February may be the shortest month, but that doesn’t mean it’s short on chances to see live music. For proof, look just up the road, to Pelham, Tennessee, where The Caverns continues to attract big names to the area. The cave venue’s February lineup includes three big-name bluegrass bands – and that’s just the start of the month.
Friday, Feb. 1: Leftover Salmon
Self-described as “polyethnic Cajun slamgrass,” Colorado’s Leftover Salmon mixes bluegrass with a lot of other genres, delivering an unrestricted style of music. The band played a huge part in expanding such “newgrass” into an even more experimental art form, influencing many other artists. Known for their high-energy live shows for the past 30 years, the group is out on tour again in support of their 2018 album, “Something Higher.”
Saturday, Feb. 2: Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
While he was recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ricky Skaggs’ roots run very deep in the bluegrass scene. When he performs with Kentucky Thunder, the style leans more to the traditional side of the genre, with lots of twang, harmonies and talented instrumental breaks. Skaggs continues to build on his legacy through constant touring and collaborating with many other talented musicians along the way.
Sunday, Feb. 3: Trampled by Turtles
Hailing from Duluth, Minnesota, Trampled by Turtles have perfected their brand of bluegrass music over the past 15 years, switching gears between Americana and folk-style ballads to upbeat, almost punk-like bluegrass anthems. They recently performed in Chattanooga at the Moon River Music Festival, and are heading back to the area as they continue to tour in support of their 2018 album, “Life Is Good on the Open Road.”
UPCOMING SHOWS
Chattanooga indie rock band Telemonster is returning from a long hiatus to celebrate the release of their new album, “Introspecter (Part 1),” with a show at Songbirds Guitar Museum on Saturday, 2/2, with Elk Milk and Psychic Dungeon.
Young the GiantCalifornia-based alternative rock band Young the Giant is out on tour in support of their new album, “Mirror Master,” and will make a stop in Chattanooga on Tuesday, 2/12, for a performance at The Signal.
Australian-born country singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers will visit Songbirds Guitar museum on Saturday, 2/23, for an anticipated intimate show.
Local indie pop band The Mailboxes will perform at Songbirds Guitar Museum with Spinster on Saturday, 3/2, before heading out on a musical hiking tour in support of their upcoming new album.
NEW MUSIC PLAYLIST
“Ill Wind” by Radiohead
“Jesus and Elvis” by Hayes Carll
“Closer Love” by D.L. Yancey II
“Mad in the Night” by Telemonster*
“Evermore” by Leftover Salmon+
“Wolves” by Ryan Bingham
“Homeboy” by SUSTO
“Superposition” by Young the Giant*
“Roll In My Sweet Baby’s Arms” by Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder*
“Sleeping With the Enemy” by BbyMutha & Kindora
“When the Sun Begins to Shine” by Michael Franti & Spearhead
“Campfire Song” by Kasey Chambers*
“I Went to Hollywood” by Trampled by Turtles*
“When They Get Older” by Okey Dokey
“Do It Alone” by Greensky Bluegrass
“All I Know” by The Mailboxes*
* Bands with an asterisk are playing in Chattanooga this month.