Rhythm N’ Blooms 2015: Best Bets

In Cover Stories, Music Stories by Matthew Everettleave a COMMENT

With more than 50 bands—including headliners the Decemberists, Drive-By Truckers, the Dirty Guv’nahs, and Delta Spirit—you can’t see or hear it all at this year’s Rhythm N’ Blooms. (And we can’t write about it all.) Focus on what you can get to or want to hear—there’s no regret or shame at a festival as packed with good options as this one is. But a little planning can help, so here’s a quick guide to some of the best bets outside the big names. (Go to rhythmnbloomsfest.com for the full schedule and lineup.)

 

Friday, April 10

SUBTLE CLUTCH

subtle_clutch

 

 

 

 

 

This youthful band has made the big step from Market Square buskers to legit industry up-and-comers with an RN’B slot and last year’s debut EP, Southern Wind, a mix of classic bluegrass, Mumford and Sons, the Violent Femmes, and the Band.
Boyd’s Jig and Reel • 6:30 p.m. 

 

WILLIAM WILD

william_wild

 

 

 

 

 

Local folk-rock trio William Wild (it’s a band, not a guy) made an impressive debut last year with their Avett-styled self-titled album, full of lustrous chamber-folk and impeccable harmonies.
Pilot Light • 8:30 p.m.

 

THE SUFFERS

suffers

 

 

 

 

 

Big soul, R&B, and rock ’n’ roll from a big band—this Gulf Coast combo has 10 members, including a full horn section.
The Standard • 8:45 p.m.

 

LiL iFFy’s FINAL SPELL

lil_iffy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wil Wright starts the final phase of his career as the wizard rapper LiL iFFy, timed to the release of his last album under that name. This show kicks off a final tour that will lead to one last iFFy performance on New Year’s Eve.
Pilot Light • 11:15 p.m.

 

THE WANS

wans

 

 

 

 

 

The Wans expand Nashville’s garage-rock palette with a dose of swirling psychedelic guitars—more Brian Jonestown Massacre than the Black Keys—on last year’s debut album, He Said, She Said.
Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 12:45 a.m.

 

Saturday, April 11

WORKSHOPS
Check out seminars on the creative and business sides of the music industry, from songwriting to publicity and how to get a gig.
The Emporium Center • 1-7 p.m.

 

*REPEAT REPEAT
Crunchy lo-fi guitar pop representing Nashville’s thriving garage-rock scene.
The Standard • 2:45 p.m.

 

COUNT THIS PENNY
Wisconsin transplants Count This Penny come home to East Tennessee, bringing a brace of sophisticated, melancholy folk-rock songs with them.
Lox Salon • 5:30 p.m.

 

6 STRING DRAG
The reunited ’90s No Depression standard-bearers incorporate classic R&B and rock ’n’ roll influences on their first album in 16 years, the aptly titled Roots Rock ’n’ Roll, released earlier this year.
Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 10 p.m.

 

WHISKEY SHIVERS
The rambunctious Austin newgrass quintet takes on the Violent Femmes in a surprising late-night set that promises to be one of the weekend’s highlights.
Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria • 12:30 a.m.

 

Sunday, April 12

KRISTINA TRAIN
New York-born, Georgia-raised Kristina Train has lived in London since 2010; her moody 2012 album Dark Black captures her multidimensional background, with classic songbook influences, moody ambient production, and an emotionally arresting vocal performance.
Pilot Light • 1 p.m.

 

BEAR MEDICINE

bear_medicine_(Rich_Copley)Rich Copley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Lexington band offers tiny, minimalistic songs with subtle impressionistic details on its 2014 album, The Moon Has Been All My Life.
Pilot Light • 3 p.m.

 

J.D. McPHERSON

mcpherson_j.d

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oklahoma rocker J.D. McPherson mixes up fans and critics who had tagged him as a simple retro act on his new album, Let the Good Times Roll—there’s as much contemporary indie as Fats Domino on the new record, to admirable effect.
Cripple Creek Stage • 6:15 p.m.

 

Read all our Rhythm N’ Blooms coverage here

Senior Editor Matthew Everett manages the Knoxville Mercury's arts & entertainment section, including the comprehensive calendar section—Knoxville’s go-to guide for everything worth doing in the area. You can reach Matthew at matthew@knoxmercury.com.

Share this Post