Indie folk, world, blues and jam bluegrass dot Chattanooga's Nightfall Concert Series lineup for 2019

The annual Road to Nightfall battle of the bands starts Friday, Feb. 22, in The Granfalloon, 400 E. Main St. Six bands will compete in five preliminary rounds. / Facebook.com
The annual Road to Nightfall battle of the bands starts Friday, Feb. 22, in The Granfalloon, 400 E. Main St. Six bands will compete in five preliminary rounds. / Facebook.com

Like the previous 31 lineups, this year's Nightfall Concert Series schedule is a mix of genres, from indie folk, world and blues music to jam bluegrass, soul, rock and country. It kicks off May 3 with Aaron Lee Tasjan and concludes Aug. 30 with The True Loves.

As in past years, local artists will serve as the opening acts. Local band The Fridge, winners of the Road to Nightfall competition, will headline on June 14 with fellow local artist Danimal Planet opening.

Carla Pritchard, owner of Chattanooga Presents, which produces the series, said in an e-mail that the free Friday night shows will use the recently renovated Miller Park to add some additional amenities for fans.

"The music will still be held on the Miller Plaza stage [the Miller Park stage isn't equipped with sound or lights], so it will have the same feel as usual. However, we are excited about using the new space at Miller Park for additional vendors, artists and family oriented activities like [the Chattanooga Football Club] inflatable soccer field and lawn games."

The 2019 artist lineup:

May 3: Aaron Lee Tasjan - Full of indie folk grit, this songwriter has a big personality and is yet to be defined by one sound or genre. Opener: Oweda

May 10: Harper & Midwest Kind - Australian singer/songwriter Peter Harper creates a heady mix of original world, blues and roots music, featuring the didgeridoo. Opener: Aaron Carney Band

May 17: Jacob Jolliff Band - A member of the progressive jam bluegrass outfit Yonder Mountain String Band, this champion mandolin player will perform with his own ensemble of virtuoso string players. Opener: New Grass Express

May 24: Ruen Brothers - This Northern England duo makes moody, twangy-heavy, 50's-style rock (think Roy Orbison with maybe a little Elvis). Opener: Jason Lyles Band

June 7: The Daybreaks - A Nashville-based indie band with harmony-rich vocals, instrumental prowess and synth-heavy pop. Opener: 3's Company

June 14: The Fridge - Winner of this year's Road to Nightfall competition, Chattanooga's own The Fridge dishes up electro-psychedelic pop. Opener: Danimal Planet

June 21: Jessy Wilson - A Grammy-nominated songwriter, Jessy has written for John Legend and toured alongside Alicia Keys and The Black Keys belting out her mix of soul and hip-hop and roots music. Opener: FBI Reloaded

June 28: The Claudettes - Windy City piano blues mixed with full-throttle rockabilly and punk, jazz-age echoes of burlesque and the sultriness of '60s pop. Opener: Amber Fults

July 5: Shammar Allen & the Underdawgs - Hailing from the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Allen is lead vocalist and trumpeter of this band infused with jazz, hip-hop, rock, funk rhythms and blues. Opener: Danny Polo

July 12: Israel Nash - A cosmic country artist who blends elements of rock and country with undercurrents of rural folk and Americana. Opener: Sharla June

July 19: Low Down Brass Band - Brandishing a powerful brass frontline with a funky percussive backline, LDB combines the poetic ferocity of Billa Camp with stellar vocal harmonies and adventurous improvisation. Opener: D.L. Yancy

July 26: Blair Crimmins & the Hookers - This ain't your great-grandfather's ragtime, and Blair Crimmins isn't any quaint Dixieland revivalist. He's a rock star who offers a boisterous good time. Opener: Sing Akadamie

Aug. 2: Tameca Jones - Predicted as the next big name to break out of Texas, this soul-inspired Austin artist has been building momentum since her festival debut at the 2015 Austin City Limits Festival. Opener: Katrina Barclay

Aug. 9: Front Country - This band realizes it's probably a stretch to call what they're doing bluegrass, even though they use traditional wooden instruments. String-band pop is more like it. Opener: Slim Pickins

Aug. 16: YARN - Brooklyn-based Alt Country band Yarn weaves roots music idioms into a fresh sound that turns on hipsters and fans of country music alike. Opener: Josh Driver Band

Aug. 23: The Happy Fits - A fun-loving indie band that mixes rocking guitars and electric cello to create a youthful and chaotic frenzy of catchy melodies and raw instrumentals. Opener: Spinster (pending)

Aug. 30: The True Loves - An accomplished 8-piece instrumental soul group out of Seattle, bringing together undeniable grooves and classic soul sounds. Opener: Dr. B & the Ease

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