a Lipscomb graduate, Richard Harper), started the night better than most any local band could.
The next band on stage was the local former Belmont students, The Apache Relay. With this being their second Live on the Green, they were seasoned and ready to go. You could tell the maturity they had gained due to their recent touring with bands such as Dawes and Mumford and Sons while they entertained what now seemed like 10,000 people in the crowd. Once their set ended, everyone knew what was next.
Alabama Shakes was setting up. This time last year I don’t think anyone in the crowd even knew who these guys were, but you better believe they did last Thursday. Finally, after what seemed like forever, they took to the stage with their hit song “Hold On.” It seemed like everyone there was dancing and singing along. After about five songs, I looked at my phone and Lightning 100 (a local radio station) had tweeted a picture from the stage, showing the enormity of the crowd. It seemed like the whole city was enjoying this night together. What an amazing night. This was a concert I never wanted to end. And as critical as my view on shows are, I must say, this was one of the best I’ve ever seen.
I spent the next two days recovering from how amazing Thursday night was. But come Sunday, I was ready to go see an act I had heard a lot about but had never seen live. Nick Waterhouse from L.A. was rolling into the High Watt on Cannery Row, and I was not going to miss it. Waterhouse resembles a Buddy Holly appearance with a big band sound. This show had an opener named the Allah Las. All I can say about them was… well… nothing really. They were below par.
After the opener, there was what seemed to be a break that was longer than necessary. Finally Nick Waterhouse came out with his slick-looking band. They wasted no time and started rocking in their own individual way. From the first to last song, it was a dance party, and I loved it. Nick and his female background singer hit a few notes that left the crowd with nothing to do but cheer. Overall great show but part of me felt as though Nick was too up tight with his music and band. I love when I can see the whole band loose and having a great time.
Coming up this week:
OK, OK, enough reminiscing for now. Let us move ahead to what’s to come this week in our great city. All right, here’s my list of “must see shows” for the week with times and locations.
10/5 – First Aid Kit (8 p.m. 3rd and Lindsley), Belle X1 (9 p.m. Basement), Hustle Dance Party (10 p.m. Cannery Ballroom), The Weeks (9 p.m. High Watt)
10/6 – Musicians Corner (1 p.m. Centennial Park), JD McPherson (9 p.m. Mercy Lounge)
10/7 – The Shins (7 p.m. Ryman Auditorium)
Now first let me say that these are not the only shows going on in this great Music Mecca called Nashville. But if I had the time or money to go to all of the shows I wanted, these are my selections.
Oct. 5
First Aid Kit: Well, this is a band that I know of firsthand. I was able to see First Aid Kit at Lollapalooza in Chicago this past August. In my opinion, the setup at 3rd and Lindsley will cater much more to their sound than the big festival stage I saw them on in August. With a list of songs consisting of mostly ballads, these Swedish sisters are great writers and tell stories very well through their songs. It will be interesting seeing them in Nashville considering they have apparently been spending time here with Jack White who has taken interest in their music.
Belle X1: OK, I’ll be upfront with you guys. All I know of this band is they are an indie rock band form Ireland. I heard them on Pandora a year or so ago, and they have stuck with me. So, knowing that, here is my opinion. This show could be hit or miss. But hey, it’s an act that rarely makes a visit to Music City, so it’s worth a shot.
Hustle Dance Party: Do you like to dance? If your answer even resembles yes, then you should think about heading out to the Cannery Ballroom Friday. This event is being advertised as the year’s biggest dance party. Well, considering the DJ lineup consists of Coach, DJ Rate, Reno Bo and Jacob Jones (the DJs from Nashville’s most successful parties), I think they could be correct. So get ready for some fun this Friday night!
The Weeks: OK, these Mississippi rockers seem to be playing shows all over the city. Recently signed with the Kings of Leon label “Snakes and Serpents,” these guys are getting plays everywhere including one local radio station, Lightning 100. The High Watt is where these guys will grace the stage this Friday. So head on down and see this band before they hit it big and you can no longer afford to see them.
Oct. 6
Musicians Corner: OK, I know we have been over how cool this thing is. So, if you have yet to go out and see a Musicians Corner, go out this Saturday and catch it before the season ends. For this Saturday, Phil Keaggy, a talented guitar player, will be headlining at Musicians Corner. So, once again, get a blanket and head to the park for some FREE world class music.
JD McPherson: Once an art teacher in Chicago, this new swing/big band frontman changed to the music industry. I was not lucky enough to head out to 3rd and Lindsley in July when he was last in town, but lucky for me, it was a live broadcast on the radio, so I heard it all. This guy will have you jumping and jiving the whole night. Click this link to his single “Northside Gal” to get an idea of just how much swing he offers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZGn4LncY0g
Oct. 7
The Shins: Well, I hate to say this, but this one is sold out folks. So, unless you can find a scalper or a Craigslister willing to give up their ticket, you’re out of luck. But I will say that, having seen these guys this past summer, they truly do put on a nice show. And to see them at the historic Ryman Auditorium would be a sight to see.
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