Hippies & Cowboys / Otis [Small Room-Downstairs]

From their early recordings in the legendary studios — such as FAME in Muscle Shoals, East Avalon, and Noise Block—to their explosive live performances, Hippies And Cowboys have quickly become one of the most talked-about rising acts in the Southern rock revival. Their debut album, Live at Fox and Locke (2023), captured the raw energy of their live show, earning critical acclaim and setting the stage for their breakout. The follow-up EP,Fork in the Road, solidified their reputation with a gritty, hard-hitting collection of songs that showcase their deep Southern roots and undeniable musicianship. Hippies and Cowboys has also been the house band at Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk on Broadway in downtown Nashville for numerous years which has allowed them an extensive repertoire of songs and abilities. Hippies And Cowboys have taken their high-energy show across the country, playing at major festivals like Pilgrimage Festival and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Revival. They’ve shared the stage with rock and country royalty, opening for acts like Goo Goo Dolls, Blackberry Smoke, Atlanta Rhythm Section, and even Bon Jovi at the grand opening of his Nashville bar. Their relentless touring schedule and electrifying performances have built them a loyal following, earning them a reputation as one of the most exciting live bands on the circuit. In 2025, they are slated to perform at Chinook Festival, Pilgimage Festival, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Revival, WEFest, and much more with plans to tour Europe in October 2025. Their rise hasn’t gone unnoticed—Hippies And Cowboys have been featured in Rolling Stone, People Magazine, and Paste Magazine, solidifying their place as a band to watch in the evolving Southern rock landscape. As they continue to carve their own path, Hippies And Cowboys are proving that the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll is alive and well, and they’re here to take it to the next level.

Tomarum / Saidan / Epoch of Unlight [Small Room-Downstairs]

Black metal’s relationship with technical proficiency is not a very deep one. Sure, there are bands whose guitarists certainly know what they’re doing as their fingers dance across the fretboard, but for the most part black metal’s tenets don’t really leave room for showing off just how good one might be at their instrument of choice (other than drums. Blast away!). That isn’t to say there isn’t any room for this idea of “being good at one’s instrument,” though, and Georgia progressive black metal duo Tómarúm certainly have a strong grasp of musicianship atop black metal’s songwriting and riff-based core. Featuring multiple guitar solos (even a huge fretless bass solo!) and dazzling, technical riffs as well as more traditional black metal blasting affairs, “In This Empty Space” from upcoming Tómarúm album Ash in Realms of Stone Icons shows that black metal can be a musician’s genre.