Save Your Seat at Miller Plaza

NightFall 2008 boasts top-notch acts

May 07, 2008

Hey, music fans, it’s that time of year again. NightFall returns, and we have to hand it to the Downtown Partnership: This year’s line-up really rocks. Everything from singer/songwriters to funk-rock to bluegrass to roots to pop will be hitting the stage at Miller Plaza May 23 through September 26. Check out some upcoming highlights below, and we’ll be keeping you posted. As always, all shows begin at 7 p.m. with the opening act; headliners take stage at 8. And, as always, they’re free.

May 23
Mike Farris Band
Opening Act: Dismembered Tennesseans
Mike Farris is the former frontman for the Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies, and we’re promised a “deeply spiritual, soulful and potent groove,” along with a 10-piece band.

June 20
Back Door Slam
Opening Act: Dylan Kussman Band
Power trio from the Isle of Man spent the last year on an extensive American tour including Austin City Limits, SXSW, Lollapolooza, the 2008 Bonneroo Festival and support dates with musical legends The Who and Styx. Their contemporary/traditional blues-rock “have conjured comparisons to Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.”

July 11
Bonerama
Opening Act: Up with the Joneses
New Orleans-based brass-funk-rock outfit, Bonerama presents a “trombone summit”. Earned the “Best Rock Band” honor at the 2007 Big Easy Awards.

July 25
Claire Lynch Band
Opening Act: Bluegrass Pharaohs
The Claire Lynch Band is high on the bluegrass world’s A-list, and Lynch’s voice is described by Dolly Parton as “one of the sweetest, purest and best lead voices in the music business today.”

August 8
Michelle Shocked and the Lee Boys
Opening Act: Jennifer Daniels
!!! is all we have to say.

August 15
The Whigs
Opening Act: Bohannons
Double !!! The Whigs have toured the country and recently made appearances on both The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

August 22
Robben Ford
Opening Act: The Verge
Robben Ford achieved rock immortality on Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark and Miles of Aisles albums, and on George Harrison’s only U.S. tour. His own blues albums are also classics.

September 26
Big Al Anderson & the Balls
Opening Act: Lumbar Five
Named “one of the 100 greatest guitarists of the 20th century” by Guitar Player magazine, Big Al has also been Nashville songwriter of the year. He “brings an all-star band to Nightfall for a rare, jaw-dropping public performance.”

Full Line-up
May 23 – Mike Farris Band
May 30 – Karla Bonoff
June 20 – Back Door Slam
June 27 – Groundation
July 4 – Asylum Street Spankers
July 11 – Bonerama
July 18 – Ruthie Foster
July 25 – Claire Lynch Band
Aug 1 – Soulive
Aug 8 – Michelle Shocked
Aug 15 – The Whigs
Aug 22 – Robben Ford
Aug 29 – Hal Ketchum
Sept 5 – Blue Mountain
Sept 12 – Basia Bulet
Sept 19 – Bellville Outfit
Sept 26 – Big Al Anderson and the Balls