If you somehow missed all of the hype surrounding one of Nashville’s biggest indie events, you may need to check your hearing and keep your ear a little closer to the ground so you aren’t missing the coolest part about living your best life in Nashville, Tennessee. East Nashville Underground brought their A-game and a seemingly endless supply of free booze to The East Room on Friday and Saturday nights, selling out their weekend event for the first time in ENU history.
Though we could make it to only the Friday night show at the Underground (as we had a date with the mainstream over at The Ryman on Saturday night), East Nashville Underground’s place in the Nashville indie community is undeniable. Highlighting independent bands just as heavily as the independent music community itself, Kristyn and Jared Corder have created an event that defines the romance of being involved in the local music scene in Music City. From new fans to OG Undergrounders to industry folk, it’s safe to say that no venue in town housed as many sweaty hugs and eyeball kisses as The East Room did over the weekend.
On Friday, doors opened at 9 and the stage featured the likes of Cult Logic, Vinyl Thief, All Them Witches, Alanna Royale, Machines Are People Too, and Magnolia Sons. All of the bands were predictably stellar, and it was especially thrilling to finally catch Machines Are People Too live. Each set made trying to plan a bathroom break feel like the ultimate music fan’s predicament, the easiest solution being just resolving to hold it and concentrating on dancing.
Though we all try our best to broaden the scope of this tight-knit music community that is on the precipice of incredible things at an amazing time, the Corders have created something that is simultaneously intimate and all-inclusive. From their understanding of how to run a solid music event as business owners to their clear love of music as fans themselves, the payoff is something we all benefit from with each passing season of East Nashville Underground. We attempted to live tweet the vibe from The East Room on Friday night, but it’s difficult to capture that kind of energy in just 140 characters. But if you missed out on the chance to make it inside or didn’t catch a hug from the guy who was giving them to, seriously, just everybody, mark your calendar; East Nashville Underground’s doors will re-open on May 10th-11th, and we intend to see you there.