Though both the Tivoli and Walker theaters are hosting many more shows than in years past, the closing of Track 29 left a huge void for larger club concerts in Chattanooga. Music-lovers who choose to go to concerts to dance or socialize are left constrained by theater seating, and a lot of musical acts are just not suited for theater shows.
Fortunately, that concern was relieved pretty quickly - it was announced in early August 2017 that The Jump Park beside Finley Stadium would be closing its doors to allow for a brand-new music venue. It was also promising to learn that the venue, later penned The Signal, would be tied to the folks who run Marathon Music Works in Nashville. Early expectations were that The Signal would open in late 2017, but, common in new business ventures, the opening was pushed back a little.
In early December, the initial lineup was released for its official opening month, February 2018. Boasting names like St. Vincent, an awarded electropop rocker, it became clear The Signal would indeed shine bright for live music in Chattanooga.
Although most of the acts The Signal is bringing to Chattanooga are no strangers, having performed at Track 29 or other venues in the past, there are a few new highlights.
One of those is Washed Out, a project from Ernest Weatherly Green Jr., a 35-year-old musician from Perry, Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia in Athens, where he resides again today, but after college, he moved back home and, while dabbling in a few music projects, managed to help spark the chillwave movement in 2009 under Washed Out. Reminiscent of the 80's new wave sound, chillwave mixes in modern electronica and, as the name suggests, is more "chill" or trance-like in its musical and vocal presentation. As a pioneer for this movement, Washed Out has gained recognition over the years, releasing three EPs and three albums, with his biggest hit, "Feel it All Around," serving as the opening theme song for the television show "Portlandia."
Currently touring in support of his newest album, "Mister Mellow," Washed Out is set to perform at The Signal Sunday, Feb. 25.
New Music Playlist:
"Wreckless Heart" by Glen Hansard
"All On My Mind" by Anderson East
"Torches" by The Oh Hellos
"Take This Hammer" by Willie Watson
"Unknown (To You)" by Jacob Banks
"Go Down" by Eli Lev
"Offering" by Cults
"Memory of You" by Marc Broussard
"YO! MY SAINT" by Karen O & Michael Kiwanuka
"The Heart Is a Muscle" by Gang of Youths
"You and Me" by Drew & Ellie Holcomb
"Find Yourself" by Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real
"Hard To Say Goodbye" by Washed Out
"Complications" by Robert Finley
"Defibrillation" by The Barr Brothers
"You Loving Me" by Hal Ketchum
Stay tuned for these local shows:
Willie Watson, former Old Crow Medicine Show member and longtime collaborator of David Rawlings and Gillian Welch, will bring his stripped-down folk performance to the stage of Barking Legs Theater on Friday 2/9.
Singer-songwriter Marc Broussard and his "bayou soul" sound will return to Chattanooga, hitting the Revelry Room on Tuesday 2/13 in support of his new album, "Easy to Love."
California-based Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real will make their way to Chattanooga to support Southern rockers Blackberry Smoke at the Tivoli Theatre on Friday 2/23.
After taking an extended break from the country music spotlight, Hal Ketchum returned to the stage a few years back, and will perform at Songbirds Guitar Museum on Thursday 3/1.