The Basement

What to Expect

The Basement is a small, dark room with low ceilings, tucked underground beneath an office building on 8th Avenue South. It's been running since 2005, founded by Mike Grimes and Geoff Donovan as a stage for local artists. Tuesday's New Faces Night, a showcase built specifically for new Nashville talent, has been part of the lineup since the beginning. There's standing room for around 150 to 200 people packed close to the stage. The room has a real track record with artists like Cage the Elephant, Kacey Musgraves, and Brothers Osborne all having played here on their way up. Metallica, Keith Urban, Deer Tick, and Emmylou Harris have each played secret underplays in this tiny room, on separate occasions. Bookings run wider than straight rock and country. Recent calendars have included comedy shows, EDM nights, and variety bills alongside the usual touring acts. It's a 21-and-up venue that shares ownership with its larger sister room, The Basement East. Street parking is available nearby.