Given that I saw snow flurries last Saturday, spring may seem a long way off, but the prelude to the Nightfall weekly concert series is right around the corner. The third McKay's Road to Nightfall battle of the bands competition will start next weekend at Rhythm & Brews.
Four preliminary, popular-vote rounds will be March 1, 2, 8 and 9. A juried final round on March 15 will determine which local artist will nab $1,000 and a headlining slot once the 25th Nightfall season kicks off on May 3.
Here are the artists Chattanooga Presents has selected to duke it out this year:
• Amber Fults & The Ambivalent Lovers
• Summer Dregs
• Paul Hadfield
• Leon Graham
• Birds With Fleas
• Uncle Lightnin'
• Stereodig
• Slim Pickins
• Jennifer Hope Brumlow
• Blues Hammer Band
• Smooth Dialects
• Ashley & The X's
• Jordan Hallquist Band
• Shark Week
• Woodford Sessions
• Gabriel Newell
• Elk Milk
• Maycomb Criers
• Ryan Oyer Band
• Soul Mechanic
• Blues Frog & The Georgia Rhythm Crickets
• Rigoletto
• Function
• Sinner of Attention
In honor of Nightfall's quarter century, marketing director Jonathan Susman said the series will not be taking a break this year during Riverbend on June 7 and 14. The season will continue uninterrupted every Friday through Aug. 30.
• Earlier this week, Track 29 announced a second killer show for May in alt-rock legends The Flaming Lips, who will play May 4. Tickets are $40 and go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.
Bassnectar's May 12 show sold out in 12 minutes, so it's probably a good idea to have your finger on the purchase button as soon as possible if you want a fighting chance on this one.
• If you've been enjoying a winter exercise hibernation and are interested in getting back in fighting shape while jamming out to some tunes, Thrive Studio, 191 River St., has you covered. On March 27, the fitness club will begin hosting hourlong, music-themed spin classes on the last Wednesday of the month.
First up is Disco Cycle, which is pretty self-explanatory (think Donna Summers, the Bee Gees and sequined track suits). The class is included in any class package, or you can buy a single class for $17. Call 423-800-0676 for more info.
Contact staff writer Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6205. Follow him on Twitter at @PhillipsCTFP.