NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nashville's independent music scene will take center stage once again on Saturday, January 30, 2027, as 615 Indie Live returns with an expanded lineup of 21 independent stages, more than 50 local artists, and a new Community Resource Fair. Presented for the third year by Music Venue Alliance Nashville (MVAN) and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC), the citywide festival continues to grow while staying true to its mission of celebrating and supporting the independent venues and local artists that make Music City so special.
The 50+ artists announced in the first wave of the lineup represent a wide-ranging cross-section of Nashville’s diverse local music scene, spanning rock, Americana, country, hip-hop, jazz, bluegrass, soul, electronic music, and more.
Highlights from this this year's lineup include The Wild Feathers, Nashville's acclaimed harmony-driven americana rock band; Michigander, the indie rock project of singer-songwriter Jason Singer, known for soaring melodies and emotionally charged anthems; Concurrence, a boundary-pushing instrumental duo weaving together jazz, improvisation and electronic influences; ZDAN, a rising grammy-nominated rock artist delivering high-energy, guitar-driven performances; Laney Jones & The Spirits, whose electrifying blend of roots rock, blues and psychedelic influences has earned a devoted following; and a special bluegrass birthday bash hosted by Tim O’Brien featuring a who’s who list of special guests.
The first wave of artists announced today include: Ace Monroe, Afton Wolfe, ARHT, Arts Fishing Club, Big Guy & The Very Large Men, Candi Jenkins, Certainly So, Charles Wigg Walker, Cherry Vance, Common People, Concurrence, Connor Clark and Blue Rhythm Revival, Corey Parsons, Don Aliquo Quartet feat. Marc Payne & Special Guest Clay Jenkins, East Nash Grass, EG Vines, FENIK, Jarren Blair, KIANA NADINE, Kid Pastel, Knyghts b2b Hayes, Lamarr Lyons, Laney Jones and The Spirits, LOMBARDY, Megg, Michigander, MOTOSQUID, MT Tricky, Multi Ultra, Paul McDonald & The Mourning Doves, Push Back, Sahara Moon, Shayna Steele: The Wilshire Project, Snorkeler, Terror Pigeon, The Great Outdoors, The Retrograde, The Wild Feathers, Tim O'Brien's Bluegrass Birthday Bash for Sean Sullivan featuring Tim O'Brien, Sister Sadie, Dave Ferguson, Maya de Vitri, Shelby Means, Samson Grisman, Pat McLaughlin, Laura Weber White, Guthrie Trapp and many more, Under High Street, Willa Mae, William Davenport, ZDAN, Zeus and ZG Smith.
Unlike traditional festivals 615 Indie Live is a decentralized experience, inviting fans to explore Nashville's independent music venues throughout the city, discovering new artists and experiencing the distinctive character of each room along the way. For just $20, attendees can enjoy performances across any participating venues, subject to capacity, directly supporting the local music ecosystem.
“Nashville’s local music scene is unlike any other in the world, and Music City wouldn’t be Music City without our independent music venues and local artists,” said Deana Ivey, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “They are the heart of our music community and a big part of what makes Nashville such an authentic and special destination. We’re proud to present 615 Indie Live for the third year, celebrating the diversity of our music scene while supporting the venues and artists who shape the sound of Music City.”
2027 Participating Venues
The festival's footprint continues to expand in 2027, with the Analog at Hutton, Brown's Diner, Robert's Western World and Skinny Dennis joining the growing roster of participating venues. The additions bring even more of Nashville's musical history, neighborhood character and genre diversity into the festival experience.
The full list of venues participating in 615 Indie Live include: 3rd and Lindsley, Acme Feed & Seed, Analog at Hutton, Anzie Blue, Brown's Diner, Cannery Hall, Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge, DRKMTTR Collective, Eastside Bowl, Music Makers Stage at Delgado Guitars, Night We Met, Robert's Western World, Rudy's Jazz Room, Skinny Dennis, The 5 Spot, The Basement, The East Room and The End.
"Every year, 615 Indie Live gets a little bigger, but what excites me most is how much more we're able to do for Nashville's independent music community," said Chris Cobb, Director of Music Venue Alliance Nashville. "We're bringing more venues into the fold, giving more local artists a platform, expanding our curator partnerships, and now creating a space where the people who make this music scene possible can connect with organizations and resources that support them. But at its core, the mission hasn't changed. We want people walking into independent venues, discovering incredible local artists, and understanding why these spaces are so essential to Nashville's identity and future."
