The legendary Exit/In has been one of Nashville's premier music venues for just over three decades. Though its heyday has come and gone, it is arguably still the best spot in town to catch a live act.
As for the types of acts you might see at the Exit/In, well, pretty much anything goes. Traditionally, it has been known as a rock club, but the establishment has always booked a rather diverse range of artists. From local favorites to national headliners, you really never know who will show up on the schedule.
This mid-sized venue has a giant reputation and it's sometimes hard to separate the myth from the reality. Of course, when you come to watch a band, this has little practical influence
...Read More
The legendary Exit/In has been one of Nashville's premier music venues for just over three decades. Though its heyday has come and gone, it is arguably still the best spot in town to catch a live act.
As for the types of acts you might see at the Exit/In, well, pretty much anything goes. Traditionally, it has been known as a rock club, but the establishment has always booked a rather diverse range of artists. From local favorites to national headliners, you really never know who will show up on the schedule.
This mid-sized venue has a giant reputation and it's sometimes hard to separate the myth from the reality. Of course, when you come to watch a band, this has little practical influence on your evening, but there is an aura that hangs inside this bare bones, square listening hall. Thirty years of sweat, beer and cigarette smoke have seeped into the woodwork to mingle with the ghosts of countless nights with a virtual who's who of American music culture. Somehow this vibe is present, no matter what band you might be seeing on a given night.
When this club opened in 1971, one of the first relative unknowns to land a gig was Jimmy Buffett. He was a regular in those days, as was a younger John Hiatt. The comedian, Steve Martin, was a frequent face on the Exit/In stage during the seventies. His shows on this venerable Nashville stage have become the stuff of legend and his own autobiography cites the Exit/In as being the place where he truly honed his skills.
These days you can catch an interesting array of acts. Billy Block's Western Beat Revival is a weekly feature, on Tuesday nights. Western Beat showcases some top notch acts in the arena of alternative country and Americana style twang music. This show gives you a look at multiple artists each night, from up and comers to established names.
The weekends typically bring in the larger name national acts, catering generally to the younger crowds. Even if you don't recognize a name on the marquee right off the bat, it may be worth investigating. You'd be surprised at the quality of the some of the regional acts that often garner quite a cult following. Basically, if they're a cool band, they'll eventually play the Exit/In.
If you are a music aficionado, you may want to visit the club's website. It makes for some good rock history reading and you can impress the local music crowd with your knowledge when you are in town. Trust me, there's not a musician or music listener in Nashville that isn't familiar with the Exit/In and they all have a story. It's just one of those places.
Read Less