I survived Next Big Nashville '07

Seriously, we need to make some t-shirts that say that.  I say "we," because if your Next Big Nashville experience was anything like mine, you earned a shirt too.  Frankly, after the ridiculous fun I've had for the past four nights, I'm pretty surprised I still have a pulse. 

And I'm going to absolutely, positively, hands-down declare Next Big Nashville an amazing success.  The crowds were huge, the beers were cheap, the bands were FANTASTIC and if there wasn't a bunch of great stuff going on this week I'd be using the next five days to recover.  Actually, I'm missing the final night of the festival, which is going on right now at 3rd and Lindsley, because I'm going to sleep as soon as I finish typing. 

First, a quick rundown of the last four days:

Wednesday - the kick-off at the Belcourt wasn't exactly packed, but those of us who started our weekend early were rewarded with an amazing performance by Lylas, who were absolutely made to play that room (Kyle actually told me before the show that it was his dream venue).   Their subdued set was followed by Be Your Own Pet rockers Turbo Fruits, who I enjoyed much more the second time around (probably because this time I knew what to expect).  And the film that started off the evening?  Most of it was hysterical and the ending... well let's just say it made us all as uncomfortable as an art film should.

Thursday - I bounced back and forth between the two venues on Elliston.  Hotpipes were my first band of the night, and though I was running late I got there in time to hear a few excellent new tunes from one of my favorite local bands.  Next it was across the street to the End for Kindergarten Circus, who ROCKED the room like they didn't have a curfew (though clearly they did - at 14, 15 and 16 they had to go to school the next morning!).  Their set kicked all kinds of ass and drew shouts from the crowd - "Sign 'em now!  While they're still cheap!"  The next hour was spent bouncing back and forth between The Clutters and Those Darlin's, before it was time to settle back in at the End for Turncoats. They always deliver and this show was absolutely no exception - and I think they may be Beatle Bob's new favorite band.  Then I caught a bit of both SJ & The Props and Wax Fang before wrapping up the night with Glossary at the End.  Grand Palace rocks.

Friday - after a pretty late night on Thursday I was happy to get a quiet start at the Cannery with Katie Herzig.  Caught part of Emily DeLoach's set next before Tyler James took the stage at Mercy Lounge - you can expect to hear a LOT about that boy soon.  Satellite City was next, and I spent the set thinking how well the tunes would have fit in on my international cafe show.  Then Kyle Andrews perked things up and played an excellent, excellent set with his full band - if you missed it make sure you catch him next weekend at Exit/In.  I caught part of both Brooke Waggoner and Landon Pigg before being wowed by the number of people who know all the words to American Bang's songs.  They've come a LONG way since their turkey day-eve visit to WRVU where we chilled and begged people to come see them on Thanksgiving at Exit/In.  Caught the tail-end of Paper Route's set and I definitely want to try to catch a full show soon - they only thing more massive than their sound was the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd watching them play. 

Saturday - wasn't sure I could do it for another night after Friday's after party antics, but I popped over to Grimey's at 5 to catch Jennifer Niceley's in-store.  God she has an amazing voice.  Seriously go see her at ACL if you're headed to Austin next weekend.  I kicked off the official showcases at Mercy Lounge two hours later with Aaron Robinson, whose live show definitely lived up to the promise of the new tracks he had sent me.  The it was onto the criminally-underused free shuttle bus and over to the End, where I caught And the Relatives, who may be my new favorite local band.  No really, their set kicked some ass.  And they're playing at Springwater on Wednesday night, and you need to go.  I'll remind you later.  The rest of the End lineup rocked too - Heypenny had the most insanely ancient drum machine I've ever heard, plus some new tunes I'm looking forward to hearing with their real drummer around (he was out of town for the night).  All We Seabees (currently holding the my-new-favorite-local-band title) put on the best show I've seen them play yet - no pyrotechnics but some crazy rock-outs, beautiful harmonies and a pretty substantial crowd considering the fact that The Features had just wrapped up their set across town. The Comfies finished off the showcase before we scooted back to Mercy Lounge for the "new new wave after party."  Which was pretty much the most ridiculous show I've ever attended - imagine pretty much all your friends and all of the bands from the festival, drunk off their asses and lit by the afterglow of four nights of back-to-back shows, crammed into one sweaty dance party.  The insanity escalated from Glitter Dragon to Jensen Sportag to the complete and utter awesome absurdity that is Plastic Clap, capped off by Spring Hill Spider Party - who were shut down after three songs cause the party was running so late already.  Seriously, I think I'm still drunk.

I definitely didn't get to see everyone I wanted to but the nicest thing about this festival is that chances are these bands have another show coming up soon.  Tomorrow morning I'm going to point you in the direction of a few great things coming up this week, so check back for that.  But right now I'm totally going to bed.