New Community Resource Fair & Conversations Expands Festival's Impact
Building on the festival's spirit of community, 615 Indie Live will introduce a Community Resource Fair & Conversations on Saturday, January 30, from 12 to 4 p.m. at The 58 at Eastside Bowl.
The gathering will connect fans, artists, venues and music industry partners with local nonprofit organizations, valuable resources and opportunities to learn from one another.
Featuring informative panel discussions and resource tables hosted by local nonprofits and community partners, the event will provide attendees an opportunity to explore programs and services supporting Nashville's music community, build relationships and engage in meaningful conversations about the opportunities and challenges facing the local music ecosystem.
The addition reflects a growing vision for 615 Indie Live, one that not only celebrates Nashville's independent music community on stage but also strengthens the connections, innovations, and support systems that sustain it year-round.
Celebrating the Many Sounds of Music City
Returning to help shape the festival's musical programming are independent curator partners Bluegrass Nashville, WNXP, Lovenoise, and Polychrome Ranch, joined this year by Backstage Nashville, WMOT, and La Cara Productions.
These curators play important roles in Nashville's music ecosystem, championing artists, cultivating audiences and building communities around a wide range of musical genres. Their involvement helps ensure 615 Indie Live reflects the breadth of Nashville's creative talent, including scenes and sounds that often exist beyond the city's mainstream music industry spotlight.
"Nashville's music scene is so much bigger and more diverse than most people realize," said Rick Rodriguez of La Cara Productions. "There are incredible artists and communities here representing so many different sounds, cultures and musical traditions, and they're all part of what makes this city special. 615 Indie Live creates a platform for those artists to reach new audiences, while encouraging fans to step outside their usual circles and experience just how much this city has to offer."
For participating artists, the festival is also an opportunity to celebrate the independent venues that helped shape their careers and continue to give Nashville's music community a place to grow.
"Independent venues are where bands like ours cut our teeth, hone our sound, and build a true connection with our community," said Seth Rentfrow of Lombardy. "There's nothing like stepping onto a stage in a packed local room and feeling that energy coming back at you. Nashville wouldn't be Nashville without its independent stages, so we can't wait to celebrate them alongside an incredible lineup of friends."
A Festival With a Mission Beyond the Music
While 615 Indie Live has quickly become one of Nashville's most exciting events for local music discovery, its purpose extends well beyond a single day of performances.
The festival was created to drive business to independent venues during a historically slower time of year, introduce new audiences to the city's original artists, and raise critical funds to support Nashville's independent music community.
The festival also serves as Music Venue Alliance Nashville's largest annual fundraiser, supporting its ongoing advocacy and efforts to protect and strengthen independent venues. Additionally, the festival raises funds for local independent radio station WNXP, with WMOT joining as a new beneficiary in 2027.
615 Indie Live will take place Saturday, January 30, 2027.
Tickets are officially on sale now for $20 (including fees). The affordable ticket price is made possible through the support of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp, along with partners that include Amazon Music, Tennessee Entertainment Commission, Vanderbilt University, National Independent Venue Foundation, BMI, Nashville International Airport, Tennessee Titans, Symphonic, Tour Tech, and Tune Hatch. Gray Line Tennessee will provide complimentary trolley shuttles between select venues, and Metropolis will provide discounted parking to fans, making it easier and more convenient for fans to explore more venues and discover more artists throughout the event. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.
For the full lineup, participating venues, app download, and tickets, visit 615indie.live.
About MVAN
Music Venue Alliance Nashville is a 501c6 nonprofit organization representing Nashville’s treasured independent venues, promoters, and festivals. MVAN is committed to retaining, nurturing and advocating for the fragile and complex ecosystem of Nashville’s renowned music scene. As an organization, MVAN works tirelessly to enlighten, educate and heighten awareness of what it means to be independent and, in this mission of advocacy and appreciation, to ensure many more decades of independent business success and prosperity. MVAN was created in 2017 amidst corporatization of the Nashville live music scape to rally both state and local support and help keep the doors open for many of Nashville’s independent venues. Most recently, the organization was instrumental in the creation of Tennessee’s first statewide Live Music Fund, the first of its kind in the country.
About Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp
The mission of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City is to maximize the economic contribution of the convention and tourism industry to the community by developing and marketing Nashville as a premier destination. Visit the NCVC’s website at www.visitmusiccity.com and follow us on social media @VisitMusicCity.
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