The Steeldrivers, Station Inn, Nashville, TN - 05/10/2013

My wife and I took her parents to see the Steeldrivers and arrived at the Station Inn about 45 minutes before 9 PM. Already, we could scarcely find space, so those of us who could sit did while some of us stood up at the back. But they were great, and seeing shows at the Station Inn, while a bit of a pain in the neck in terms of needing to get there early, etc., is very special. They played a long, great set, and we stayed through the whole show. Worth checking out ...

The Men w/ Diarrhea Planet and Organs, The Stone Fox, Nashville, TN - 04/30/2013

My buddy and I headed over to the Stone Fox for this one (great venue) with high hopes. I really loved Open Your Heart and was excited to see the Men. Openers Diarrhea Planet were shockingly good and a lot of fun with a pretty full house for their set. The Men were very, um, intense, but it just wasn't a very "on" night. I also think that this is a show that I would have loved at a younger age but just wasn't up my alley. We left after about 6 songs, just not feeling it. And it was loud. Alas ...

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds w/ Sharon Van Etten, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN - 03/16/2013

Finally getting things updated before the end of the year. Ugh. So this was a winner, definitely top 2 or 3 shows that I saw this year. Sharon Van Etten was very stripped down, didn't do any older songs that I knew like "Peace Sign" or "A Crime," but sounded great.

But Nick Cave blew the doors off the place. No photos from this one. The Ryman was packed (this sold out in an hour or so), and people were losing their minds when he launched into "From Her to Eternity" and the other older stuff that came after. Certain songs were as good as you'd imagine ... "Red Right Hand," "The Mercy Seat," etc. Some of the new stuff really came off well, too. He's still got it ...

We No Who U R
Jubilee Street
Wide Lovely Eyes
Higgs Boson Blues
From Her to Eternity
Red Right Hand
Stranger Than Kindness
Jack the Ripper
Deanna
Your Funeral... My Trial
God Is in the House
The Weeping Song
The Mercy Seat
Stagger Lee

Encore:
Tupelo
Push the Sky Away