Nashville Scene
@nashvillescene.com
Nashville’s alternative-weekly newspaper since 1989. We cover state and local politics, music, food and the arts — and throw the city’s best events. https://www.nashvillescene.com/
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Independents’ Day: Taking a Look at the State of Indie Venues
615 Indie Live is poised to celebrate the city’s independent artists and venues this weekend
www.nashvillescene.com
This week’s cover story: With 615 Indie Live poised to celebrate the city’s independent artists and venues, we take a look at the state of the scene.
In this week's episode of The Aunt B Radio Hour, presented by the Scene and 440 Media: @betsyphillips.bsky.social and @bradengall.bsky.social rave about Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show and laugh at Kid Rock. Now available wherever you get your podcasts.
The Aunt B Radio Hour
Nashville culture, music, news, history and hilarity with Betsy Phillips and Braden Gall
www.nashvillescene.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:00 AM
In this week's episode of The Aunt B Radio Hour, presented by the Scene and 440 Media: @betsyphillips.bsky.social and @bradengall.bsky.social rave about Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show and laugh at Kid Rock. Now available wherever you get your podcasts.
From 'Filipiñana' and 'Josephine' to 'American Pachuco' and 'Nuisance Bear,' here — according to film critic Ken Arnold — are nine of the best films from this year's Sundance.
Nine Standouts From the 2026 Sundance Film Festival
From 'Filipiñana' and 'Josephine' to 'American Pachuco' and 'Nuisance Bear,' here's the best from this year's festival
www.nashvillescene.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:07 PM
From 'Filipiñana' and 'Josephine' to 'American Pachuco' and 'Nuisance Bear,' here — according to film critic Ken Arnold — are nine of the best films from this year's Sundance.
Nashville Electric Service officials and city department heads faced several hours of questioning from Metro councilmembers Tuesday night.
Councilmembers Grill NES Over Winter Storm Response
Special-called meeting brings up questions over utility's communications, tree trimming, critical care
www.nashvillescene.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Nashville Electric Service officials and city department heads faced several hours of questioning from Metro councilmembers Tuesday night.
Music City Food & Wine Festival is back! Presented by FW Publishing Events, MCFW returns in April, bigger and better than ever.
Music City Food & Wine Festival Will Return in April
Expect new offerings and a future fall component for MCFW — which is back bigger and better than ever
www.nashvillescene.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Music City Food & Wine Festival is back! Presented by FW Publishing Events, MCFW returns in April, bigger and better than ever.
Author Emily Yellin discusses how a phone call during the pandemic led her to collaborate with the Rev. James Lawson, one of the civil rights era’s most significant voices.
‘Nonviolent’ Centers One of the Civil Rights Era’s Most Significant Voices
Emily Yellin discusses her collaborative memoir with the late James Lawson, ‘the architect of the nonviolent movement in America’
www.nashvillescene.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Author Emily Yellin discusses how a phone call during the pandemic led her to collaborate with the Rev. James Lawson, one of the civil rights era’s most significant voices.
For years, an industrial buzzing sound has disturbed Nashvillians on both sides of the river. Now, they say, it’s gotten worse.
The Buzzing Sound That Has Disrupted Nashvillians for Years
Cement plant blames cleared trees and East Bank prep for increase in volume
www.nashvillescene.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM
For years, an industrial buzzing sound has disturbed Nashvillians on both sides of the river. Now, they say, it’s gotten worse.
From the Archives: Following Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, we look back on managing editor Alejandro Ramirez's coverage of his 2024 performance at Bridgestone Arena.
Bad Bunny Cowboys Up at Bridgestone Arena
In our live-review column The Spin, the Puerto Rican superstar brought trap, perreo and a touch of celebrity angst to the Nashville stop on his Most Wanted Tour.
www.nashvillescene.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:00 AM
From the Archives: Following Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show, we look back on managing editor Alejandro Ramirez's coverage of his 2024 performance at Bridgestone Arena.
Contributor Amy Stumpfl talks with theater artists Ogemdi Ude and Myssi Robinson ahead of this weekend’s regional premiere of ‘Major’ at OZ Arts.
