Live on the Green
Nashville isn’t adoringly nicknamed “Music City” for nothing. The city has a plethora of music venues, outdoor festivals, and up-and-coming bands. Whether you’re in town for a day, a weekend, or 4 years of college, you should be getting a taste of the country, folk, rock, punk, or whatever your ears and your heart desire.
Go to the Bluebird Cafe for an open mic night or an “in the round” and hear new(-ish) artists doing their thing as you enjoy a nice dinner (FYI: this place is family friendly, profit). For more of the nitty gritty of Nashville, head across West End (the obviously large street you took to get to Vanderbilt) to the Exit/In or the End. If you’re more of a country fan and you don’t mind the crowds at the honky tonks, go downtown on Broadway Ave. I suggest Robert’s Western World when the Brazilbillies are playing for some authentic country sound.
However, what I got to do last night, was a good ol’ slice of the real Nashville experience. Live on the Green (LOTG) is an annual multi-week Thursday night extravaganza where local artists and well-known bands come together to put on a free concert each week. Last night featured Fly Golden Eagle, The Apache Relay, and the Alabama Shakes.
My friend and I biked over just as the headlining Alabama Shakes were starting and stayed for their entire set. We were surprised at the size of the crowd, my friends stating that this was much more packed than even when The Wailers came to LOTG. And boy, I do believe it because the stage presence and energy of the Alabama Shakes along with the spectacular voice of Brittany Howard their vocalist was simply wonderful.
The Alabama Shakes — You Ain’t Alone <— check out the song that made it all happen!
Other attractions at LOTG include a variety of Nashville’s famous food trucks (which have a lot of websites dedicated to locating them for foodies) like the Grilled Cheeserie and Pizza DiCarro.
The night was fantastic, we met up with a bunch of other friends (ones who had WALKED to the show from Vandy). At one point we had a swaying circle of 5 while we listened to the soul of the music, which was followed by some twist-esque dancing, running through some fountains, and (for two of us, at least), a short n’ sweet bike ride home.