It’s all about the music, and Day 3 of Next Big Nashville’s SoundLand offered a ton of sounds from regional and national artists.
Prior to the shows, industry movers and shakers got not one, but two, VIP parties to check out during the day: a lunch BBQ sponsored by ASCAP at the new Jackalope Brewery on 8th Ave. S. (picture included), and a Nashville Scene-sponsored party at the Gibson Showroom on Church St.
There was also more music than one person without the ability to bend space and time could possibly see. Over at the Cannery Ballroom, folkie Robert Ellis laid down a quick set, followed by a soulful, guitar-heavy group of songs from Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit. Singer/songwriter Justin Townes Earle played the last performance slot downstairs in the Cannery Ballroom, and Nashville’s Madi Diaz closed out the night upstairs at the Mercy Lounge. Over at Jack White’s Third Man Records performance space, Detroit punk-rockers Human Eye were bashing out a noisy symphony, followed by oddball comedian Neil Hamburger.
Yelawolf. Photo: Next Big Nashville
Just past 11 pm, Mississippi rapper Big K.R.I.T. was finishing up his fist-pumping set at the 12th Ave Block Party stage. The main event was Alabama-based rapper Yelawolf (who lived in Antioch for a stretch), who spits rapid-fire machine gun raps and has the pale, tattooed appearance of a Nine Inch Nails band-member circa 1995. Following Yelawolf, local DJ Wick-It kept the party going by spinning dance-friendly dubstep and hip-hop tracks.
One night left, and a plethora of local heroes are on the bill.