OZ Arts Welcomes the Regional Premiere of Ogemdi Ude’s ‘Major’
The multifaceted performance is an ode to HBCU majorette troupes
www.nashvillescene.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Contributor Amy Stumpfl talks with theater artists Ogemdi Ude and Myssi Robinson ahead of this weekend’s regional premiere of ‘Major’ at OZ Arts.
Citing increased energy demand from data centers, the Trump-nominated board members at the TVA will meet Wednesday to consider keeping the utility’s major coal-fired assets online.
TVA May Keep Coal, Reversing Phase-Out
Trump-approved board to reconsider coal power plants despite previous TVA plan for 2027 retirement
www.nashvillescene.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Citing increased energy demand from data centers, the Trump-nominated board members at the TVA will meet Wednesday to consider keeping the utility’s major coal-fired assets online.
Reposted by Nashville Scene
In September, Brenda Kay Spitzbarth told state lawmakers she feared her son would be killed in prison. Exactly one month later, her son was stabbed to death. Stories like these are unfortunately far too common.
Proposed state legislation could increase transparency and accountability in correctional facilities plagued by violence.
Families of Incarcerated Tennesseans Make Plea for Prison Reform
Proposed state legislation could increase transparency and accountability in correctional facilities plagued by violence
www.nashvillescene.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:11 PM
In September, Brenda Kay Spitzbarth told state lawmakers she feared her son would be killed in prison. Exactly one month later, her son was stabbed to death. Stories like these are unfortunately far too common.
Reposted by Nashville Scene
Late to the repost party, but stoked to have some coverage of a couple shows among the smorgasbord that is 615 Indie Live.
In our live-review column The Spin: We check out local-rock offerings during 615 Indie Live, including Venus & the Flytraps at Drkmttr and The Sewing Club at The End.
Venus & the Flytraps, Many More Rock Out for 615 Indie Live
Our live-review column takes in performances at Drkmttr and The End during the second annual celebration of Nashville mom-and-pop venues on Feb. 7, 2026.
www.nashvillescene.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Late to the repost party, but stoked to have some coverage of a couple shows among the smorgasbord that is 615 Indie Live.
Contributor JP Olsen gained perspective from a variety of musicians and others in the music business about pushing back against the continuing spread of generative AI in music.
This Machine Eats Music: Pushing Back Against AI in Art
We gain perspective on an array of issues with generative artificial intelligence in creative work.
www.nashvillescene.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Contributor JP Olsen gained perspective from a variety of musicians and others in the music business about pushing back against the continuing spread of generative AI in music.
Proposed state legislation could increase transparency and accountability in correctional facilities plagued by violence.
Families of Incarcerated Tennesseans Make Plea for Prison Reform
Proposed state legislation could increase transparency and accountability in correctional facilities plagued by violence
www.nashvillescene.com
February 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Proposed state legislation could increase transparency and accountability in correctional facilities plagued by violence.
In our live-review column The Spin: We check out local-rock offerings during 615 Indie Live, including Venus & the Flytraps at Drkmttr and The Sewing Club at The End.
Venus & the Flytraps, Many More Rock Out for 615 Indie Live
Our live-review column takes in performances at Drkmttr and The End during the second annual celebration of Nashville mom-and-pop venues on Feb. 7, 2026.
www.nashvillescene.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:01 PM
In our live-review column The Spin: We check out local-rock offerings during 615 Indie Live, including Venus & the Flytraps at Drkmttr and The Sewing Club at The End.
The NES Board on Monday unanimously approved an independent review of its response to Winter Storm Fern and announced a $1 million donation to the city’s storm recovery fund.
NES Board Approves Independent Review Following Winter Storm Fern
Utility will donate $1 million to recovery fund, suspend late fees and disconnects through June
www.nashvillescene.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:53 PM
The NES Board on Monday unanimously approved an independent review of its response to Winter Storm Fern and announced a $1 million donation to the city’s storm recovery fund.
Monday Menu: Make plans for a bar swap, a birthday, a java party and a whiskey tasting for public television. Chris Chamberlain has the details.
Monday Menu: All the Buzz(es) Edition
Make plans for a bar swap, a birthday, a java party and a whiskey tasting for public television
www.nashvillescene.com
February 9, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Monday Menu: Make plans for a bar swap, a birthday, a java party and a whiskey tasting for public television. Chris Chamberlain has the details.
