Shoegaze, Folk Rock, Noise, and (Many Forms of) Punk in Knoxville, Tennessee
This is a post about music and listening to it live and in person.
As always I will take a moment to share some thoughts on the past month. I have spent a large percentage of my life in clubs and venues, so when you read this, I hope you don’t take it as hyperbole. I believe 2025 to be one of the best years I’ve spent going to live shows, and April is only just now ending.
The quality of bands choosing Knoxville as a stop on tour has never been higher and I have had some of my favorite nights out in just the past few months. The local acts are better than ever. Just in this post alone there are 7 states represented by touring bands. I think that is incredible. When I think about the drought of fun shows from 2018-2019, I feel so blessed to be a part of this scene here in East Tennessee.
And to that point, I am, after all, a part of this community. I don’t play a ton of shows but I do have two shows coming up that I’d like to share with y’all:
May 4th at Red Panda Deli - Cugino Fratello Sunday Afternoon Sandwiches (DJ SET) from 12-5pm
May 23rd at Remedy Coffee with Collective Action, Banquet and Man I Love Frogs
Both of these are certified Great Events™. I love DJing and I have worked with Kory and Andrew from Cugino Fratello many times in the past. Their take on Italian food is nothing short of delectable, and I will be providing hours of ItaloDisco and Euro Garage / House music on the patio of Red Panda Deli.
The show at Remedy Coffee later in the month is a perfect example of the kind of mixed genre bill I enjoy so much. Hardcore, post rock, emo / screamo and lo-fi beats to-study-to. I use the phrase “something for everyone” a lot but this really is just that: something for everyone.
Okay let’s get right into this months photos!
Total Wife, Abel, and Glad I Didn't Get My Stupid Wish
4-26-25 at Bugbox
Day & Age, Null, and Cloakrooom
4-6-25 at Pilot Light
Postcard Nowhere, Aunt Ant, and Melania Kol
4-10-25 at Tomato Head
Fust, Run 40, and Styrofoam Winos
4-18-25 Pilot Light
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
Live! Hot! Music in YOUR Area
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.
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.