Live! Hot! Music in YOUR Area
it's more likely than you think!
I have spent a decade and a half going to local shows. From tiny spots in Bean Station, Tennessee and house shows to arenas and halls with too many people to count, I have rarely had an experience at a show that was negative. It is my favorite form of entertainment, and (when honed correctly) one of the most powerful forms of communication and expressions of art. There has never been a time in East Tennessee when live music has been as fun and interesting as it is right now.
I feel like I repeat this often, but most weekends these days, it’s impossible to see every set I want to see. There’s enough going on that I often find myself having to decide between a few shows because there’s something good going on at multiple venues.
And I have to say it: that is a good thing. A wonderful thing.
I really only have to look back as far as 2019 to remind myself of how good we have it now. That year, after 5+ years of solid local bands, an active scene, plenty of community, good venues, it all felt like it was unraveling, even before the pandemic set in. Venues were closing, bands were splitting, scenes and communities were losing organizers and homebases. I took fewer photos at live shows in 2019 than any other year since I’ve been active.
On the precipice of Big Ears and What For?, I just wanted to share some of my last 6 weeks or so in shows. We are so back. We have a community member taking the time to create calendars for each week listing every show in the Knoxville area, killer shows happening in the Tri-Cities area at the VFW and Hideaway, and we have more interesting and fun bands than ever before that cover nearly every genre of music.
Crowds are really coming out, bands are ripping amazing sets, venues are valuing peoples time —these past two years have really set the bar for what live music could have always been in East Tennessee, and I’m happy to be a part of it and document it.
Enjoy the photos!
Deceit, Fliora, Chunked, On My Life at VFW POST 4933
2-9-25
Serial Baby (solo), Donttellnora, DJe4, Siren Sounds, Bases 2003 HOUSE SHOW
2-14-25
I've Never Been Here Before, Purity Control, Glad I Didn't Get My Stupid Wish at Pilot Light
2-21-25
Full Live Set:
Retribution, Chained, Deceit, Pressure Point, Belljar at Remedy Coffee
3-9-25
Banquet, Stupid Future, Worm at Pilot Light
3-14-25
Run40 (solo) & Dogwood Tales at Pilot Light
3-22-25
Well, that’s it for this week! I hope you enjoyed the music and photos! If you’re looking for found media, please check out my page on Archive.org for the full list of digitized media. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message right here or drop a comment below. If you haven’t already, please check out the suggested posts below! or any of my other previous posts here. Thanks so much for checking out this week’s edition of Diptych!
See you soon!
—Forrest
Three Shows
The past week has been a real ride as far as live music goes, so I’d like to share some photos I made while attending three wonderful shows. From down home folk to funky garage rock and everything in between, I really do mean it when I say that the music scene in Knoxville, Tennessee has something for everyone. Live music for me, has always been one of the easiest ways to get some inspiration or spark back to channel into other creative projects. I feel energized and like I've used my time well.
Noise Night, Robfest & So Many More Local Shows!
Springtime here in Tennessee means fairer weather and more opportunities for good shows. Bands hit the road again, more people feel like being out late, etc. For me, I’m most efficient with my time and productive during the colder months of the year, but once spring and summer hit and the days start getting a little longer, my social battery never depletes.
The Past Two Weeks Have Been Incredible
In 2019, I was ready to relocate cities. Good shows were few and far between, there was a rift in my friend group, nothing really felt right. I spent all of 2020 both hoping that the scene in East Tennessee would get back to normal as soon as possible, while bracing myself for the worst. Honestly, I didn’t think we would ever recover.
Great shots!