Gig Guide
The Night Shift, Choir of Babble and Analog Existence
Saturday at Wellston Station
Boasting sounds that range from “soft compositions to raging heavy rock grooves,” it’s really difficult to tell what The Night Shift actually sounds like, so you’ll need to check them out in person. Macon’s Choir of Babble will be babbling all over the stage in unison for the benefit of everyone, bringing a gospel rooted in aggressive tunes with “soft memorable melodies that excite your auditory canal.” Any band that uses “auditory canal” is worth a listen. Analog Existence fills out the holy trinity of local rock bands. I bet they have a new delay pedal. Warner Vegas, get ready to rawk. $8 advance. $10 at the door.
Athville Fest
Saturday at Fresh Produce Music Hall
Athens meets Asheville in a cavernous hallway with a built-in PA system in an effort to facilitate a transcendent musical escapade that brings the people together in the name of rock n roll or metal or noise or experimental goat house Kraut rock inspired by the writing of Chomsky and Nabokov. There’s even mention of barbecue. Derek Poteat stands tall as the lone Ashevillian (not sure if that’s correct, but let’s go with it. It sounds like a Dr. Seuss character), joining the triumvirate of Athenians, Killick Hinds/Michael Pierce duo, Quest Giver and Ancient Whales. It might get weird, but it’ll certainly be a ton of fun. Take a noise dive out of your comfort zone and get your culture on. $5. 9 p.m.
Tavernsong: Beer and Hymns at Bearfoot
Sunday at Bearfood Tavern
Jesus may have turned water into wine, but one cannot survive on fermented grapes alone. Craft beer and the sweet sounds of singing hymns and pop tunes with a community that may or may not darken the door of a traditional church on a regular basis. Event organizers explain that Tavernsong was inspired by “the idea of a liturgy in the Book of Common Prayer called Evensong, a service of evening prayers.” Take this idea, add beer and tunes that soothe and stir the soul and you have Tavernsong. Free. 6 p.m.
Metta Quintet
Sunday at the Douglass Theatre
In celebration of National Jazz Day, the Douglass Jazz Society presents live jazz with Metta Quintet, the official resident ensemble of JazzReach, Inc. The Brooklyn-based quintet is “committed to challenging convention” with a passion that expands the audience's perception of what constitutes a live jazz performance. Free for Douglass Jazz Society Members. $5 for everyone else. 5 p.m.
SUSTO with Parker Gispert (of The Whigs)
Thursday at the Cox Capitol Theatre
Charleston’s SUSTO has played Macon several times, and they return in support of their latest record, “& I’m Fine Today,” a stellar sophomore release. It’s pretty simple: this band is killer and they put on a heck of a show. Parker Gispert fills out a bill of fantastic modern southern music that should not be missed. Come party on a school night. $8-$19. Doors 7 p.m./Show 8 p.m.
Band spotlights by Field Note Stenographers Chris Nylund and Jared Wright/Special to The Telegraph
This story was originally published April 25, 2017 at 3:16 PM with the headline "Gig Guide."