NBN SoundLand: Day 2

Day two of SoundLand, presented by Next Big Nashville presented more musical options, more musical genres, and more Nashville locations.

Following the work day, festival VIPs schmoozed at the super-swanky new location of Virago prior to the music start, where they enjoyed complimentary drinks and food courtesy of SunTrust, The Orchard, and Loeb & Loeb. As an aside, aren’t these M Street restaurants (see also: Tavern, Kayne Prime, Whiskey Kitchen) just gorgeous?

The crowds flocked to the 12th Avenue Block Party, where headlining bands were being featured on an outdoor stage at the end of the street. Beer vendors and food trucks were abundant. Neighboring venues 12th & Porter and Mai got in on the action as well, with sets from Nashville’s Kyle Andrews and Uncle Skeleton at 12&P and How I Became The Bomb and Boss of Nova at Mai. On the Block Party stage, Cults played upbeat, hazy pop that included the single “Go Outside.” Foster the People, enjoying a victory lap following the breakout success of their hit “Pumped Up Kicks,” delivered an energetic set of irresistibly quirky, danceable electronic pop.

Over at Mercy Lounge and Cannery Ballroom, festival organizers had underestimated the demand for Austin, Texas-based electro wizards Ghostland Observatory and a mob had formed outside the building when the room reached capacity. By the time we were permitted entrance, Ghostland’s set was more than half finished. But for a brief, 30 minute stretch, late-arriving audience members were rewarded with pummeling, thumping electro-funk, and a seizure-inducing laser and strobe light setup. Following Ghostland’s set, downtempo musician/DJ Bonobo was playing upstairs at Mercy Lounge.

Nearby at the Station Inn, Black Crowes founding member Rich Robinson, and My Morning Jacket’s Carl Broemel played sets before cellist/singer Ben Sollee. Rhode Island’s The Low Anthem turned in a late set over at the Basement.

On tonight’s itinerary are two Alabama boys: Americana fixture Jason Isbell and rapper Yelawolf.