Writes @betsyphillips.bsky.social: It turns out local legend the Rev. Kelly Miller Smith served as an FBI "informant." But signs indicate that he knew exactly what he was doing.
Did a Local Civil Rights Leader Play the FBI for Fools?
It turns out local legend the Rev. Kelly Miller Smith served as an FBI 'informant.' But signs indicate that he knew exactly what he was doing.
www.nashvillescene.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Writes @betsyphillips.bsky.social: It turns out local legend the Rev. Kelly Miller Smith served as an FBI "informant." But signs indicate that he knew exactly what he was doing.
Reposted by Nashville Scene
I wrote about AUDITION (playing at @belcourttheatre.bsky.social) for @nashvillescene.com. www.nashvillescene.com/criticspicks...
Critic's Pick — Romance Is Dead: 'Audition'
Feb. 11 & 14 at the Belcourt
www.nashvillescene.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:46 AM
I wrote about AUDITION (playing at @belcourttheatre.bsky.social) for @nashvillescene.com. www.nashvillescene.com/criticspicks...
Critic's Pick: "Vissepo’s interest in botany and migration is especially powerful in an era of both climate crisis and immigration crackdown, and gives her work a critical edge."
Critic's Pick — Yanira Vissepo: 'On the Mountainside by the River'
Feb. 7-28 at ZieherSmith
www.nashvillescene.com
February 8, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Critic's Pick: "Vissepo’s interest in botany and migration is especially powerful in an era of both climate crisis and immigration crackdown, and gives her work a critical edge."
Critic's Pick: "A thought-provoking piece that simply asks us to be present and to reflect upon the space we occupy."
Critic's Pick — B Chakoian Jones & Becca Hoback: 'The Great Space'
Feb. 8 at the Parthenon
www.nashvillescene.com
February 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Critic's Pick: "A thought-provoking piece that simply asks us to be present and to reflect upon the space we occupy."
This weekend at the @belcourttheatre.bsky.social, as part of the theater’s Romance Is Dead series, you can catch two classics written by legendary crime novelist Raymond Chandler.
Critic's Pick — Romance Is Dead: 'Double Indemnity' & 'Strangers on a Train'
Feb. 6-8 & 10 at the Belcourt
www.nashvillescene.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM
This weekend at the @belcourttheatre.bsky.social, as part of the theater’s Romance Is Dead series, you can catch two classics written by legendary crime novelist Raymond Chandler.
Critic's Pick: "The series involves portraits painted directly on collaged archival materials, and it’s something of a breakthrough in the artist’s already notable career."
Critic's Pick — Woke3: 'I AM … in the studio'
Opening reception 6-9 p.m. Feb. 5 at The Forge; through March 8
www.nashvillescene.com
February 7, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Critic's Pick: "The series involves portraits painted directly on collaged archival materials, and it’s something of a breakthrough in the artist’s already notable career."
Critic's Pick: "With 'Time After Time,' Seapker returns to a seasonally inflected song reference and continues her meditation on the cycles of life."
Critic's Pick — Karen Seapker: 'Time After Time'
Through Feb. 28 at Red Arrow
www.nashvillescene.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Critic's Pick: "With 'Time After Time,' Seapker returns to a seasonally inflected song reference and continues her meditation on the cycles of life."
Critic's Pick: "This live-action exploration of Nintendo’s iconic plumber is both a baffling interpretation of the source material and a jaw-dropping time capsule that has to be seen to be believed."
Critic's Pick — Midnight Movies: 'Super Mario Bros.'
Midnight Feb. 7 at the Belcourt
www.nashvillescene.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Critic's Pick: "This live-action exploration of Nintendo’s iconic plumber is both a baffling interpretation of the source material and a jaw-dropping time capsule that has to be seen to be believed."
Via the Williamson Scene: Studio Tenn's twisty comic mystery 'Deathtrap' is playing through Feb. 22 at The Factory at Franklin. From Amy Stumpfl:
Studio Tenn Continues Its Season With Classic Thriller 'Deathtrap'
The twisty comic mystery runs until Feb. 22
www.nashvillescene.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Via the Williamson Scene: Studio Tenn's twisty comic mystery 'Deathtrap' is playing through Feb. 22 at The Factory at Franklin. From Amy Stumpfl: