If music be the food of love, play on.

Nashville is living up to its Music City moniker this week, folks. All over the country, people are gearing up for fall by doublin’ up on pumpkin spice lattes, scouring thrift stores for the perfect baggy burnt orange grandpa cardigan, and trying to pick the perfect date for that instagrammable pumpkin picking excursion, but Nashvillians know what fall is really about: new album releases and a crazy live music tour season. It feels like everyone just released a new record (seriously – your barista, your professor, your landlord – everyone is doing it). There’s so much fabulous live music to be seen in the city this week, so we thought we’d give you some of the highlights and find the perfect show for you! Let’s do this.

Lorde

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IF YOU LIKE:

Reading the magazine “Sassy” in the early 90s, empowering female voices, people with cool accents, dramatic nails, minimalism, chill beats, talent, wishing you could pull off that dark shade of lipstick like the girl at your office, Top 40 with an edge, when people use raptor hands on stage

WHERE:

This one is a bit of a surprise! Lorde will be playing the pretty huge but intimate Grand Ole Opry stage tonight.

WHY:

Lorde is a force to be reckoned with. Wanna feel simultaneously bummed and inspired? Girl is not even out of her teens yet. Catch a performance before she becomes a bonafide legend. Bonus? She’s outspoken and smart as well as talented. Go get em’, Queen Bee (just don’t call her Queen Bey, because you might suffer at the hands of The Beygency).

Colony House

IF YOU LIKE:

Groovy tambourine fills, dancing with a room full of friends, dudes that wear a lot of denim, taking long drives and pretending you’re in a Michael Gondry film, group vocals, bands on the rise, family bands, coming-of-age lyricism, owning a pair of dark wash jeans from Imogene + Willie

WHERE:

This Saturday at Mercy Lounge.

WHY:

These dudes are currently crushing it. The band formerly known as Caleb is undergoing a critically acclaimed renaissance, recently debuting a new name, new record, and a string of high-profile media placements. People are loving “Silhouettes” (literally – People Magazine cannot stop pourin’ out the praise), and it probably won’t be long before these Nashville-bred guys move on to bigger stages. Enjoy the more intimate venues while you can, y’all!

Charles Wigg Walker

IF YOU LIKE:

Old school soul, Motown Monday at The 5 Spot, any biopics about James Brown, Ray Charles, Etta James, etc., cuttin’ a rug, dressing up for parties, Soul Train reruns, American music, doing the mashed potato, breakin’ it down on Twist & Shout, reruns of old TV shows more than new ones

WHERE:

Where great soul music lives in the 615 – The 5 Spot! Check him out on Wednesday.

WHY:

Sad you never got to see Etta James or James Brown live? Well, you can still see their uh-mazing opening act. That’s right, kids…Charles “Wigg” Walker (he got his nickname because his mom said he had so much hair as a baby that it looked like a wig) is one of the remaining performers of the true-blue soul era, and he is still bringin’ it. He’s recorded for Sun Records, witnessed social change within the industry, and shared the stage with pretty much all of the greats. Don’t miss this one.

Randy Rogers Band

IF YOU LIKE:

Everything about Texas, clinging to the last days of summer for dear life, ice cold beer, snap button downs with the sleeves rolled up, two-steppin’, boot-scootin’, distressed jeans, getting dirt under your fingernails on the fourth of July, fallin’ in love under moonlight

WHERE:

Ryman Auditorium on Friday night.

WHY:

Sometimes you just gotta start kissin’ in the dark. Randy Rogers Band is a staple in the Texas country market, and odds are you’ve heard some of their hits. “Kiss Me In The Dark” is pretty much every Southern girl’s summer anthem, and we’d say it’s a safe bet to say their songs were played at weddings all over the country in the last month alone. A rowdy band with heart, Randy Rogers always brings the party.

Joseph Lemay

IF YOU LIKE:

Albums with a story, heavy winter sweaters, listening to folk on vinyl next to a really big fireplace, the dream combo of Ray Lamontagne and John Mayer (at their very best, with something unique and new thrown in), double wide trailers, country livin’, introspection, true love, good things

WHERE:

The High Watt this Tuesday (as in tomorrow)!

WHY:

This is a gooood record, y’all. Seventeen Acres is the story of a Nashville fella who got married, moved to a trailer in the middle of rural Tennessee, and wrote a record about love and personal demons. The album has received praise from Rolling Stone, and Lemay’s lyrics are deeply felt and wholly pleasant. Listen to the record and come hear him perform “Molly, My Girl” live before he blows up.

So get those concert faces ready, Nashville – you’re gonna need them this week. There are so many great shows we couldn’t cover (OK Go, Gabe Dixon, Kim Logan, Tom Petty – the list goes on), so discover something that you’ll love by perusing our live music listings in Wannado. We’ve got you covered!